Artist Resources

A collection of resources, organizations, and tools to support artists and creative workers across Washington State. Explore opportunities, build your practice, find professional and financial support, and connect with the broader arts community.

Many of these organizations offer multiple forms of assistance, from funding and professional development to legal guidance, business resources, and creative space. Start with the resources below to discover what’s available and follow their links to explore additional programs, directories, and opportunities.

Artist Trust | https://artisttrust.org/

Artist Trust supports individual artists across all disciplines to enrich community life throughout Washington State. Through grants, fellowships, awards, professional development workshops, learning resources, and community programs, Artist Trust helps artists at different stages of their careers. Its resource library and database connect artists with funding opportunities, residencies, employment listings, studio space and housing, discipline-specific resources, legal and health resources, and emergency assistance programs.

Grants: https://artisttrust.org/grants/
Resources: https://artisttrust.org/search-resources/

Shunpike | https://shunpike.org/

Shunpike supports small and mid-sized arts groups through fiscal sponsorship, arts business advice, storefronts, artist residencies, the Artists of Color Expo & Symposium, and other programs that help artists manage the business side of their work.

Opportunities: https://shunpike.org/artist-opportunities/

ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission) | https://www.arts.wa.gov/

Washington State’s arts agency offers information about public funding, arts programs, teaching-artist development, and opportunities that support creative work across the state.

Show Your Art | https://showyourart.org/

A community-driven project started by PNW artist Sarah E. Miller dedicated to empowering new and emerging visual artists in the Pacific Northwest. Through comprehensive guidebooks and ongoing work with both PNW venues and artists, the project connects creatives with local businesses and organizations eager to showcase new artist's work. A fiscal sponsee of Allied Arts Foundation!

Instagram (frequently shares events, calls for art, grants, and other opportunities): https://www.instagram.com/showyourartpnw/

Washington Lawyers for the Arts | https://www.thewla.org/

Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA) is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Washington state by creating alliances and making legal resources accessible to artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. WLA offers Arts Legal Clinics, Legal Workshops, Legal Referrals, and a Speakers’ Bureau.

Resources: https://www.thewla.org/resources/

SMASH | https://www.smashseattle.org/

SMASH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping local musicians healthy by providing free and low-cost access to primary care, mental health treatment, dental, vision, hearing, Substance Use Disorder treatment, and health care navigation. SMASH serves musicians living in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Kitsap and Thurston counties.

Regional Resources

4Culture (King County) | https://www.4culture.org/

King County’s cultural funding agency connects artists and cultural organizations with funding, programs, and resources that support the region’s creative communities.

Explore its grant programs, opportunities, and resources for artists and cultural practitioners.

Grants + Artist Calls: https://www.4culture.org/grants-artist-calls/
Resource Library: https://rosters.4culture.org/resource-library/

South King County Cultural Coalition (King County) | https://sococulture.org/

More than 70 arts and heritage organizations throughout South King County have come together to offer this resource where you can learn more about cultural events, exhibits, classes, volunteer opportunities, auditions/artist calls, and other aspects of the cultural life of our local communities.

Snohomish County Arts Commission (Snohomish County) | https://www.snocoarts.org/

The Snohomish County Arts Commission promotes artistic diversity, expands access to arts education, supports local artists, and encourages an understanding of cultural expression. Through the arts’ ability to foster empathy and respect, our communities grow/become closer to each other and their environment.

City of Auburn Arts and Entertainment | https://www.auburnwa.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=11470638&pageId=12529065

The City of Auburn offers a variety of cultural arts programming for performing arts, visual arts, public art, special events and more.

Calls to Artists and Opportunities: https://www.auburnwa.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=11470638&pageId=12529234

City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (Seattle) | https://www.seattle.gov/arts/

Funding and opportunities for Seattle artists and arts organizations.

Spokane Arts (Spokane) | https://spokanearts.org/

Spokane Arts supports arts and culture in the region through grantmaking, programming, advocacy, and professional development.

City of Tacoma Arts & Cultural Vitality (Tacoma) | https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/arts-cultural-vitality/

Funding and opportunities for Tacoma artists and arts organizations.

TacomaArt Listserv (Tacoma) | https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/arts-cultural-vitality/stay-informed/

The TacomaArt listserv is a two-way email list where subscribers receive and can post information regarding upcoming events, calls to artists, grant opportunities, live/work space info, and jobs in the arts. The list reaches 1,250+ artists, arts organizations, and art supporters.

Spaceworks (Tacoma) | https://www.spaceworkstacoma.com/

Spaceworks makes Tacoma culturally vibrant and economically strong through training and support for artists and creative entrepreneurs. Spaceworks incubates successful creative businesses, and offers arts opportunities through a variety of programs and services.

Teaching Artist Resources

ArtsEd | https://www.artsedwashington.org/

Connects students, educators, policymakers, and community partners to strengthen arts education across the state.

Teaching Artist Training (TAT) Lab | https://www.arts.wa.gov/tat-lab/

TAT Lab is a statewide community working at the intersections of arts, education, and teaching artistry. We provide an annual professional development program, workshops, and resources to teaching artists and arts educators across Washington State.  

MoNA — Creative Connections Teaching Artist Roster (La Conner) | https://www.monamuseum.org/creativeconnections

Artist Rosters