Current Calls and Funding
We Still Dream a Future: Call for Downtown Activations & Exhibitions in 2026
the sky is the same color everywhere or on the rapture of being alive by MALACARNE, photo by Alina Yang
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture invites individual artists, cultural producers, arts administrators, creative workers, community groups, and arts and cultural organizations of all sizes to propose projects activating public spaces in Downtown Seattle in 2026.
With the unifying theme of We Still Dream a Future, this call invites arts proposals of two types:
- Exhibitions inside ARTS at King Street Station (KSS)
- Activations and installations at King Street Station Plaza, Union Station Plaza and other public spaces in the Chinatown-International District, Pioneer Square, and Stadium District
Developed in partnership with Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan, this call for proposals addresses key civic priorities by empowering creative workers to build community and spark new arts experiences downtown. By offering free, engaging programming throughout the year, especially during peak visitation periods, this initiative enriches the city’s cultural landscape, providing inspiring experiences for residents and visitors alike.
This funding opportunity builds upon our ongoing artist- and community-led programming through ARTS at King Street Station and Hope Corps. It expands on the Hope Corps framework, which fosters economic opportunity for Seattle’s creative workforce, and aligns with ARTS at King Street Station’s mission to increase opportunities for communities of color to create and present their work.
Beyond funding, awardees will benefit from a Community of Practice, a dynamic network offering regular workshops, social opportunities, and platforms to share their work and deepen their connections to Downtown Seattle and the arts ecosystem.
For more details on this grant, please read the full guidelines.
The guidelines are also available in these languages:
Supplemental Documents
- Map of eligible areas and neighborhoods
- Budget template
- ARTS at King Street Station facility description
- Detailed selection criteria
You can use these documents to draft your application responses:
Unifying Theme
We Still Dream a Future is the marshaling of our collective imagination within and beyond our current circumstances, and despite the obstacles before us. It is the celebratory declaration of our communities that they are still here and will be for many years to come. In conversation with each other, we build upon the idea that our flourishing must be and is possible.
The arts are essential to creating what comes next. When we see what could be, hear it, touch it, experience it, then what we imagine becomes something more: through art, all that is possible takes a step towards becoming real. We Still Dream a Future.
You are needed. Where does your work enter this conversation or diverge from it in important ways? A discussion of the future is also a discussion of our past and our present, of who we have been and who we might be. Is your work an exploration of identity? Do you reveal or reflect upon larger systems at work in our lives? Do you set forth visions of what lies just beyond the horizon of who we are? We can’t yet see all that you imagine in responding to this theme. Show us what is possible.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for funding if you meet the following criteria:
- You are an individual artist, organization, or community-based group located in, or presenting work regularly in, Seattle.
- Organizations and individual artists representing communities most impacted by systemic oppression including low-income, people with disabilities, immigrant and refugee communities, and communities of color are encouraged to apply.
- You have not received funding from us for a previous iteration of this proposed project within the last 3 years.
- You are not currently receiving Downtown Activation Plan-related funding from us for projects taking place in 2026.
- You may apply for more than one project type, for example, you may submit separate proposals for an exhibition at KSS and an activation outdoors. But you may not submit more than one proposal for an exhibition or an activation.
Your project must not:
- Directly sell materials or post prices (this is ONLY applicable to proposals for King Street Station and Union Station)
- Use ticket sales. All programs must be presented free of charge to the public.
Funding
Grant funds up to $50,000 are available for creative worker wages and project expenses.
Due Date
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Pacific
Please allow ample time to complete your application. Applications submitted after the 5 p.m. (Pacific) deadline will not be accepted.
Information Workshops
Please watch the videos at the top and bottom of this page to learn more about this grant and how to submit your best application. if you have additional questions, you can attend one of these information sessions:
Session 1 (Virtual)
Friday, April 25, 2025 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
RSVP for 4/25
Session 2 (Virtual)
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
RSVP for 5/13
Session 3 (Virtual)
Saturday, May 17, 2025 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
RSVP for 5/17
Session 4 (Virtual)
Thursday May 22, 2025 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
RSVP for 5/22
Application
Apply online through Submittable.
