ARTISTS UP

In 2017, ARTISTS UP reached its fifth year as a funder collaborative supporting and advancing individual artists with attention to historically underrepresented artists in Seattle-King County. Building on constituent-informed action steps, the AU team continued improving grantmaking processes, offering networking opportunities and connecting vital resources to artists.

Public Art Boot Camp

With a mission to broaden the field of professional public artists to include better representation from emerging artists and artists from historically under-represented communities and communities of color, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture offered Public Art Boot Camp in 2017. An intensive, free, two-day basic training in public artwork, Public Art Boot Camp provided a boost to artists ready to translate their studio or gallery experience into the public realm. Through a competitive process, 30 artists were selected to participate. They attended workshops on topics like finding opportunities, selection processes, contracts, working with design professionals, approvals, fabrication, installation, and more. Participants were included in an invitational opportunity to create temporary artworks for “Art Interruptions: Rainier Valley Greenway” and “Seattle Center Sculpture Walk”. Following Public Art Boot Camp, 14 of the 30 participating artists received their first public project commissions through our office or other organizations.

SALT

Now in its third year, the Seattle Arts Leadership Team (SALT), continued to provide flexible and creative professional development support for artists and arts administrators. SALT hosted networking events, a speaker series, and a book club. SALT combines the need for on-going professional development with the creativity of the sector by bringing interesting, challenging and thought-provoking workshops, networking, and training with a racial equity focus to the Seattle’s arts ecology. Events are free and open to anybody who wishes to join. Sign up for updates about upcoming programs here.

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