Communities

We bring people together through creativity and culture.

Our work adds vibrancy to the borough, fosters pride in place, and supports artists and communities to connect, reflect, and collaborate. Arts Development is about creating the right conditions for creativity to thrive. It means supporting artists, organisations, and communities to:

• Create and share their work
• Take part in cultural activity
• Build sustainable careers
• Benefit from the arts

It’s not just about events and exhibitions—it’s about nurturing a strong and sustainable creative ecosystem.

Why arts development matters

Richmond upon Thames has:

• A strong cultural identity
• High levels of community participation
• A mix of professional artists, grassroots groups, and heritage organisations

Arts development helps to:

• Support sustainable careers for artists
• Deliver high-quality cultural experiences
• Improve access and inclusion
• Boost wellbeing, tourism, and local pride
• Inspire innovation and new ideas

Over the next three years, we will focus on:

Supporting artists and organisations

• Artist opportunities
• Helping artists and cultural organisations grow their skills, networks, and opportunities.
• Access and Participation
• Making sure everyone can take part in and benefit from the arts.

Creative practice

• Providing space, development opportunities, and pathways to funding.

Partnerships

• Connecting artists, communities, organisations, and funders.

Culture and community

• Using the arts to support wider priorities such as health and wellbeing, education, placemaking, and sustainability.

Our focus areas

We will prioritise:

• Visual arts
• Dance
• Music
• Theatre
• Digital and combined arts
• Festivals and events

Our aims

We aim to:

• Position Richmond upon Thames as a nationally recognised centre for culture, creativity, and innovation
• Develop Orleans House Gallery as a key creative hub for artists and audiences
• Strengthen and connect the borough’s music scene, building on its rich heritage

How we will deliver this

We will:

• Support a strong network of local visual artists
• Co-produce the Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival with local partners Open up Orleans House Gallery and its grounds for greater creative use
• Work across the council to support priorities such as regeneration, climate action, and public health
• Help artists and organisations access funding and support