2025-2026 Artists at the Center Fund

Artists at the Center is a multi-year initiative supported by a 10-year community benefit grant from Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken. It is managed through a collaboration between the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Center, with added support from Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition and local communities near the Seattle Center campus. The program aims to activate public spaces with vibrant artistic programming that reflects the cultural diversity of Seattle, offering emerging and established artists an opportunity to engage with broad audiences through public performances. The primary purpose of Artists at the Center is to support a diverse range of artists by presenting free, accessible pop-up performances at various locations on the Seattle Center campus. These performances, taking place from November 2025 through September 2026, can include disciplines such as music, dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary art. The initiative seeks to foster artistic career growth, enhance community cultural engagement, and amplify underrepresented voices in the arts. Grants are offered at three levels—$2,000, $4,000, and $6,000—based on the size and scope of the proposed performance. Each award level includes additional in-kind production support from Seattle Center. Eligible expenses include artist fees, marketing, project management, supplies, production costs, insurance, and up to 10% for food-related expenses. Performances must be free, open to the public, and held at one of the eligible Seattle Center locations. Applicants must be based in or have active programming within Seattle and be located in King County. Individual artists, artist-led collectives, and community-based organizations are eligible, though applicants from the 2024–2025 season are ineligible for the 2025–2026 cycle. Groups are not required to have nonprofit status or use a fiscal sponsor. Only one application per cycle is allowed, and co-applicants cannot submit multiple applications for the same event. Applications must be submitted online through the City of Seattle’s Fluxx portal between May 6, 2025, and June 17, 2025, by 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Two hybrid information sessions will be offered on May 22 and June 3. Evaluation criteria include career advancement potential, project feasibility, artistic and cultural impact, and community connections. The panel review will occur in August 2025, with notifications in September and performances starting in November. For assistance, applicants can contact Zach Frimmel, Project Manager, at (206) 963-9226 or via email at zach.frimmel@seattle.gov. Additional resources include FAQs, production guidelines, and interpreters for various languages, including American Sign Language. All applicants are encouraged to review materials, attend sessions, and submit early to avoid technical issues. Final awardees must comply with public benefit obligations, insurance requirements, and Seattle business licensing, and are required to submit impact reports post-performance.