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 2025 on November 1, 2024, 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 2025 Submissions:

• 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.

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.

The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) seeking two artists through an open call process, specializing in animation for a unique residency program hosted in two of Seattle’s historic bridge towers: the Fremont Bridge (northwest tower) and the University Bridge (southeast tower). If you are interested in being considered for this project, please email your interest and availability for this project to Jesse Jimenez, Public Art Project Manager by APRIL 15, 2025. Candidates will be reviewed based on the information submitted through the Office of Arts & Culture Submittable Page.  
 

1. BACKGROUND 

1.1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The AiR Program offers a creative workspace within these iconic structures, designed to inspire the development of new animation projects. Artists are encouraged to explore and reflect on themes such as the bridges' engineering marvels, SDOT data, cultural and historical significance, or their metaphorical role in connecting communities.

The work developed through this residency will be featured at King Street Station Gallery in a February 2026 exhibition. 

1.2. AiR and Animation 

This year’s residency is designed for animation artists and welcomes a wide range of animation techniques, including but not limited to traditional animation, stop motion, anime, 3D animation, cut-out animation, and rotoscoping. Animation is an ideal medium for the Bridge AiR Program with SDOT because it offers unparalleled flexibility in storytelling and visual experimentation. Through animation, artists can weave narratives that celebrate the history, engineering, and community significance of Seattle's historic bridges, while reimagining their iconic qualities in ways that transcend the limitations of physical reality. The medium's capacity to bring fantastical concepts to life makes it uniquely suited to capturing the imagination and inspiring new ways of seeing these landmarks.

• The Role of Animation in Storytelling: Animation's roots in storytelling make it a powerful tool for sharing the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Seattle's bridges. It can transform technical feats into accessible narratives, revealing the bridges' architectural marvels and their role in shaping the city's identity. By animating archival materials, oral histories, or abstract interpretations, artists can create immersive experiences that resonate emotionally with diverse audiences.
• Visual Experimentation and Reimagining the Iconic: Animation allows artists to explore experimental visuals, blending realism with abstraction to highlight the distinct characteristics of each bridge. For example, a timelapse of bridge movements, reinterpreted through surreal or exaggerated animation techniques, could symbolize the bridges as living, breathing entities. Similarly, vibrant animations could celebrate the bridges’ connection to the city’s natural surroundings, such as the water, mountains, and urban skyline.
• Animation's History of Making the Impossible Possible: Animation has always been celebrated for its ability to defy physical constraints and make the impossible tangible. This capability aligns beautifully with the essence of bridges themselves, which are engineering marvels that connect disparate spaces and overcome natural obstacles. Animation can extend this metaphor, envisioning bridges that move, grow, or interact in ways that reflect the dreams and aspirations of Seattle’s communities.
• Historical Significance of Animation: From the early hand-drawn works of animation pioneers to the boundary-pushing innovations in CGI and motion graphics, animation has a rich history as a medium of limitless possibility. This legacy empowers artists to use animation as a means of envisioning Seattle’s bridges in ways that might be unattainable through more traditional mediums, creating a visionary lens that inspires future innovation and appreciation.
• Community Engagement Through Animation: Animation is also highly accessible, offering a medium that can engage the community in dynamic ways. From short films to interactive digital projections, animation allows artists to incorporate input from residents, showcasing collective stories and perspectives. This fosters a deeper connection between the community and its infrastructure, reinforcing a shared sense of ownership and pride. 

1.3. LINKS

• 2024 SDOT Bridge Artist in Residence Showcase 
• 2023 SDOT Bridge Artist in Residence Showcase 
•  Seattle Department of Transportation
   

2. SCOPE OF WORK 

ARTS, in partnership with SDOT seek two artists to conduct meaningful community engagement to develop a permanent/temporary or site-integrated artwork as part of the overall capital project. 

The selected artist/artist team will work with the community and city staff to: 

• Conduct meaningful community engagement activities to gather input and thoughtfully integrate community-driven ideas to inform the development of the artwork. 
• Develop an art/project concept that reflects the voices of the community and integrates with the overall capital project design and/or project goals. 
• Fabricate and install site-specific, durable public artwork (if applicable). 
• Collaborate with city staff, the design team, and the community throughout the project.

The artist will be asked to gain an understanding of the overall capital project, the neighborhood, and/or the function of the site location. 

Additional requirements include: 

• Residency Hours: Artists are expected to spend 8–15 hours per week in their assigned studio space, with schedules developed in consultation with ARTS.
• Public Presentation: Each artist must present their completed work to the public. This will include working with ARTS gallery staff as needed for exhibition planning. 
• Safety Training: Artists must complete mandatory safety training with SDOT before the residency begins.
• Internet Access: Bridge towers do not have Wi-Fi. Artists requiring connectivity must arrange for their own hotspot.

