Creative Industries
Richmond’s creative industry fosters economic growth by generating income, supporting local businesses and creating jobs, while promoting positive social inclusion and cultural cohesion.
Photo: Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival
Creativity makes an impact
Richmond has a stable, strong and diversified local economy, resilient to economic cycle volatility. The City of Richmond considers that arts to be integral to our way of life and our creative industries are supported through our Richmond's Economic Development Office, which serves as a liaison between Richmond businesses and the public sector.
What is the Creative Industry?
UNESCO defines that creative industry as organized activities whose main objective is the production or reproduction, promotion, distribution and commercialization of goods, services and activities that come from cultural, artistic and heritage origins. These activities include a variety of creative practices, trades and areas of expertise, but could include practices such as performance, visual arts, crafts, publishing, design, film, interactive media and more. The definition of the creative industry is not only the practice of making and producing creative assets, but also includes the distribution of creative and cultural products in the marketplace. The creative ecomony connects ecomomic, social and cultural development to technology, creativity, tourism, innovation and intellectual property rights.
The arts, culture and heritage sector play an important role in the economic sustainability and growth of a city, along with the well-being of its community members. Canada Council for the Arts reports that the total GDP in 2018 in Canada’s cultural sector was $56.1 billion in 2018, with $7.6 originating in British Columbia. The cultural sector is also a significant employer, providing over 655,000 Canadians with paid employment in 2018 (102,000 in British Columbians).
Photo: Cinevolution’s Digital Carnival at Richmond World Festival
What makes Richmond’s creative industry unique
Many creative industries choose Richmond as the home for their creative business because of our low corporate income tax, labour force, facilities and strategic location on Canada’s west coast. Our mix of industrial, urban, rural and heritage spaces, along with its ideal location close to transportation routes and major export centres is convenient for business development.
With the rise of the experience economy, live events, performances and celebrations are growing in popularity and creative activities are highly sought-after activities by both locals and tourists, year-round. As a result, Richmond’s hotels, restaurants and local businesses also benefit. People also travel from all over to experience Richmond’s world-class culinary scene, which the New York Times calls “The Best Asian Food in North America.”
Photo: Richmond Artists Guild demonstration at Richmond Culture Days
Our Creative Industry at Work:
Filming in Richmond
The film industry is booming in Richmond and employs hundreds of local residents while supporting businesses and creating new economic opportunities.
Richmond’s film sector is part of one of the top three international full-service film production centres in North America. Our facilities and workforce can support all aspects of the largest movie productions from set construction and casting through to post-production and visual effects.
Richmond’s mixed-use industrial zones make it ideal for large-scale film studio production, while its mix of urban, parkland and heritage sites make it a unique base for location-based filming. The City of Richmond’s Film Office can assist with applications, sourcing locations and making contacts in the community and our Economic Development Office also has plenty of helpful online resources and industry links.
Photo: Filming in Steveston Village (photo by Brechin Maclean)
Business Resources for Artists
Creative BC
Creative BC brings a strategic and integrated approach to the growth and development of the province's creative industries. They provide professional expertise and business support to strengthen BC's motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and book and magazine publishing industries.
Business Development Bank of Canada
The Business Development Bank of Canada is the financial institution devoted to Canadian entrepreneurs and helps Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services, and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Small Business BC
Small Business BC helps British Columbia’s entrepreneurs grow successful and sustainable businesses through expert business advisors, educational services, easy-to-use free resources, and engaging community events.
Futurpreneur
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. They are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring, and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39.
Innovate BC
Innovate BC is a one-stop service centre to connect innovators with provincial funding, tools, resources, and support. They help innovators access funding, launch their ideas and connect with experts they need to build great companies.
Funding Portal
Funding Portal is a tool that can be specifically tailored to artists to provide a custom listing of funding options available to your business.
Women’s Enterprise Centre
Women’s Enterprise Centre is a non-profit organization devoted to helping BC women start, lead, and grow their own business. Since 1995, WEC has fueled the success of women-led businesses by providing business loans, business skills training, personalized business advice, mentoring, practical business resources, and a supportive community to help women business owners gain the skills, mindset, financing, and networks they need to realize their business potential.