Culture Richmond – celebrating successes and looking ahead

From bringing world‑class artists into local neighbourhoods to launching London’s newest international arts festival, and supporting dozens of grassroots projects led by residents, Richmond Council is marking five years of Culture Richmond. The milestone celebrates the impact of the borough’s cultural strategy since its adoption in 2021 and looks ahead to its next chapter through to 2031.

Over the past five years, Culture Richmond has delivered a range of projects and programmes that have supported artists, organisations and communities, helping to foster social connectedness and improve people’s mental wellbeing. 

Councillor John Coombs, Spokesperson for Arts, said: “Culture Richmond has shown how creativity can strengthen communities, support local growth and help tackle some of the big challenges we face as a borough.” 

Key achievements include the introduction of a £265k Cultural Commissioning fund, a refreshed approach to funding cultural activity that supports innovation, collaboration and community-led delivery. The strategy also established a Cultural Peer Network, bringing together cultural organisations to share learning, build resilience and shape the borough’s cultural direction together. 

Culture Richmond has also delivered the launch of the Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival – London’s newest international arts festival focused on civic engagement – and the award winning Cultural Reforesting programme, which uses arts-based research to respond to the climate emergency and reconnect communities with nature. 

Alongside these flagship initiatives, the framework has enabled small-scale, community-led activity across the borough, helping to ensure a diverse, inclusive and locally rooted cultural offer that reaches residents across the borough. 

Councillor Coombs added: “Over the last five years we’ve built strong foundations, supported brilliant creative work and empowered communities to shape their own cultural life. As we look ahead, collaboration will be key as we work with partners and residents to support arts, heritage and creativity and ensure culture continues to play a vital role in Richmond’s future.” 

Read the full report