3. SITE DESCRIPTION 

The AiR Program offers a creative workspace within two iconic bridge structures:

The Fremont Bridge

• Constructed: 1917
• Significance: A historic landmark and one of the busiest bascule bridges in the world, rising for marine traffic an average of 35 times per day.
• Residency Space: Northwest tower (unoccupied). Features include windows with views of the Ship Canal, overhead lighting, and basic office furnishings.

The University Bridge

• Constructed: 1919
• Significance: A double-leaf drawbridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places, remodeled in 1933 and dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Residency Space: Southeast tower (unoccupied). Similar amenities to the Fremont Bridge’s residency space.

3.1. MAPS

•  Fremont Bridge Street View
• University Bridge Street View   

4. TIMELINE 

Timeline dates are subject to change. An artist/artist team will be selected and contracted in July 2025. The artist will participate in outreach events and activities with project team and independently immediately upon contracting. 

• Public Art Advisory Council Call Approval – February 
• RFQ Open – March 4, 2025 
• RFQ Close – April 15, 2025
• Semifinalists Selection – May 28, 2025
• Semifinalists Interviews – June 4, 2025
• Contracting and residency schedule confirmed – Through July 2025
• Project Development and Residency Period – Through December 2025
• King Street Station Gallery Exhibition – February 2026

Please Note: KSS Gallery has access to a limited amount of AV equipment. Artists will need to coordinate with ARTS Staff to ensure available equipment can be used for final exhibition.  

5. BUDGET 

Each artist will receive a stipend of $10,000. This stipend is all inclusive of travel expenses, taxes and other costs. Contracting will be done in two phases: $1,000 for development of animation proposal, and $9,000 for creation. Payments will be issued in installments according to a schedule set by ARTS staff in consultation with each artist. 

Current Washington state sales/use tax rates (10.35%) apply to all artist contracts issued during the project, regardless of where the artist resides (for out-of-state residents, use taxes are deducted from the above stated amounts and remitted directly to the state).

6. APPLICATION PROCESS 

6.1. APPLICATION REQUIERMENTS

To apply, submit the following materials through the ARTS Submittable Application Portal by 5 pm on Monday, April 15, 2025.

1. Work Samples: Submit 5-10 samples of recent work that demonstrate your animation style and range. Animated videos should be no longer than 5-minutes and uploaded to Submittable. Video links of hosting platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) will not be considered. Acceptable formats include MP4, JPEG, and GIF; files should not exceed 50 MB each.
2. Biographical Statement (500 words): Provide a brief description of your background and artistic journey (less than 500 words).
3. Statement of Interest (250 words): Describe why you are interested in this residency and how it aligns with your practice. Please limit your statement to 250 words.
4. General Residency Proposal (up to 500): Outline your initial concept for the residency, including themes or aspects of the bridge that you would like to explore. The proposal does not need to be fully developed but should convey your artistic vision for the project. 

6.2. ELIGIBILITY

This call is open to LOCAL at an EMERGING point in their career. Emerging artists have been defined as artists with no prior city of Seattle Commissions and no prior commissions with projects budgets exceeding $20,000. ​  

ARTS is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable art ecosystem that reflects the diversity of our community. We encourage applications from artists of all backgrounds including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, women, individuals with disabilities, and those from other historically underrepresented communities. 

6.3. APPLICATION DEADLINE

Deadline to submit application:  5 PM, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2025

7. SELECTION PROCESS 

The selection will take place in two parts. During the first round of the selection process, a panel consisting of arts professionals, project team members, and/or community members will review the applicants’ portfolio and qualifications materials submitted to the Public Artist Roster. The panelists will identify up to three finalists to interview. During the second round of the selection process, finalists will be interviewed, and the panel will select one artist to be awarded the commission. 

7.1. SELECTION CRITERIA

The artist will be reviewed based on any of the following criteria (as applicable to the project scope): 

• Artistic Alignment: This is crucial as the artwork must serve the project’s purpose and resonate with the community; aligning with the department goals.
• Community Engagement: Public art thrives on community input. Demonstrated experience and/or ability to integrate community feedback in meaningful ways is vital. 
• Quality of Past Work: Evaluation of technical skill, aesthetic appeal, and overall quality of previous creations, concepts, and/or designs.
• Creativity & Innovation: Ability to utilize unique approaches, push boundaries, and think “outside the box”.
• Public Art Experience (if applicable): Prior experience in public settings (installations, murals, etc.) is valuable. 
• Project Management: Ability to meet deadlines, budget constraints, and communication requirements ensure successful project completion. 

8. Accessibility 

The bridge towers are not ADA-accessible. Artists with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact Jesse Jimenez, Public Art Project Manager, at Jesse.Jimenez@seattle.gov, to discuss accommodations.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Artists are encouraged to ask questions. Please contact Jesse Jimenez, Public Art Project Manager, at Jesse.Jimenez@Seattle.gov for questions.

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/privacy.