• Project Title: Boundary Dam Vista House  
• Issuing Agency: Seattle Office of Arts & Culture  
• Partner Agency: Seattle City Light

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with Seattle City Light, Kalispel Metal Products, and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, invites select artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for an outdoor, site-specific public art installation at the Boundary Dam Vista House in Metaline Falls, Washington.

Perched above the Pend Oreille River near the Boundary Dam Hydroelectric Project, the Vista House offers sweeping views and deep cultural significance. This opportunity seeks an artist to create a compelling exterior artwork (approx. 7’ x 20’) that celebrates the region’s natural beauty, Indigenous heritage, and the intersection of ecology, culture, and innovation.

The selected artist will:

•  Develop a site-integrated concept informed by meaningful community engagement
•  Authentically reflect Indigenous perspectives and local history
•  Create durable, sustainable artwork suitable for outdoor conditions
•  Collaborate with project partners and present designs for review   

Design Budget: $20,000 (all-inclusive)  Application Deadline: April 30, 2026  Project Completion: Fall 2027

This call emphasizes artists with experience working with Indigenous communities, particularly Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

🔗 View the full RFQ and application details here: https://tinyurl.com/VISTA-HOUSE2 🔗

____________________________________________________   Privacy Notice:

Information that you provide below will become part of a record that is subject to public disclosure. The Office of Arts & Culture will not publish this information, but we are legally bound to provide it upon request. For more information, see the Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. To learn more about how we manage your information, see our Privacy Statement at www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/priva

• Project Title: Usk Fish Hatchery Public Art Project
• Issuing Agency: Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
• Partner Agency: Seattle City Light

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with Seattle City Light, Kalispel Metal Products, and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, invites select artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for an outdoor, site-specific public art installation at the Native Salmonid Conservation Facility (NSCF) in Usk, Washington.

Located within the Pend Oreille River watershed, the NSCF is dedicated to restoring native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout populations while honoring the cultural heritage of the region. This opportunity seeks an artist to create a compelling exterior artwork (approx. 5’ x 5’) along the facility’s entrance driveway that welcomes visitors and reflects the interconnected themes of ecology, conservation, and Indigenous knowledge.

The selected artist will:

• Develop a site-integrated concept informed by meaningful community engagement
• Authentically reflect Indigenous perspectives and environmental stewardship
• Create durable, sustainable artwork suitable for high-altitude outdoor conditions
• Collaborate with project partners and present designs for review

Design Budget: $20,000 (all-inclusive) Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 Project Completion: Early Fall 2027

This call emphasizes artists with experience working with Indigenous communities, particularly the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.   

🔗 View the full RFQ and application details here: https://tinyurl.com/Usk-Hatchery 🔗

____________________________________________________   Privacy Notice:

Information that you provide below will become part of a record that is subject to public disclosure. The Office of Arts & Culture will not publish this information, but we are legally bound to provide it upon request. For more information, see the Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. To learn more about how we manage your information, see our Privacy Statement at www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/priva

Project Title: Implicit Bias Training Animation for Public Art Selection Panels 

Issuing Agency: Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (OAC)

Artwork Budget: $60,000 (all inclusive)

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) seeks an animation artist or artist team to develop and produce a ten (10) minute animated, educational video focused on implicit bias within the public art selection processes. 

The animation will be integrated into ARTS’ public art selection panel orientations and is intended to support panelists in recognizing how implicit bias may influence their review, scoring, discussion, and recommendations or artists. The final video will function as a reusable training and facilitation tool that supports more equitable, transparent, and consistent decision-making across public art initiatives.  

This is an open call for a regional artist or artist team to work closely with ARTS staff to produce this animation. 

🔗Click here for the full artist call 🔗

____________________________________________________   Privacy Notice:

Information that you provide below will become part of a record that is subject to public disclosure. The Office of Arts & Culture will not publish this information, but we are legally bound to provide it upon request. For more information, see the Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. To learn more about how we manage your information, see our Privacy Statement at www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/priva

Introduction

The Creative Advantage is a partnership between Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Public Schools to increase student access to arts learning.

