Seattle Office of Arts & Culture: Public Art Boot Camp 2026- 2027
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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.