Richmond Children’s Arts Festival – Artist Call
The City of Richmond is inviting established and emerging artists and art educators in all disciplines to participate in the annual 2026 Richmond Children’s Arts Festival which is happening on February 16, 2026 from 10:30am – 5:00pm. The goal of the festival is to immerse children into the fascinating world of arts and culture. Artists will receive compensation for services.
Festival organizers are looking for artists to share the diverse arts practices, talents and languages of our community. Are you interested in facilitating a class or workshop, showcasing your work through performance, or giving a demonstration? We’d love to hear from you!
Workshops: Drop-in all day, OR, scheduled 45-60 minutes “first come first serve” style with capped numbers, 3 sessions minimum
Performances and Demonstrations: 30-45 minutes, on small stages, in a studio, or on the Plaza OR roving performances (please tell us if you can do yours outdoors)
Interactive Exhibitions: Drop-in all day: must have an engaging and interactive component with a host
Arts practices include but are not limited to visual, textile, literary and performing arts such as dance, circus arts, theatre, storytelling, music, media arts and multidisciplinary practices.
2026 Theme: Home & Belonging
The Children’s Arts Festival is a celebration of community and belonging, fostering pride and participation in the arts and activating community spaces. In 2026, the festival honours the many threads that weave our community into a home. Through the lens of arts and culture, visitors are invited to experience the Richmond Cultural Centre as a welcoming gathering space, where children and families can come together through “art in action” workshops, storytelling, music, and dance. By sharing languages, traditions and art forms, the festival encourages families to explore their identities, celebrating diversity and belonging while engaging in intergenerational learning.
Requirements:
- You or your group will be available on February 16, 2026 as well as for planning meetings and load-in ahead of time if needed.
- Your performance/workshop/class/demonstration must be appropriate for young audiences.
- If you want to run a workshop, you must be confident with a high volume of kids and consistent flow throughout the day.
- You must provide an artist statement, performance or activity description, and headshot or other photo for marketing and promotion.
- You may also be asked to provide a recent police information check.
To Apply: Please fill out the form below indicating your interest along with a description of your presentation or workshop, your resume, your rate or fee for services, and any links to previous work, if applicable.
Deadline: November 14, 2025
Contact Name: Andrew Wade
Contact Email: rac@richmondartscoalition.com
Website: https://www.childrensartsfestival.ca
This artist call has closed.
We acknowledge the
financial support of the
Province of British Columbia.