The Creative Advantage Community Arts Partner Roster is a list of artists, teaching artists, and community arts and culture organizations approved to receive compensation through The Creative Advantage in Seattle Public Schools. Arts partners from the Roster provide integrated and/or cultural arts residencies for students and/or professional development for teachers.

The Creative Advantage Community Arts Partner Roster is maintained by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture as a resource for schools seeking partners to help them meet their arts education equity goals.

The Roster opens for 2026 on November 1, 2025, and will stay open year-round for new 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.

Deadlines for 2026 Submissions:

• Applications submitted between 11/1/25 and by 5 PM (PST) 2/28/26 will be reviewed during the March review cycle.
• Applications submitted between 3/1/26 and by 5 PM (PST) 5/31/26 will be reviewed during the June review cycle.
• Applications submitted between 6/1/26 and by 5 PM (PST) 9/30/26 will be reviewed during the October review cycle.

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.

An applicant can apply to provide integrated/cultural arts residencies for students and/or professional development opportunities for teachers. Applicants must indicate whether they want to be considered for one or both of these options.

Application Components

All applications must be submitted online through Submittable.

Documents to Submit: Applicants will upload documentation of their work as an individual artist, teaching artist, or arts organization: 

• Individual artist biography or organizational history & teaching artist biographies
• Sample lesson plan(s) or class outline(s)
• Work samples
• Professional development plan (if applicable)

Narrative Questions: Applicants will complete questions that provide information on the following: 

• Teaching philosophy and approach
• Equity & access
• Culturally responsive strategies
• 21st Century Skills development
• Lesson plan development
• Teacher collaboration

Review Criteria

Applications for Arts Residencies for Students will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• Approach & Collaboration: Clear approach and experience teaching art to young people
• Lesson Planning: Ability to develop a lesson plan or class outline
• Equity & Access: Experience and skills working with participants of diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; experience working with communities experiencing oppression and inclusion of culturally responsive teaching practices 
• Integrated & Cultural Arts: Experience teaching effective integrated arts and/or cultural arts to young people
• 21st Century Skills: Ability to articulate clear arts learning objectives and assessment criteria that include one or more 21st Century Skills (creative and critical thinking, communication, collaboration, perseverance, and growth-mindset)
• Work Samples: Samples demonstrate abilities, experience, and/or achievements as a teaching artist or teaching artist organization

Applications for Professional Development for Teachers will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• Approach & Collaboration: Clear approach and experience leading teacher professional development 
• Professional Development Planning: Ability to articulate clear arts learning objectives for adult learners 
• Equity & Access: Experience and skills working with participants of diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; experience working with communities experiencing oppression and inclusion of culturally responsive teaching practices
• Integrated Arts: Ability to develop a professional development outline for teachers for integrating the arts
• 21st Century Skills: Activities that support teachers to foster 21st Century Skills with students in their own classrooms
• Work Samples: Ability to evaluate/assess and demonstrate impact of professional development on participants

Notification of Results

All applicants will be notified of panel decisions by email, after each round of panel reviews (end of March/early April, end of June/early July, end of October/early November).

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture reserves the right not to select any of the applicants.

Questions About This Opportunity?

Please contact the Arts Education Project Manager Tina LaPadula, at tina.lapadula@seattle.gov

Tips:

1. Read the guidelines, online instructions, and, if need be, contact Submittable for any technical questions.
2. Schedule a 1:1 mentoring session with the Arts Education Project Manager (Tina LaPadula - tina.lapadula@seattle.gov) for support completing the application or to talk through the basics of a class outline or learning plan.
3. Submit your application early to avoid errors or technical difficulties. Please do not wait until the last minute.

