Current Calls and Funding

Hope Corps 2025: Downtown Seattle Activations

Applicants are invited to propose arts and cultural activations downtown, such as the pictured concert on Occidental Square, photo by Jenny Crooks

In 2025, Hope Corps objectives continue to advance Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan. The plan’s purpose is to stabilize and transform Downtown into a place where residents, workers, and visitors want to spend time.

Individual artists, cultural producers, arts administrators, creative workers, community groups, and arts and cultural organizations should apply to Hope Corps. Propose projects that generate career opportunities for the local creative workforce, and contribute to the well-being of Seattle’s downtown community with community-driven projects, events, performances, and more.

Funding will go towards projects that employ creative workers through activations that uplift stories and audiences from historically unserved and/or underserved communities representing Seattle’s diversity in downtown neighborhoods:

• Belltown
• Central Downtown
• Chinatown-International District
• Denny Triangle
• Pioneer Square
• Stadium District

Proposed projects should be unique events or activations, taking place in 2025 in street-level, accessible, outdoor or otherwise publicly visible spaces that provide engaging experiences for the public and bring audiences downtown.

For more details on the Hope Corps grant, please read the full guidelines.

The guidelines are also available in these languages:

• Amharic
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Korean
• Somali
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese

Application Preview

Use this document to draft your application responses:

• Microsoft Word version
• Adobe Acrobat version

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Seattle is THRIVING - Creating a New Narrative for Downtown Seattle: Why do you love Seattle? What helps you feel safe in your community? What is the history of this place? What has Seattle survived? How is Seattle changing? What makes you proud to be a Seattleite? What do you want to see in Seattle’s future?
• Placemaking, Place-keeping and Belonging - Who belongs in Seattle’s Downtown? Who belongs on Indigenous land? How do we live in community with our unhousedneighbors? Who has been excluded from opportunity in Seattle’s Downtown neighborhoods? How do the arts make our Downtown unique?
• Climate and Water Justice - How do water and the natural environment shape our city? How do Seattleites relate to nature? How do Seattle’s residents steward the ecology around us? How can we create a healthy, resilient, and green Downtown? How can our city create a just, sustainable future?

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for Hope Corps funding if you and your proposed activation project 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.
• Your activation project must occur between January 2025 and December 2025.
• Your activation project and its associated public benefit must take place in Downtown Seattle within the identified Downtown Activation Plan boundary
• Your activation project must address one or more of the three focus areas of this program
• Your activation project must be promoted and made accessible to the general public – Seattle residents, workers, and visitors – to attend. This includes a free attendance option and accessibility for people who primarily speak languages other than English and people with disabilities.
• Your activation project must pay each creative worker* a living wage, whether through wages, stipends, or contract payments. We define a living wage as $32 per hour or more (this may vary for youth and students).
• Your activation project may have a virtual component, but it must be primarily an in-person experience.
• If your activation project is a temporary art installation, it must be displayed for at least 3 months.

*Creative workers include artists, creatives, cultural workers, and everyone in between.

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Permanent installations and mural projects
• Capital improvement projects
• Religious services
• Fundraisers or private events

Funding

Funding amounts range from $5,000 - $50,000.

Due Date

Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024, 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

Learn more about this grant and how to submit your best application. We highly encourage first-time applicants to attend one of these sessions:

Workshop 1 (Virtual)

Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 10 - 11 a.m.
RSVP

Workshop 2 (In-person, ARTS at King Street Station)

Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
RSVP

Workshop 3 (Virtual)

Thursday, Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
RSVP

Workshop 4 (In-person, Belltown)

Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
RSVP

Application

Apply online through Submittable.

If you don’t have computer or internet access, or would like to discuss alternative ways of applying, contact Alex Rose, Hope Corps Program Manager, as soon as possible: Alex.Rose@seattle.gov.

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

For questions about this opportunity, or help with the online application, please contact project manager, Alex Rose. 

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.

Civic Poet 2025-26

Civic Poet 2023-24: Shin Yu Pai. Photo by James Arzente.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with the Seattle City of Literature, commissions and supports an experienced poet for a two-year residency. The Civic Poet is a cultural ambassador for Seattle's rich, multi-hued literary landscape and represents Seattle's diverse cultural community. The selected awardee will receive $25,000 for their two-year commission from early 2025 through the end of 2026. In addition to annual City events, the Civic Poet will foster community dialogue and engagement between the City, the public, and other artists, while celebrating the literary arts.

As the City’s two-year ambassador of poetry, the role of the Civic Poet is to develop an annual workplan, execute a range of creative opportunities citywide, and deliver a closing debrief at the end of each year. These opportunities can include readings, workshops, projects, as well as speaking engagements – all in tandem with literary and community partners. The Civic Poet curates public occasions that connect and engage communities, City departments, and residents while promoting the value of poetry. As a featured presenter, the Civic Poet will participate in two annual public events with the Seattle City of Literature and for National Poetry Month.   

Please read the guidelines for full details.

Español Tiếng Việt 中文（简体) Soomaali አማርኛ Tagalog 한국어

Eligibility 

This call is open to Seattle-based poets who have an established body of work including published/self-published works, reading/spoken word, plus project planning experience, and applied racial equity practice. You are eligible if: 

• You are based in Seattle (your residence is in the City of Seattle)

• You are based in Seattle (your residence is in the City of Seattle)You are eligible to work in the U.S. 

• You are 18+ years of age at the time of the application due date 

• You are not an enrolled student at any level at the time of the application due date 

• You have demonstrated interest/experience in promoting equity and inclusion through the arts 

• You show strong program planning and implementation with partnerships 

Funding 

The compensation for the two-year Civic Poet commission is $25,000. Funding is for a two-year period and covers time for writing, administration, artist fees, performances, event costs, materials, travel, fees, taxes, and other project-related costs. 

