City of Seattle, WA

10/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2024 18:16

Get funding to activate Seattle parks!

Festival CentroAmericano, photo by Jenny Crooks

Since 2016, Seattle's Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) has partnered with Seattle's Parks and Recreation (SPR) to increase arts and culture-based events in parks throughout the city. Through the Arts in Parks (AiP) program, the City invests in the vibrant cultural work being done in and by diverse communities throughout Seattle.

This program supports grassroots organizations, community-based groups, and individual artists seeking to activate Seattle parks through arts and culture in underserved and economically constrained areas of the city. This grant supports new and established festivals or events that promote arts and cultural participation, celebrate diversity, and build community connections while connecting with communities and audiences from historically unserved and/or underserved communities that represent Seattle's diversity.

The guidelines are also available in these languages:

Application

Apply online through the City of Seattle's grant website.  

If you don't have computer or internet access, or have any other barriers in applying, contact Zach Frimmel, Grants Project Manager, at (206) 963-9226 or [email protected].

Due Date

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, 5 p.m. (Pacific)

Eligibility/Requirements

You are eligible to apply for this grant if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are an individual artist, local organization, or community-based group located in, or presenting work regularly in, Seattle.
  • Organizations and individual artists representing communities most impacted by systemic oppression including low-income, people with disabilities, immigrant and refugee communities, and communities of color are encouraged to apply.
  • You have a Federal Tax ID number (Social Security Number, ITIN, or Employee Identification Number).
  • Groups applying are not required to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nor are they required to use a fiscal sponsor or fiscal agent.

You are not eligible to apply for this grant if:

  • You have an open Arts in Parks contract after Dec. 31, 2024.

Your project/event is eligible to be funded by this grant if it meets the following criteria:

  • Your project will have a significant arts and culture component.
  • Your project will be free and open to the public.
  • You will have event insurance for the project.
  • Your project will adhere to Seattle Park and Recreation's mission statement (to provide welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate, build community, and promote responsible stewardship of the land).
  • Your project will take place in an eligible City of Seattle park between May 1 and Nov. 30, 2025.
  • Events taking place in Downtown or City Center Parks or at Playfields and green spaces immediately adjacent to community centers are not eligible for this funding. View list of ineligible parks.

You may submit only one (1) application per year to this program.

Funding

Funded awardees will receive AiP funding support (for events in 2025) to go towards: artist fees, marketing and promotional fees, project management and personnel costs, supplies, equipment rentals or other production-related costs, required permits, and no more than 10% for food-related costs. Additional expenses may be allowed upon advance approval by the grant project manager. There is no partial funding for this program, and it is dependent on budgetary approval for 2024. Funds from Arts in Parks cannot be combined with other City funding sources for the same project.

Applicants can apply for the following levels of funding:

  • $2,000
  • $4,000
  • $6,000
  • $8,000

This funding may not be used for:

  • Events not accessible and free to the public
  • Religious services
  • Events or presentations in which fundraising is the primary purpose
  • Gifts
  • Organizations' administrative costs not directly related to the project
  • Purchase of equipment or software
  • Food-related costs above the allowable 10% of the awarded amount

Information Sessions

Learn more about this grant and how to submit your best application. 

Information Session 1 (Virtual)
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
Virtual: Microsoft Teams
RSVP to 10/24

Information Session 2 (In-person)
Monday, Oct. 28 6:00-7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
In-person: Garfield Community Center
RSVP to 10/28

Draft Application Feedback Sessions

Share Arts in Parks draft application materials to be reviewed by City staff and get feedback on your materials before you submit your final application.

Draft Application Feedback Session 1 (Virtual)
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 12:00-1:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Virtual: Microsoft Teams
RSVP to 11/13

Draft Application Feedback Session 2 (In-person)
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In-person: Jefferson Community Center
RSVP to 11/16

Contact

For information and assistance with applying, draft application feedback, eligibility, or online technical support, contact Zach Frimmel, Grants Project Manager, at (206) 963-9226 or [email protected].

We have interpreters who can speak to you in your language, including American Sign Language (via video). Just call us and tell us what language you speak. Expect a short pause while we find an interpreter to join the call.