Current Calls and Funding
Flow 2020: Temporary Art Exhibition Along the Ship Canal
offing by Jenene Nagy, 2014, Printed tarp, Photo by Meagan Atiyeh
The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking emerging artists to develop temporary artworks for FLOW 2020, an exhibition of temporary artworks for construction walls and fences as part of SPU's Ship Canal Water Quality Project.
Working with SPU and ARTS, six to eight selected artists will design and develop artworks that can be affixed or applied to wood construction walls or chain link fences. The selected artists will create artwork specifically for one of the four artwork construction sites. Artists are invited to use a variety of materials including but not limited to paint, photography, murals, sculptural attachments, collage, relief, rope or ribbon woven into fences, plastic puck attachments, or many other approaches. Artists are encouraged to utilize innovative approaches to materials and attachments. Artists will explore themes and ideas that are relevant to their own practice. If they wish, the artists may also respond to the site context and histories, water quality issues, and the presence of drainage and wastewater facilities.
Eligibility
This call is open to emerging artists residing in Washington State. An emerging artist is defined by our office as an artist at an early stage in their career, who may/may not have specialized training, who has created a modest body of artistic work, and has not completed a commission greater than $20,000.00. Students are not eligible to apply.
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture encourages diversity in its collection and programming. Artists whose work is well represented in the city's programs are eligible to apply, but the artist selection panel will consider artistic diversity as one factor in the selection process.
Budget
Each of the six to eight selected artists will receive $10,000.00, inclusive of all fees for design, fabrication and installation, including Washington State Sales and Use Tax (10.1%).
Deadline
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 10:59 p.m. Pacific.
Workshop
We are offering free, optional workshops that will provide some general information about the FLOW projects and the CaFE online application system:
Thursday, June 27, 2019 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
ARTS at King Street Station
303 Jackson St, Top Floor, Panel Room
Seattle, WA 98104
RSVP here
Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 11 am - 12 pm
ARTS at King Street Station
303 Jackson St, Top Floor, Room 314
Seattle, WA 98104
RSVP here
Application
Apply on CaFÉ. For assistance with the CaFÉ online application process, email CaFÉ tech support or call them at (888) 562-7232, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific.
Info
For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please contact Project Manager, Jason Huff.
Jason Huff
More + -
jason.huff@Seattle.gov
(206) 684-7278
As a public art project manager with our office since 2007, Jason has worked with local and national artists to design and install artworks for the city's 1% for Art collection. From 2000 to 2007, Jason was the artistic director at the Kirkland Arts Center. Born and raised in White Plains, New York, he received his BFA in art from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and his MFA in ceramics from the University of Washington. Jason continues to work in ceramics and has exhibited his work regionally at Gallery IMA, SOIL, Bellevue Art Museum, Gallery IMA, and nationally at the Contemporary Crafts Gallery in Portland, Ore.; San Angelo Museum of Fine Art in San Angelo, Tex.; Contemporary Arts Collective and Donna Beam Fine Arts Gallery in Las Vegas, Nev.; and the Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery in Reno, Nev.
Fresh Perspectives II
Detail from "Artista" by Jake Prendez, 2018, Oil on canvas
The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), invites artists to submit images of two-dimensional artwork and wall hanging sculptures for a competitive purchase for SPU’s Portable Works Collection. Maximum measurements for work is 48 x 48 x 5 inches and should not weigh more than 50 pounds. Artwork not conforming to these qualifications may be disqualified. The artwork will enter a rotating portable works collection and objects may need to be moved by one person.
Artists working with a colorful palette are encouraged to apply. The artwork must be available for purchase. Purchases will be chosen by a panel who are charged with selecting artwork that reflects diversity of expression.
Eligibility
This call is open to professional artists who are residents of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska). Galleries may submit applications on behalf of their artists; please see gallery-specific application instructions in the full call on CaFÉ.
Budget
A total of up to $100,000 for all artworks is available for this direct purchase
Deadline
10:59 p.m. Pacific, Friday, July 5, 2019. Please allow ample time to complete your application; applications submitted after the 10:59 p.m. Pacific deadline will not be accepted.
Workshop
We strongly encourage you to participate in an information session, especially if you are a first-time applicant. Staff from ARTS will share more information about the project and will review steps of the CaFÉ application.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Pacific
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
104 17th Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98144
If you are interested in attending this workshop, RSVP via email with "Add me to the online workshop" in the subject line to blake.haygood@seattle.gov
Application
Apply on CaFÉ. For assistance with the CaFÉ online application process, email CaFÉ tech support or call them at (888) 562-7232, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific.
Info
For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please contact Blake Haygood or Elisheba Johnson.
Blake Haygood
More + -
blake.haygood@seattle.gov
(206) 684-7132
Blake helps rotate and maintain the Portable Works Collection, with more than 2,800 works; assists in curating city exhibitions; and provides handyman services in the office when needed. He is a practicing artist and his work can be viewed at www.blakehaygood.com.
Elisheba Johnson
More + -
elisheba.johnson@seattle.gov
(206) 684-0182
Elisheba Johnson is a life-long participant in the arts. Most recently she owned Faire Gallery Café, a multi-use art space that had art exhibitions, music shows, poetry readings and creative gatherings. Being a visual artist, Elisheba brought the community together to create multidisciplinary arts projects at Faire. Elisheba has also volunteered at various arts organizations to help broaden the impact the arts has in the Seattle area. She is now writing for "Curating a Life" her parenting blog, creating mixed media art pieces, and finishing up work on a children's book she co-authored with her father, Charles Johnson. When she is not enjoying an art exhibit with her son, she is volunteering with the parenting support group "Rooting for Mama".
