SCHOOL DAYS
The Children’s Arts Festival School Days runs from February 18 to 20, 2026. SD38 elementary teachers are invited to sign-up their classroom for a dynamic day of art in Richmond community facilities. Professional artists will lead classes through an artistic journey of experiential learning and inquiry. Past workshops have included drawing and painting, clay hand-building, group drumming, musical theatre, hip-hop, bhangra, digital photography, puppetry, improv theatre, creative movement and comic illustration.
Registration for school teachers will open on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 3:00pm and will close on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 11:55pm.
Rates:
Cost for participation in the Children's Arts Festival is determined by class size.
| Package | Class Size |
Full Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| A | 0-18 students | $250 |
|
B |
19-24 students |
$300 |
| C | 25-30 students | $350 |
You will receive an invoice from the Children’s Arts Festival team by January 5, 2026 and payment will be due by January 30, 2026.
Available Schedules at Each Location:
Choice 1
| 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Visual Arts Workshop |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Lunch |
|
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Performing Arts Workshop |
Choice 2
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Performing Arts Workshop |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Lunch |
|
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Visual Arts Workshop |
Daily Themes
Each class will experience a specialized pre-curated workshop package that includes one visual arts workshop and one performing arts workshop. Even better, each day of the festival is packed with a unique theme, so you can pick the one that inspires your students the most!
Wednesday, February 18:
Roots and Routes: Making Learning Local
[Place-Based Learning & Cultural Relevance]
Workshops will focus on fostering appreciation for diverse cultural traditions and histories. Students will be encouraged to integrate their own familial and regional cultural knowledge with activities that celebrate identity and community while enriching their understanding of place, reconciliation and respect for themselves and others.
Thursday, February 19:
The World We Share
[Global Citizenship & Sustainability]
Workshops will focus on environmental stewardship and ecological literacy. Students will engage in sustainability issues and explore ideas of global citizenship. Activities will focus on how artistic creation and expression can deepen understanding of social responsibility and participation in community.
Friday, February 20:
The 'Big Idea' Playground: Ask, Design, Dream!
[Personalized Learning & Student Agency]
Workshops will focus on how to dream for a bigger and brighter tomorrow. Activities will demonstrate how to take big ideas and big questions and then synthesize those big thoughts into personalized creations. Students will practice empowerment, collaboration and efficacy through the process of art-making.
Contact Information
For general inquiries, please contact ChildrensArtsFest@Richmond.ca or leave a message at 604-247-8303.
Cancellation Policy
By submitting a Registration Form, you acknowledge that you are officially confirming your registration for the Children’s Arts Festival School Program. In doing so, you understand you will be charged in full for the fieldtrip. No refund will be offered due to art supplies and special guests.
You are also confirming that you understand that each class you wish to register requires a separate form and separate email address. The information you provide in this form confirms the registration of your class.
Reminders
Please ensure that any adult helpers joining the class are clearly identified with a name tag.
Students and accompanying adults are expected to carry personal belongings with them throughout the day.
Bring a non-microwavable bagged lunch and water bottle. Due to life-threatening allergies, please no food containing nuts or seafood.
Bring an EpiPen and/or medical aids if necessary.
Wear casual and comfortable clothes suitable for a wide range of activities.
If you are unable to attend the field trip, please ensure the teacher on-call has your registration information.
PARTICIPATING LocationS:
Cultural Centre and Cultural Centre Annex
Location: 7700 Minoru Gate
Annex Location: 7660 Minoru Gate
Date(s) Available: February 18, 19, 20
City Centre Community Centre
Location: 5900 Minoru Blvd.
Please note that this location does not have Free Parking.
Date(s) Available: February 19
Sea Island Community Centre
Location: 7140 Miller Rd.
Please note that the Sea Island Community Centre does not have elevators, and the classroom space is located upstairs.
Date(s) Available: February 18, 19 and 20
Please note the following Community Centres will not be available as Children’s Arts Festival Satellite Locations: Steveston Community Centre.
FAQ
-
You can register via the online form. Please note that each class you wish to register requires a separate form and a unique email address.
Registration opens Thursday, November 20 at 3:00pm and closes Thursday, December 4 at 11:55pm.
Registrations will be time-stamped and processed on a first come, first served basis.
Please feel free to reach out to our team for support at ChildrensArtsFest@Richmond.ca or leave a message at 604-247-8303.
-
Absolutely!
If your desired facility location is unavailable for the time you'd like, you can add yourself to the waitlist using the waitlist function at the end of the form.
Please ensure you click the ‘Submit’ button after completing your form.
If you are on a waitlist, the latest you will hear back is Friday, January 9, 2026.
-
By submitting a Registration Form, you are officially confirming your registration for the Children’s Arts Festival School Program. In doing so, you understand you will be charged in full for the fieldtrip selected. No refund will be offered due to art supplies and special guests.
-
No. You may only register for one class. Please do not register on behalf of other teachers.
Each class you wish to register requires a separate form and a unique email address. The information you provide in the form will finalize your class registration.
-
Payment is accepted by cheque.
You will receive an invoice via email from the Children’s Arts Festival team by January 5, 2026 and payment is due by January 30, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding payment, please contact ChildrensArtsFest@Richmond.ca or leave a message at 604-247-8303.
Please address the cheque to: City of Richmond
Please mail or bring cheques to:
ATTN: Children’s Arts Festival
Richmond Cultural Centre
7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond, BC
V6Y 1R9
-
Classes are assigned an indoor space for lunch time. Staff at each facility will be able to assist if looking to find a place outside of the provided space.
-
Students should wear something comfortable and suitable for active participation, as well as clothing they don’t mind getting a little messy. Painting smocks are also welcome!
Please ensure that any adult helpers joining the class are clearly identified with a name tag.
-
Students should bring a non-microwavable bagged lunch and water bottle.
The City of Richmond's water bottle refill station program is a key sustainability initiative to reduce single-use plastic bottles by providing free, convenient public access to tap water.
Due to life-threatening allergies, please no food containing nuts or seafood.
Please also ensure that students bring an EpiPen and/or medical aids if necessary.
-
If you are unable to attend, the teacher on-call is expected to bring the class to the festival.
Please ensure they have all the necessary details about your registration.
For any cancellations, please refer to our cancellation policy.
-
A few weeks before your scheduled fieldtrip, teachers will receive an email with your schedule and important information about the programs, studio/room locations and lunch space allocation.
Upon arrival, teachers will be greeted by staff who will assist with check-in and guide classes to their designated areas.
Studios will be clearly marked with Children's Arts Festival signage. Staff will be available to assist with wayfinding and directions.
On the day of the event, the Front Desk staff at the facility will be available to answer any questions about room locations or other inquiries teachers may have.
-
Each class will experience a specialized pre-curated workshop package that includes one visual arts workshop and one performing arts workshop. Even better, each day of the festival is packed with a unique theme, so you can pick the one that inspires your students the most!
Wednesday, February 18:
Roots and Routes: Making Learning Local
[Place-Based Learning & Cultural Relevance]Thursday, February 19:
The World We Share
[Global Citizenship & Sustainability]Friday, February 20:
The 'Big Idea' Playground: Ask, Design, Dream!
[Personalized Learning & Student Agency]
Each day promises something special for your students to discover and enjoy!
For more information please refer to the Daily Themes section.