How to Use Submittable

Submittable maintains a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and offers step-by-step guides on their help platform here. For further assistance with the Submittable online application, please contact Submittable tech support at support@submittable.com

Additional Opportunities

The Creative Advantage is one way that the Office of Arts & Culture supports arts education and creative youth development. Join our mailing list to learn about professional development, arts funding, and innovative creative youth program opportunities.

Privacy Notice:

Information that you provide in your application will become part of a record that is subject to public disclosure. The Office of Arts & Culture will not publish this information, but we are legally bound to provide it upon request. For more information, see the Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. To learn more about how we manage your information, see our Privacy  Statement at www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/privacy.

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Arts & Culture (OAC) is offering a professional development program for visual artists who are interested in the public art realm but have limited experience. Artists will be selected through a competitive process to participate in a series of monthly workshops, seminars and lectures focused on public art practice. The program will culminate in a review with feedback from multiple project managers and other public art professionals. Workshops will take place approximately September 2026 through January 2027.

ARTS is invested in training the next generation of public artists who can create culturally relevant artworks that resonate with the diverse communities that make up the population of the City of Seattle. Public Art Boot Camp provides training for artists who are ready to translate their exhibition and other studio art experience into the public art realm. Seeking artists with an interest in developing their own skills and knowledge in public art and exploring how their artwork intersects with topics such as:

- Race and Social Justice

- Community engagement

- Environmental stewardship

- Modes of transportation

This is a competitive process so artists must apply to be considered. Up to 18 individual artists will be selected to participate.

This is a paid opportunity. Participants will be provided with an honorarium of $200 for each workshop session attended, totaling no more than $1,000 per participant. 

The application due date is: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5pm (PST)

Please register for the Information Session: City of Seattle Public Art Boot Camp which will take place on Thursday, April 23, Noon RSVP information below. Candidates will be asked to submit application materials through the Office of Arts & Culture Submittable Page. 

1. BACKGROUND 

1.1. DESCRIPTION

OAC’s public art division has activated Seattle’s public realm for more than 40 years and is committed to supporting artists at all stages of their careers through professional development opportunities. Public Art Boot Camp is designed to prepare artists who are new to public art to work effectively within public processes, community-centered contexts, and civic environments.

The 2026–2027 Public Art Boot Camp will operate as a cohort model of 15-18 artists; each paired with ARTS staff mentors. Participants will engage in a series of day-long workshops, lectures, and seminars covering a wide range of public art topics, including working with public agencies, community engagement, concept development, fabrication considerations, and installation logistics. 

Sessions will be held on the second Saturday of the month at ARTS King Street Station (303 S Jackson St, Top Floor, Seattle WA) and will last approximately 5 hours. Workshops will take place approximately September 2026 through January 2027 (Tentative dates to be confirmed are 9/12/2026, 10/10/2026, 11/14/2026, 12/12/2026 and 1/9/2027).

1.2. PROGRAM GOALS 

Program goals include:

· Support artists who are new to public art in developing the skills and confidence needed to work in public settings.

· Advance relevant artwork that reflects and resonates with the ideals of Seattle’s communities.

· Encourage thoughtful, community-informed approaches to temporary public artwork.

· Lower barriers to entry for artists from a range of educational, professional, and lived-experience backgrounds.

· Promote best practices in the public art field.

· Develop a cohort of learning and network of artists that will support each other into the future.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

· Professional Development Sessions 

Artists will attend monthly workshops, lectures, and seminars designed to provide a broad range of information relevant to the field of public art. Workshops are led by artists and professionals in the field and may cover topics such as public art process, community engagement, working with public agencies, business considerations, and project development. 

Artists may be required to review video and/or written material prior to professional development sessions. Artists will be active participants in discussions and presentations, engaging in learning activities, asking questions, and bringing their personal experiences and art practice to each session to the benefit of the cohort.

Some presentations may be filmed and made available to the public following the program. By participating, artists consent to the possibility of being filmed and included in these productions.