CityArtist
Natasha Marin's Literary-Storytelling, photo by Naomi Ishisaka
The CityArtist program supports Seattle-based individual artists/curators and the research, development and presentation of their work. Awarded artists will need to offer a public presentation within city limits of Seattle. We support a broad range of artistic and cultural expression reflecting Seattle’s diversity.
NEW ELEMENTS: The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s 2020 CityArtist application has been simplified with these elements. Project description, budget and outreach plan are NOT required. These are determined AFTER awards are official. Artists now have two years to create and present a creative idea.
Eligibility
Applications will be accepted this year in these art forms or disciplines:
- Literary (including screenwriting)
- Media/film
- Visual
Traditional/ethnic and multi-disciplinary projects are always welcome, as long as a primary art form is one of the eligible disciplines listed.
Funding
Applicants may request the following set amounts: $2,000, $5,000, or $8,000.
Deadline
Wednesday, July 17, 2018 at 11 p.m. Pacific.
Workshops
Get insider tips on how to submit a strong application. A workshop and draft review will be held:
Program Overview Workshop
(Past awardee will share tips at 12 p.m.)
Thursday, May 23, 2019; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Seattle Public Library-Ballard
5614 22nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
RSVP
(Past awardee will share tips at 6 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 4, 2019; 5-7 p.m.
Seattle Public Library-Douglass-Truth
2300 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
RSVP
Draft Review (Individual appointments):
Please RSVP for an appointment.
Friday, July 5, 2019; 12-4 p.m.
ARTS at King Street Station, Top Floor, Rm 306
303 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104
RSVP
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 2-6 p.m.
ARTS at King Street Station, Top Floor, Rm 313
303 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104
RSVP
Application
The application and guidelines are available on our CityArtist page.
Info
For application or eligibility assistance, please contact Project Manager, Irene Gómez.
Irene Gómez
More + -
irene.gomez@seattle.gov
(206) 684-7310
Irene administers ARTISTS UP and CityArtists Projects funding programs in addition to related technical support. She's an active member of the city's Race & Social Justice Initiative Change Team and volunteers on several boards and committees of a community foundation, artist collectives and heritage organizations. Film, travel, friends and being parent of an emerging media artist balance interests outside of work.
ARTS at King Street Station Portal
Lummi BlackHawk Singers, photo by Sunny Martini
ARTS at King Street Station is a new cultural hub that promotes cultural participation, celebrates diversity, builds community connections, and enhances the visibility of artists of color. The Portal is a rolling application for exhibitions and events that will take place at ARTS at King Street Station.
The Portal accepts ideas and proposals for events, performances, and exhibitions which will be funded by the Office of Arts & Culture, which manages the space.
Eligibility
- Individuals, artist teams, curator(s), or groups seeking support for a unique exhibition/art installation involving arts and culture.
- People of all ages, especially youth and older adults, are encouraged to apply. Youth under 18 must include an adult contact.
- Proposals that reflect emerging, established and mid-career work are welcome.
Organizations:
- Mission may be focused on arts and culture or other areas.
- Organizations are NOT required to have 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
- Grassroots or business organizations are welcome to apply.
- For-profit and/or touring exhibitions are NOT eligible.
Budget
Applicants can request funding for the following set amounts:
- Exhibitions - in-kind only, under $2,500, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000
- Events - in-kind only, under $500, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Deadline
Ongoing; there is no deadline. Applications are reviewed every three months by the King Street Station Advisors.
Application review and contracting take time. Please share your event proposals at least three months prior to the desired date, or your exhibition/installation application at least six months prior to the desired opening date. You will receive a response within 90 days.
Application
For exhibitions and events, apply via this survey.
If you want to work on it offline, you can download the ARTS at King Street Station Portal application.
ARTS at King Street Station Portal Guidelines
ARTS at King Street Station Portal budget form
ARTS at King Street Station information packet:
Info
For more information or help on your application, please contact King Street Station Program Lead, S Surface, or drop in during ARTS at King Street Station programming office hours: 11am-12:30pm on the Third Wednesday and Third Saturday of each month EXCEPT December.
S Surface
More + -
s.surface@seattle.gov
(206) 256-5484
S Surface is a Seattle-based curator of art, design and architecture, and the King Street Station Program Lead with ARTS. Previously, Surface was co-curator of The Alice, an artist-run exhibition space and writers' residency, and Out Of Sight 2017, a regional survey of Pacific Northwest artists. As Program Director at Design in Public, Surface organized the annual city-wide Seattle Design Festival and curated at the Center for Architecture & Design. Trained in graphic design, photography and entrepreneurship at Parsons School of Design, and with a M.Arch from Yale School of Architecture, research coordinator and editor with C-LAB, Volume Architectural Journal, and the Network Architecture Lab at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; and a teaching fellow in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department at Yale University. Surface served on the Seattle Arts Commission and on the board of Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility
Sign up for updates to hear about future calls and grants, or visit our Opportunities page to view other opportunities from us and other organizations.