Due Date 

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, 5 p.m. (Pacific) 

Information Session (Hybrid) 

Learn more about the program and how to submit your best application. 

Monday, July 22, 1 - 3 p.m. (Pacific) 
In-person: ARTS at King Street Station 
303 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 (Top floor, Room 315) 
Virtual: Microsoft Teams 
RSVP 

Application Draft Review Due Date 
Tuesday, Aug. 6, 5 p.m. (Pacific) 

Applicants can submit draft material for review and feedback up until Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. (Pacific). After Aug. 6, project managers are unable to provide full feedback but will be available to answer any questions and check for eligibility or completeness.

Application Assistance 
To request application assistance, email Project Manager Zach Frimmel at Zach.Frimmel@seattle.gov by Aug. 6 to set up a phone or virtual meeting.

Application  

Apply online through Submittable. It’s free to apply. If you don’t have computer or internet access, contact Zach Frimmel, Project Manager, at (206) 963-9226 or Zach.Frimmel@seattle.gov. 

If you have trouble, check the Submittable FAQ for step-by-step guides. You can also contact Submittable tech support at support@submittable.com.

Contact

For information and assistance with the application, eligibility, or online technical support, contact Zach Frimmel, Project Manager, at (206) 963-9226 or Zach.Frimmel@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.

ARTS at King Street Station Exhibitions and Events Call

Adé A. Cônnére performs at the opening of IMMINENT MODE: US, photo by Jo Cosme

ARTS at King Street Station is a dynamic space for arts and culture in the heart of Seattle. We invite you to propose exhibitions and events to take place on King Street Station’s top floor, a 7,500 square-foot cultural space, during the 2025 calendar season.

You can propose visual art exhibitions, performances, literary readings, lectures and symposia, screenings, reading groups, debates, sketching and figure drawing, combinations of these formats, and more. You can request funding in set amounts from in-kind (gallery usage only with staff support) up to $7,000.

Please read the guidelines for full details.

Español Tiếng Việt 中文（简体) Soomaali አማርኛ Tagalog

Eligibility

You can apply as an individual or a group of people if:

• You are 15 years of age and older.
• You represent emerging and/or established artists.

Groups and organizations can also apply:

• They can be nonprofit, grassroots, or business organizations.
• They seek support for a project or event involving arts and culture.
• They are NOT required to be dedicated to an arts and culture mission.
• They are NOT required to have 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

Your proposal must:

• Take place onsite at ARTS at King Street Station, 303 S. Jackson Street. The majority of selected programming will take place on the top floor.
• Align with our commitment to race and social justice.
• Have a significant arts and culture component.
• Be free, all-ages, and open to the public.
• Take place during our gallery public hours: Wednesday–Saturday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; First Thursdays 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays are not available for events.

Your project must NOT:

• Directly sell materials or post prices, though you may place identification and contact information so buyers may arrange for sales outside of ARTS at King Street Station.
• Use ticket sales. All programs must be presented free of charge to the public.
• Be a for-profit or commercially touring event.

We strongly encourage compensation for labor. ARTS at King Street Station references WAGE (USA), CARFAC (Canada), and NAVA (Australia) recommendations on equitable compensation. Additionally, Seattle’s minimum wage is $19.97/hour.

Funding

Funded proposals will receive in-kind (use of the gallery with curatorial and communications support) or financial support in the following set amounts:

• Exhibitions/Installations: in-kind only, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $7,000
• Events: in-kind only, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
• You may be offered a funding level different from your request.

You can use funding to support direct project expenses: artist fees, marketing and promotional fees, project management and personnel costs, supplies, and equipment rentals or other production-related costs. Funding may not be used for equipment purchases.

We will not fund:

• Fundraising efforts
• Gifts
• Administrative costs not directly related to your proposal
• For-profit or touring event/exhibitions
• The purchase of equipment.

Due Date

The call remains open through 2024 with a rolling deadline. Cycles for review in 2024 have these due dates: July 2, Sept. 10, and Nov. 9.

Please allow ample time to complete your application. Applications submitted after 5 p.m. (Pacific) on each due date will be considered for the following cycle.

Information Workshops

Learn more about this opportunity and how to submit your best application. If you need interpretation, please contact James Coley at (206) 684-4186 or James.Coley@seattle.gov. We highly encourage first-time applicants to attend one of the below workshops or watch this recording:

Virtual Workshop 1
Wednesday, June 5, 3 - 4:30 p.m. (Pacific)
RSVP to Workshop 1

Virtual Workshop 2
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
RSVP to Workshop 2

Virtual Workshop 3
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
RSVP to Workshop 3

Application

Apply online through Submittable.

If you have trouble, check their FAQ for step-by-step guides. You can also contact Submittable tech support at support@submittable.com.

Contact

For information and assistance with the application, eligibility or online technical support, please contact KSS Program Lead, James Coley at (206) 684-4186 or James.Coley@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. 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. 

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 10/11/23 and by 5 PM (PST) 3/1/24 will be reviewed during the March review cycle
• Applications submitted between 3/1/24 and by 5 PM (PST) 6/7/24 will be reviewed during the June review cycle
• Applications submitted between 6/7/24 and by 5 PM (PST) 10/11/24 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

Apply on Submittable.

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.

smART Ventures Grant (Rolling Due Date)

Black Arts Love 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.  

Read the full guidelines.

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

Apply here.

Info

For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please contact Project Manager, Kristi Woo.

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.