Office of Arts & Culture Seattle

Directions Website

Office of Arts & Culture Seattle We activate and sustain Seattle through arts and culture. View the City’s policies at www.seattle.gov/digital.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) manages the city's public art program, cultural partnerships grant programs, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, and The Creative Advantage initiative in the effort to foster a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences. In alignment with the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative, we work to eliminate institutional racism in our programs, policies and practices. ARTS is supported by the 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council.

11/10/2026

We are excited to announce that we are ready to celebrate Family, by Qwalsius Shaun Peterson, of the Puyallup Tribe. Last summer we installed the three carved sculptures on the Park Promenade across from Pier 58 on Seattle’s waterfront and the artist recently completed some additions to the sculptures’ bases.

Please join us at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 14 at the artwork for a dedication followed by an opportunity to meet artist Qwalsius Shaun Peterson.
 
To learn more about the inspiration for Family, and to see behind the scenes footage of the artwork being created and installed, check out our video about Shaun Peterson’s artwork, link in bio.

This artwork is one of nine permanent art commissions included in Waterfront Seattle’s art program. The artist team MTK Matriarchs will install the ninth and final artwork in 2027. Artworks are funded with 1% for Art funds and administered by the Office of Arts & Culture and the Office of the Waterfront and Civic projects.

Seattle students should have access to arts learning. Enter The Creative Advantage —our partnership with Seattle Public ...
11/03/2026

Seattle students should have access to arts learning. Enter The Creative Advantage —our partnership with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) to increase student access to arts learning which we do through our Community Arts Partner Roster. This is a list of artists, teaching artists, and community arts and culture organizations approved to work in SPS that is paid by us. The roster is always open on a rolling deadline so if you want to join, apply!

Our current calls, grants for artists, and funding opportunities.

Who makes our worlds possible? At its heart, "Visions of Worldbuilding" centers the ways of knowing of Black and Brown w...
10/29/2026

Who makes our worlds possible? At its heart, "Visions of Worldbuilding" centers the ways of knowing of Black and Brown women and femmes, exploring mothering as both a metaphor and a method—a liberatory practice of care, protection, resistance, remembrance, and imagining otherwise. See it at the opening reception on Nov. 5, 6-8 PM hosted by PORTALS. The opening night will bring together live music, movement, and tea in celebration of the artists and their visions of legacy, transformation, and possibility.

See event details here: https://www.seattle.gov/arts/experience/events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D194914083

Hear from artists Cristina Martinez  and Stevie Shao on their colorful new public artwork “Under the Same Sky” that’s li...
10/27/2026

Hear from artists Cristina Martinez and Stevie Shao on their colorful new public artwork “Under the Same Sky” that’s lining the walkway next to the temporary fencing around the Memorial Stadium construction. They’re chatting inspo, challenges, and collaborating on the blog.
You can see this work and all of the other works across Seattle Center campus with the artists themselves at the free guided Sculpture Walk this Thursday, Oct. 29 at 10:30 AM:

https://artbeat.seattle.gov/2026/10/26/artist-highlight-under-the-same-sky-by-stevie-shao-and-cristina-martinez

Get ready for a November stacked with free arts and culture events! From First Thursday Art Walk festivities to a grief ...
10/22/2026

Get ready for a November stacked with free arts and culture events! From First Thursday Art Walk festivities to a grief workshop—this November is packed with free events at ARTS at King Street Station. Head to our blog to learn more and RSVP!

Join us this November for the opening of new exhibition Visions of Worldbuilding and more!

10/16/2026

Hammering man's annual checkup, Public Art Boot Camp updates, new art, and more! See what's new in public art in the fall quarterly on our blog.

Read about what's new in public art, conservation updates, and more in this quarter's edition of the public art quarterly!

Read up on all of the new artworks on Symphony Block before seeing them in-person at Benaroya Hall's free Open house thi...
10/15/2026

Read up on all of the new artworks on Symphony Block before seeing them in-person at Benaroya Hall's free Open house this Sunday, Oct. 18! The lineup of events includes exhibitions by artists that made work for the Symphony Block, free performances, and more. RSVP for the event on the Benaroya Hall site: https://benaroyahall.org/pdps/concertstickets/calendar/2026-2027/27-benaroya-hall-open-house/

This year, new and restored artworks give everyone on the block something inspiring, thought-provoking, or joyful to encounter on Symphony Block. Learn how the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (OAC) made it a more vibrant, creative place.

“Being able to tell authentic stories … and bring people together, and even though [Buwaya Baby is] so specific, there’s...
10/14/2026

“Being able to tell authentic stories … and bring people together, and even though [Buwaya Baby is] so specific, there’s enough room for people to want to come together and be curious.” - Heidi Grace Acuña

October is Filipino American History Month—celebrate with a visit to Heidi Grace Acuña's “Buwaya Baby!” Read more about the exhibition in The Seattle University Spectator and see it on view at ARTS at King Street Station through Nov 7.

Dancers crawl on the floor, imitating crocodiles in an impressive feat of athleticism, moving their bodies around pedestals holding clay statues of crocodiles. A deep rhythmic music pumps into the anticipatory crowd, and CRT televisions display static in corners of the room. Bodies fill the space—...

Are you passionate about Seattle’s creative community? Apply to Join the Seattle Arts Commission (SAC)! The SAC advises ...
10/07/2026

Are you passionate about Seattle’s creative community? Apply to Join the Seattle Arts Commission (SAC)! The SAC advises the Mayor and City Council on arts and cultural policy, advocates for the arts, and helps shape the future of Seattle’s creative landscape.

Applicants must live or work in Seattle and bring experience in the creative sector. A resume and cover letter are required. Apply on the Boards & Commissions website by Mon. Nov. 2: https://seattle.granicus.com/boards/forms/34/apply

Address

303 S. Jackson Street, Top Floor
Seattle, WA
98104

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Office of Arts & Culture Seattle posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share