· Collaboration, Communication, & Presentations

Participants will work collaboratively with OAC staff and fellow cohort members through regular meetings and seminar sessions. Artists will be expected to fully engage and participate in a series of discussions, activities and other tasks as provided. 

· Communications Support 

Provide materials to support public awareness of the program, such as artist statements, interviews, brief written content, and visual assets (e.g., sketches, renderings, headshots), in coordination with and as requested by OAC staff.

3. TIMELINE & WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Artists will be selected in June/July 2026. Artists will begin participating in workshops, outreach, and program activities starting in  September 2026. Timeline is subject to change. 

· RFQ Opening – Wednesday, April 15

· RFQ Deadline – Monday, May 18, 2026

· Artist Selection – June/July 2026

· Workshops & Seminars – September 2026 through January 2027

• o Workshop 1: Orientation & Public Art Foundations
• o Workshop 2: Concept Development & Project Planning
• o Workshop 3: Fabrication & Implementation
• o Workshop 4: Public Art Business 101
• o Workshop 5: Graduation, Artist Roster Application and More

4. BUDGET

Artists will be compensated $1,000 for attendance and participation in all required workshops, lectures, and program activities, divided into $200 per session.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS

5.1. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. Statement of Interest (250 words maximum): Describe your interest in public art and participation in Public Art Boot Camp.

2. Biographical Statement (300 words maximum): Provide a concise overview of your artistic background, including education, training, lived experience, and relevant professional experience. This may include formal and informal learning, self-directed practice, cultural knowledge, community-based work, or other pathways that have shaped your artistic development. 

3. Supplemental Questions (75 words maximum per question): 

· How does your background or life experience inform your artwork?

· Is there anything in your application you would like to highlight or emphasize for the selection panel?

· Based on what you know about public art, what information or experience would be key in your advancing into making art for the public realm? 

· How would Public Art Bootcamp fit into your career trajectory?

4. Work Samples: Provide up to 10 high-resolution images of past projects, with descriptions of scope, materials, and impact.

 You may submit the above written material via audio/video responses. These spoken responses should not be highly produced or edited, but rather short recordings that speak directly to the prompts. The intent is to provide an option to individuals who feel they can better represent themselves verbally versus in writing. Your audio/video responses must not exceed the stated time limits. Time limits: Statement of Interest (60 seconds maximum), Biographical Statement and Supplemental Questions combined (90 seconds maximum). 

5.2. ELIGIBILITY 

This is an open call to all qualified artists living in Washington State who have not received a single temporary or publicly sited art commission over $20,000. For eligibility purposes, a commission is defined as an artwork that is created by an artist at the request of an entity (public agency, private business, corporation, or individual) that is displayed in a public location. 

Public Art Boot Camp is intended for artists who are new to public art. Artists who have previously participated in OAC’s Public Boot Camp are not eligible. Applicants must be 18 years or older and current students attending any undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible to apply.

OAC is committed to an equitable selection process and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented artists, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Artists of all walks of life are encouraged to apply.

5.3. APPLICATION DEADLINE

The application due date is: Monday, May 18, 2026, 5pm (PST)

6. SELECTION PROCESS

During artist selection, a panel consisting of arts professionals, ARTS staff, and a community representative will review submitted application materials and identify up to 18 artists to recommend for acceptance. 

6.1. SELECTION CRITERIA

The artist will be selected based on the following criteria: 

· Readiness to engage in public art practice 

· Interest in public art, community engagement and/or collaborative processes 

· Cohesive artistic voice and demonstrated commitment to artistic practice

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Questions about this opportunity?  Please contact Maija McKnight, Public Art Project Manager, Maija.McKnight@Seattle.gov

Questions about using Submittable? Submittable maintains an FAQ and offers step-by-step guides on their help platform here. For further assistance with the Submittable online application, please contact Submittable tech support at support@submittable.com.

Project Managers will be hosting an optional online information session on Thursday, April 23, Noon (PST) which will be recorded and made available following. To participate please register to receive the link HERE.