Call for Black Artists: 2027 Black History Month Exhibition at Richmond Cultural Centre
The City of Richmond is accepting proposals from Black artists for its 2027 Black History Month Exhibition. Selected artist receives $600. Apply by November 15, 2026.
Kor
Contributing Writer
An opportunity for Black artists and artists of African descent to showcase their work, celebrate cultural identity, and contribute to the preservation of Black histories in British Columbia.
At Afro Van Connect Society, we believe that Black art is more than creative expression. It is a powerful form of storytelling, cultural preservation, resistance, and community building.
Creating opportunities for Black artists to share their perspectives, celebrate their heritage, and engage with the broader public is essential to building a more inclusive and representative cultural landscape.
We're excited to share an upcoming opportunity presented by the City of Richmond in partnership with Richmond Black History Month.
The City of Richmond is inviting proposals from Black artists, artists of African descent, and members of the African diaspora for its 2027 Black History Month Exhibition, taking place from January 29 to February 25, 2027, at the Richmond Cultural Centre's Upper Rotunda Gallery.
This annual exhibition provides a platform to recognize and honour the histories, cultural contributions, and artistic expressions of Black Canadians and their communities.
Celebrating Black History Through Art
Since 2016, Richmond's annual Black History Month exhibition has created opportunities to recognize and celebrate the legacy, culture, and contributions of Black Canadians.
The 2027 exhibition continues this tradition by inviting artists to present visual works that contribute to the visibility and celebration of Black artistic expression.
Art has always played an important role in documenting our histories, challenging dominant narratives, and creating space for perspectives that have too often been overlooked.
Through painting, photography, textiles, drawing, and other visual disciplines, artists have the ability to connect generations, preserve cultural knowledge, and inspire conversations about identity, belonging, and community.
This exhibition offers an opportunity for Black artists to contribute to those conversations through their creative practices.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is open to:
- Artists who identify as Black.
- Artists of African descent.
- Artists who are part of the African diaspora.
Priority will be given to artists who live and/or work in Richmond, British Columbia.
Artists working in a range of visual art disciplines are encouraged to submit proposals.
Eligible art forms include drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, media arts, textile arts, and other two-dimensional artistic practices.
Small three-dimensional artworks may also be considered, subject to the gallery's display and accessibility requirements.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition: 2027 Black History Month Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: January 29 – February 25, 2027
Location: Richmond Cultural Centre — Upper Rotunda Gallery
7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC
Presented by: City of Richmond in partnership with Richmond Black History Month
Artist Fee: $600 for the selected artist, based on 2027 CARFAC rates.
The selected artist is not required to produce new artwork specifically for the exhibition. Submitted works should be ready for installation by City staff.
Additional public programming opportunities, including an artist talk or workshop, may be considered separately.
The exhibition will be accessible to the public during the Richmond Cultural Centre's regular operating hours.
How to Submit Your Proposal
Interested artists are invited to prepare one PDF or Word document containing the following:
Artist name and contact information
Artist biography — maximum 100 words
Artist statement — maximum one page
Exhibition proposal statement — maximum one page
5–7 high-resolution images of recent or proposed artworks, following the submission guidelines
Proposals should be emailed to:
culture@richmond.ca
Email subject line: 2027 Black History Month Exhibition
Artists may also submit materials by mail or deliver them to:
Black History Month Exhibition
Richmond Cultural Centre
7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond, BC V6Y 1R9
Submission Deadline
Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Artists requiring assistance or accommodations are encouraged to contact City of Richmond staff before the deadline.
Phone: 604-247-8300
Why Opportunities Like This Matter
At Afro Van Connect, we recognize that Black artists play a vital role in shaping the cultural identity of our communities.
Our histories have been preserved through storytelling, music, visual art, movement, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. These creative practices are not simply expressions of culture; they are essential forms of cultural infrastructure.
Through our Black Spaces Initiative, we continue to advocate for the creation, protection, and expansion of spaces where Black communities can express themselves, preserve their histories, and build sustainable futures.
Public exhibitions like the Richmond Black History Month Exhibition are important opportunities to increase the visibility of Black artists within cultural institutions and create meaningful engagement with Black histories and artistic contributions.
They also remind us of the importance of ensuring Black cultural expression is recognized, valued, and supported beyond Black History Month.
Black history is not limited to a single month. It is an ongoing story of creativity, resilience, cultural knowledge, and community contribution.
Calling All Black Artists: Share Your Work!
Are you a Black visual artist or an artist of African descent looking for an opportunity to showcase your creative practice?
We encourage you to consider submitting a proposal for the 2027 Black History Month Exhibition.
Whether your work explores cultural identity, community, history, personal experience, or contemporary artistic expression, this opportunity offers a platform to share your perspective with the public.
Submit your proposal by November 15, 2026.
culture@richmond.ca
Help Us Spread the Word
We encourage our community members, artists, cultural organizations, and creative networks to share this opportunity with Black artists across British Columbia, particularly those living or working in Richmond.
By amplifying opportunities like this, we can help strengthen the visibility of Black artistic practices and support a cultural landscape where our stories and contributions are celebrated.
Our histories deserve to be preserved. Our creativity deserves to be supported. Our stories deserve space.
This community opportunity is shared by Afro Van Connect Society in support of Black artistic expression, cultural preservation, and creative empowerment.
Afro Van Connect Society
Creating Space. Building Community. Sustaining Black Futures.