If you have trouble, check the Submittable FAQ for step-by-step guides. You can also contact Submittable tech support at support@submittable.com.
Info
If you don’t have computer or internet access, or would like to discuss alternative ways of applying, contact Kate Fernandez, Downtown Activations Supervisor at Kate.Fernandez@seattle.gov or call (206) 948-3059.
Please reach out with any questions about this opportunity or for help with the online application.
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.
Kate Fernandez
Bio + -
Kate.Fernandez@seattle.gov
(206) 948-3059
Kate Fernandez is a California native who has lived in Seattle longer than she hasn’t. During this time, she has zig-zagged between design and administration in an attempt to transfer knowledge between those two worlds that shifts and shapes culture.
As Director of Interpretation & Visitor Experience at the Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture, Kate brought these realms together and led the design and build of the galleries and public spaces for the new museum. She is also the founder of several letterpress print shops, producer of grassroots music and arts festivals, and curator of experiences at the intersection of art and nature. Most recently, Kate has worked as a consultant to local and national nonprofits to help them find creative solutions to their strategic problems.
Kate holds a BA in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington and studied typography and design at the School of Visual Concepts.
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. The Creative Advantage is made possible through a public-private partnership with Seattle Public Schools, the City of Seattle 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 Seattle Public Schools through The Creative Advantage. Community Arts Partners collaborate with schools to provide:
- Student Art Residencies
- Teacher Professional Development
Please Note: An applicant can apply to lead student arts residencies and/or teacher professional development.
Helpful Resources
Creative Youth Programs Glossary
Visit the Creative Advantage website for more information.
Eligibility
Open to teaching artists, community arts organizations, and cultural institutions serving students, teachers, and schools in Seattle with three (3) or more years of teaching experience. Applicants must be over the age of 18.
The Roster application is open, 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 11/1/24 and by 5 PM (PST) 2/28/25 will be reviewed during the March review cycle
- Applications submitted between 3/1/25 and by 5 PM (PST) 5/31/25 will be reviewed during the June review cycle
- Applications submitted between 6/1/25 and by 5 PM (PST) 9/30/25 will be reviewed during the October review cycle
An applicant can apply to provide both student art residencies and/or professional development opportunities for teachers and will have the option to indicate that on the application.
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.
Info
For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please contact Project Manager, Tina LaPadula.
We can speak to you in your language, including American Sign Language. Just call us and tell us what language you speak. Expect a short pause while we find an interpreter to join the call.
Tina LaPadula
Bio + -
Arts Education Project Manager
tina.lapadula@seattle.gov
(206) 518-4205
Tina LaPadula is an East coast transplant and warrior for equitable art-making and learning opportunities. For more than 15 years she poured most of her creative energy into Arts Corps, the award-winning arts and social justice nonprofit she helped found. She has collaborated with The Frye Museum, The Museum of History and Industry, and Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival to curate exhibitions and events that elevate the art and perspectives of young people. As a teaching artist, Tina has taught for Centrum Arts, Seattle Children's Theatre, The University of Washington, and in a multitude of schools and afterschool programs. She has served as a consultant to many cultural organizations facilitating workshops on racial justice and the arts. Tina supports the growth and development of teaching artists locally and nationally, most notably as the founder of the Seattle Teaching Artist Network, as a faculty member for the WA State Teaching Artist Training Lab, as the former chair of the Association of Teaching Artists, and on the national advisory team for the Teaching Artist Guild. Her writing and opinions have been featured by Americans for the Arts and The National Guild for Community Arts Education.
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. smART Ventures provides support ranging from $500 to $1,000, 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
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, 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month (excluding City Holidays), 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Virtual Draft Application Review Sessions
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, 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month (excluding City Holidays), 12:30-1:30 p.m.
RSVP for a session on our calendar.
Info
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. 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.