Richmond upon Thames Council's Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee has approved the next phase of the Culture Richmond
strategy, endorsing its proposed focus areas and strategic actions for 2026-2031. The committee met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to review the strategy's progress since its adoption in June 2021. The Culture Richmond
strategy aims to foster an innovative, diverse, and accessible cultural offer that empowers, enables, and inspires residents and visitors, contributing to the borough's growth and success.
![Collage of images representing the 'Culture Richmond' strategy, including people collaborating, attending events, and artistic endeavors, with the text 'EMPOWER' and 'CULTURE RICHMOND 2021-2031'](https://opencouncil.network/rails/activestorage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNjh3SVE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--3d36b3a201577b5f1205c9ec5a1c5cc0c3c3c223/page23Picture_6.jpeg "Collage of images representing the 'Culture Richmond' strategy, including people collaborating, attending events, and artistic endeavors, with the text 'EMPOWER' and 'CULTURE RICHMOND 2021-2031')
During the meeting, councillors heard that significant achievements have been made over the past five years, with progress measured across five key priorities: Excellence, Responsiveness, Inclusivity, Empowerment, and Space & Place. Specific successes include the establishment of a Peer Network for Culture, the launch of the Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival, and the award-winning Cultural Reforesting placemaking programme. The strategy has also supported community-led activities, enhancing the borough's cultural life.
Notable achievements under the Excellence
priority include award-winning programming by Orleans House Gallery and Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond Libraries maintaining their position as the fastest reservation service in London, and Richmond's parks ranking 5th in London for quality and satisfaction with over 800 trees planted in 2024/25. The Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival returned in 2025 with acclaimed works and international strands, and Richmond Libraries issued the most physical and digital books per 1,000 population in London. Team Richmond Boys and Girls teams secured first and second place respectively in the London Youth Games 2025, and Centre Stage, a new music festival, showcased local and London music talent.
In terms of Responsiveness,
the strategy saw an expansion of social prescribing and health-focused cultural programmes like Fresh Air Fitness, Health Walks, and Reading Well. There was also growth in inclusive sport initiatives through the Fairer Access Scheme and Community Sports Network, the launch of a new Events in Parks Policy, and the delivery of the Culture 4 Keeps programme for care-experienced young people.
Inclusivity
was advanced through the redesign of the Cultural Commissioning programme to foster collaboration and widen the range of organisations involved, including the launch of a Challenge and Innovation Fund. The Artists Make Space programme offering free studio space was introduced, alongside the development of Friendly Parks for All. The Richmond Moves Leisure Strategy was launched, as was the Richmond Reads literary festival with over 25 events, the Richmond Inclusive Sports and Exercise (RISE) programme, and community-led events like Diwali celebrations and the St Georges Day Parade.
Under Empowerment,
support for youth employment and creative careers was provided through the Creative Careers programme and volunteering opportunities. Local creatives were enabled through the Emerging Artists Programme. Over 50 events were hosted during the Town Twinning Reaffirmation Weekend, and over 40,000 people engaged in the Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival. The Cultural Peer Network was established, and a working group was created to increase opportunities for women and girls in sport.
For Space & Place,
the Local Plan was adopted, embedding culture into regeneration projects. A Nighttime Strategy was developed, and the Cultural Reforesting programme was delivered. Support for local town centres was provided through the High Tide Music Festival and Centre Stage event, and local identity was promoted through heritage organisations and the Know Your Place Festival.
For the next phase, the strategy will intensify its support for Richmond's growth agenda, focusing on nurturing the visitor economy, strengthening the creative industries workforce, and championing commercialisation and digital advancements within the cultural sector. Creative health programmes and new partnerships are also key priorities.
Intensified support for Richmond's growth agenda will be practically implemented by developing place-based and cross-partner programmes that celebrate Richmond's unique local identity and diversity, and by enhancing its reputation as a creative destination through events like the High Tide Music Festival and Centre Stage. Support for the creative industries workforce will be strengthened through designing and delivering a Creative Careers Programme, jointly considering the establishment of a Creative Enterprise Fund for freelancers and start-ups, collaboratively exploring opportunities to expand creative infrastructure, and enabling organisations and practitioners to engage with rapidly changing digital technologies.
To support these ambitions, the committee agreed to raise the grant limit for the Cultural Commissioning Challenge and Innovation Fund from £3,000 to £5,000, enabling more effective project delivery. They also delegated authority to the Director of Culture and Leisure to amend the eligibility criteria for Cultural Commissioning funds, ensuring continued alignment with good practice and any changes the council may make to its grant funding schemes.
Councillor John Coombs, Spokesperson for Arts, expressed his impressment with the achievements to date, particularly the establishment of the peer network. Tim Coram, Arts Service Manager, presented the strategy's progress, highlighting successes in cultural commissioning, support for young people, and place-making initiatives. Paul Jennings, CEO of Habitats and Heritage and Chair of the Cultural Commissioning Peer Network, spoke about the benefits of the collaborative approach, citing an example of an environmental charity partnering with a dance organisation.
Joe Terrell, Head of School for Creative Industries at Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge College, detailed the college's partnerships with local cultural institutions, including the Museum of Richmond, Richmond European Association, Heatham House, Dale Mead Care Home, Friends of Turner's House, and Richmond Archive. These collaborations provide students with real-world experience and contribute to the borough's cultural life.
The 'Cultural Reforesting' programme, led by the Richmond Arts Service, is an award-winning initiative that combines art, science, and local engagement to address climate challenges and promote wellbeing. It involves artists, scientists, community groups, schools, charities, and local leaders, and is grounded in international research. The programme aims to create spaces for dialogue and action, transform public areas into living ecosystems, and inspire communities to see themselves as active participants in environmental stewardship.
The strategy also proposes forging new partnerships to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, enhance financial sustainability through integration with businesses, and co-create a creative health programme integrated with the health and social care system. There is also a plan to work closely with youth music organisations to enable new work and opportunities to share music.
The anticipated benefits of championing 'commercialisation and digital advancements' include economic growth, innovation, and potentially more efficient and accessible services. Potential challenges, though not explicitly detailed, may involve safeguarding human creativity and ensuring fair practice when engaging with digital technologies, as well as addressing any current gaps in engagement or skills.
The full details of the strategy and its progress can be found in the Public reports pack and the Culture Richmond document.
![Collage of images representing inclusivity and the 'Culture Richmond' strategy, with text 'WE COMMIT TO INCLUSIVITY'](https://opencouncil.network/rails/activestorage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNURjSVE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--31b86f3267fc0744bcf234b583f2a4ba1e9fd7a6/page5Picture_6.jpeg "Collage of images representing inclusivity and the 'Culture Richmond' strategy, with text 'WE COMMIT TO INCLUSIVITY')