Artist Shruti Ghatak chats with a visitor in her exhibition Myths to Mundane. Photo by Marcus Donner. Artists, curators, and community groups should apply
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (OAC) is now accepting applications for 2027 exhibitions in its cultural space and gallery, ARTS at King Street Station. Located on the top floor of the historic train depot that opened in 1906, this dynamic space for arts and culture is dedicated to increasing opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized artists to generate and present their work. Awards of up to $20,000 are available.
“This is a space for art that helps us see ourselves, troubles us or instills pride in who we’ve been, or that takes us and sets us down somewhere entirely unexpected,” said James Coley, King Street Station Program Lead. “This is a space for artists who want to show the power of art to community and in community.”
“Exhibiting at ARTS at King Street Station was really impactful for my career,” said Jo Cosme. “The space, and especially its location, gave the work visibility and access that felt meaningful. The show led directly to new opportunities and conversations with community members were just as important, shaping how I think about my work.”
Apply for the 2027 ARTS at King Street Station exhibition call before it closes on Sept. 29 at 5 PM Pacific. The guidelines are also available in Amharic, Chinese (Traditional), Hindi, Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Virtual information workshops are available to help you turn in your best application.
What People Are Saying
Than Tan, South Vietnam’s Golden Music Archive
“ARTS at King Street Station was the first to recognize the potential of my archive and gave me the space and resources to share it with the public. This opportunity was transformative for me as an artist and curator: I learned that there is a real audience and momentum for this work.”
Shruti Ghatak, Myths to Mundane
“Exhibiting at ARTS at King Street Station was a pivotal moment in my artistic career. The space provided a rare opportunity to present large-scale narrative paintings and terracotta reliefs in dialogue with one another; something that is central to my practice but not always possible in traditional gallery settings.”
Mohamed Abdullahi, Journey Through Life and Beyond
“This was my first solo exhibition, and I learned a lot about the process and what goes in to it. Even if you’re new to this and this is your first time, staff will navigate you through the process and make it a little easier for you. As an artist the process of bringing your vision to life is already daunting. But here everything feels alright.”
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About ARTS at King Street Station
ARTS at King Street Station is a dynamic space for arts and culture in the heart of the city dedicated to increasing opportunities for people of color to generate and present their work. Housed above Seattle’s historic King Street Station, this 7,500-square-foot gallery and cultural space includes a studio for artists-in-residence and offices for the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (OAC).
Exhibitions and programs come to the gallery through an open application and are recommended by a cohort of King Street Station Advisors before OAC staff approve. These advisors are a group of community leaders and arts/culture enthusiasts who work with our staff to ensure that the programming at ARTS at King Street Station centers racial equity, represents and welcomes diverse communities, and showcases many creative disciplines. Advisors serve a two-year term.
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 (OAC) 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, OAC seeks 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. OAC will continue to break barriers and build arts-integrated tools that challenge the status quo and push us toward the inclusive society we envision.
OAC is supported by the 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
