Funding and tech support for artists available

SEATTLE, WA – The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture opened its Artists at the Center grant today. Emerging and established artists can apply to present a pop-up performance on the Seattle Center campus. Grant awards of $2,000, $4,000, and $6,000 are available.

“This is a good opportunity for performing artists to reach the bustling audiences that are always at Seattle Center,” said Zach Frimmel, Grants Project Manager. “Whether they’re coming off the Monorail, sitting down to eat at The Armory, or passing through on their way to a Kraken game, you’ll be able to reach a broad range of people that maybe you normally wouldn’t.”

This is a multi-year collaboration between Arts & Culture and Seattle Center, with support from the Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition. It’s funded by a 10-year community benefit grant from Climate Pledge Arena and Seattle Kraken.

“We support the creative economy by collaborating with these partners,” said Gülgün Kayim, Director of the Office of Arts & Culture. “This infuses an element of surprise and delight for Seattle Center visitors and gives artists a chance showcase their talents.”

Apply for this call before it closes June 17 at 5 p.m. Pacific. The guidelines are also available in Amharic, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Information workshops are available to help you turn in your best application.

What People Are Saying

As someone who grew up in this area, with countless memories in The Armory as a kid, it was so special to hear my music resonating across the space. I reached 100 new listeners through this. Strangers even donated towards my album. This was one of my favorite shows I have ever played.

– Jahnvi Madan, 2025 Artists at the Center grantee

We brought Indigenous culture through music to people of all backgrounds. It was a great show.

– Sondra Cunningham, Khu.éex’, 2021 Artists at the Center grantee

It was very good for our group to do this project. Being part of a city project helps raise our profile.

– Gus Denhard, Trío Guadalevín, 2023 Artists at the Center grantee

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About Artists at the Center

Artists at the Center is a multi-year collaboration between the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Center, with support from Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition and the communities adjacent to Seattle Center campus. The program is made possible by a 10-year grant from Climate Pledge Arena and Seattle Kraken.

We introduce emerging and established artists and celebrate their talent on Seattle Center campus. Artists are given a performance opportunity, allowing them to connect with new audiences, display their talents and advance their careers. Visitors to campus and the surrounding neighborhood benefit from surprising and delightful pop-up performances throughout the year.

Each year, artists are selected with an equity and social justice lens, ensuring equitable representation for underserved and emerging artists. Artistic genres include music, dance, theater, demonstrations, and multi-disciplinary work.

For up-to-date performance and schedule information, please visit Seattle Center’s website.

About the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Formed in 1971 with a mission to activate and sustain Seattle through arts and culture, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture manages the City’s public art program, cultural partnerships grant programs, The Creative Advantage arts education initiative, and cultural facilities such as the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and ARTS at King Street Station.

In alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, we seek new solutions that use arts as a strategy to drive not only our office, but the City as a whole toward racial equity and social justice. We will continue to break barriers and build arts-integrated tools that challenge the status quo and push us toward the inclusive society we envision.

We are supported by the 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council.