Photo caption: Items collected for flood protection project (Hidden Stories of the Bioverse by Andrea Hoff, in partnership with Dixon Elementary School, 2024).
Richmond’s Public Art Program is inviting applications from eligible community-based organizations to participate as partners in the upcoming 2026–2027 Engaging Artists in Community Program.
This program offers a unique opportunity for non-profit organizations, service groups, community associations, libraries, and schools to collaborate with a professional artist or artist team on a creative project that addresses relevant issue or topics of concern.
Commissioned projects will aim to engage culturally diverse and multigenerational audiences and each will award $12,000 to the commissioned artist or artist team. Groups with an arts-focused mandate are not eligible to apply.
Last year’s projects addressed ecological history (Visions of Biophilia by Desirée Patterson, in partnership with the Richmond Nature Park Society); neuro-diversity among youth (Express Yourself by Keely O’Brien, in partnership with Aspire Richmond and Richmond Public Library); and flood protection (Hidden Stories of the Bioverse by Andrea Hoff, in partnership with Dixon Elementary School.) Learn more at the link below.
Selected community partners can provide participants with suitable space for creative activities and administrative support. Artist projects may include, but are not limited to, public performances, sculptures, participatory art installations, hands-on art activities, workshops, exhibitions, digital media-based artwork and other socially-engaged art forms.
Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is Thursday, November 13, 2025 with year-long projects to begin as early as June 2026. Selected applicants will be notified in November 2025 and City staff will work with applicants to develop the artist opportunity and participate in the artist selection process.
Interested organizations are encouraged to contact PublicArt@richmond.ca or call 604-204-8671 in advance of submitting an application.
To access the PDF application form, visit richmond.ca/EngagingArtists.
For more information on last year’s projects, visit: