Current Calls and Funding
2027 CityArtist
A Practice of Return by Nia-Amina Minor, photo by Chloe Collyer
The CityArtist grant supports Seattle-based individual artists/curators in the research, development, and presentation of creative work. By sustaining individuals who are at the core of the cultural sector, we ensure that creative careers and work can develop and adapt over time, which is critical to artists’ professional growth and business insight. Providing financial support for creative entrepreneurs contributes to the broader economy and quality of life in neighborhoods across the city.
The 2027 application is open to artists/curators working in Dance, Music, and Theater (including Playwriting) Arts. Awarded artists will need to offer a public presentation within Seattle city limits. We encourage a broad range of artistic and cultural expression that reflects the Seattle’s diversity.
This program is open to specific discipline clusters in alternating years:
- Odd Years (2027): Dance, Music, and Theater (including Playwriting)
- Even Years (2028): Literary, Media/Film (including Screenwriting), and Visual Art
For more details, please read the full guidelines. They are also available in these languages:
Due Date
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 5 PM Pacific
Please allow ample time to complete your application. Applications submitted after the 5 PM Pacific deadline will not be accepted.
Eligibility
You are eligible for this grant if you meet these criteria:
- You are an individual, generative artist/curator who produces/presents art.
- You are a Seattle resident or have a permanent studio/workspace in your name within Seattle city limits where you receive mail. It cannot be a P.O. Box. A post office box, temporary rehearsal space or studio under a name other than the funded artist/curator does not fulfill the residency requirement. If you are uncertain about your address (not all “Seattle” zip codes are actually in the city limits), enter your zip code into this interactive city map to confirm. Contact the project manager for clarification.
- You are at least 18 years of age by the application due date
- If you are the lead artist/curator of an arts or cultural group/organization, you must clearly distinguish work for this award from the ongoing/seasonal work of your group/organization.
You are not eligible for this grant if:
- You reside outside the Seattle city limits and have no permanent work/studio space in Seattle.
- You are enrolled in a degree-granting program related to your own artistic work or career.
- You are a current award recipient from any of our programs with an active contract.
Timeline
- June 2, 2026: Application opens
- July 14, 2026: Application closes at 5 PM Pacific
- September 2026: An independent peer review panel of artists, curators, arts administrators, and community representatives review and score applications based on the program’s priorities, eligibility, and criteria.
- November 2026: Applicants are notified whether they have been approved for funding or not.
- February/March 2027: Contracting/payments begin
- Nov. 30, 2028: Public presentation and final report completed
- Dec. 31, 2028: Contract expiration date
Funding
Awards are set at a single amount of $8,000 for all recipients.
Information Workshops
Join a virtual information session to learn more about this grant and how to turn in your strongest application. We highly encourage first-time applicants to attend. One-on-one draft review sessions are available by phone:
Virtual Information Session 1
Wednesday, June 8, 4-6 PM Pacific
Register for June 8 session
Virtual Information Session 2
Monday, June 15, 1-3 PM Pacific
Register for June 15 session
Draft Review Session by Phone – Appointment needed
Monday, June 22, 1-6 PM Pacific
Monday, June 29, 1-6 PM Pacific
Monday, July 6, 1-6 PM Pacific
Contact the Project Manager at (206) 684-7310 or ART_CityArtist@seattle.gov to schedule an appointment.
Open Hours by Phone – No appointment needed
Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, 30
3-4 PM Pacific
Contact the Project Manager at (206) 684-7310 or ART_CityArtist@seattle.gov.
Contact
For eligibility information, application assistance, or online technical support, please contact the Project Manager at (206) 684-7310 or ART_CityArtist@seattle.gov.
We have interpreters who can speak to you in your language, including American Sign Language (via video). Just call us and tell us what language you speak. Expect a short pause while we find an interpreter to join the call.
The Creative Advantage Community Arts Partner Roster (Rolling Deadline)
The Creative Advantage is a city-wide initiative to establish equitable access to arts learning for every student in Seattle Public Schools (SPS). The Creative Advantage is made possible through a public-private partnership with SPS, the Office of Arts & Culture, the Seattle Foundation, and over 100 community arts partners.
The Community Arts Partner Roster consists of individual teaching artists and community arts and culture organizations approved to work in SPS through The Creative Advantage. Community Arts Partners collaborate with schools to provide:
- Student Art Residencies
- Teacher Professional Development
Please Note: You can apply to lead student arts residencies and/or teacher professional development.
Helpful Resources
Creative Youth Programs Glossary
Visit The Creative Advantage for more information.
Eligibility
Open to teaching artists, community arts organizations, and cultural institutions serving students, teachers, and schools in Seattle with three or more years of teaching experience. Applicants must be over the age of 18.
The Roster application reopens on November 1, 2025, and will stay open year-round for new artists, teaching artists, community arts organizations, and cultural institutions to apply. Applications will be vetted and approved by Creative Advantage Advisors, through a panel process three times annually (March, June, October). Roster Advisors are Seattle Public School teacher leaders and current Roster partners.
Review Deadlines
- Applications submitted between Nov. and Feb. will be reviewed during the March review cycle
- Applications submitted between March and May will be reviewed during the June review cycle
- Applications submitted between June and Sept. will be reviewed during the Oct. review cycle
Application
If you have trouble with Submittable, check their FAQ which offers step-by-step guides. For further assistance with the Submittable online application, please contact Submittable tech support at support@submittable.com.
Contact
For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please contact Arts Education Project Manager, Tina LaPadula, at (206) 518-4205 or Tina.Lapadula@seattle.gov.
We can speak to you in your language, including American Sign Language (via video). Just call us and tell us what language you speak. Expect a short pause while we find an interpreter to join the call.
smART Ventures Grant (Rolling Due Date)
Black Arts Love, photo by Jenny Crooks
smART Ventures is flexible, inclusive, simple, and encourages innovation by individuals, organizations, and communities that may not qualify for other funding programs. It provides support ranging from $500 to $1,500, proving that small investments can have big impacts.
Eligibility
- Individuals or groups of people – including youth and older adults – seeking support for a unique project, opportunity, or event involving arts and culture and not currently funded by our office
- Organizations – arts and culture and others – organizations do NOT have to have 501(c)(3) non-profit status
- emerging (less than 3 years old), OR
- not currently funded by our office, OR
- grassroots or business organizations
- Practicing artists not currently funded by our office and who have never received a CityArtist grant before
Due Date
The application is open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Application
To apply, you must attend an information session first.
Information Sessions and Draft Application Review
Come learn more about this grant and how to submit your best application.
Virtual Information Sessions
After reviewing the smART Ventures guidelines, attend a group session to learn how to submit your best application.
Sessions are available the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month (excluding City Holidays), 11:30 AM -12:15 PM Pacific.
Virtual Draft Application Review Sessions
You must attend a smART Ventures info session first.
Attend this group session and bring 2-3 questions you may have regarding your application to share.
Sessions are available the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month (excluding City Holidays), 12:15-1 PM Pacific.
RSVP for a session on our calendar.
Contact
For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please email the Project Manager at SmARTVentures@seattle.gov.
We can speak to you in your language, including American Sign Language (via video). Just call us at 206-684-7171 and tell us what language you speak. Expect a short pause while we find an interpreter to join the call.
Sign up for updates to hear about future calls and grants, or visit our Other Opportunities page to view artist calls and job openings from other organizations.