In partnership with
HELLO ART PEOPLE!
Welcome back to another issue of the Open Studio Newsletter. We are now publishing two issues per month:
STEP OUT: As in, explore the wider world out there through events, opportunities, and advice for seeking funds
SINK IN: As in, grab your comfort object and soak in our artist features and listings
In today’s issue, we are sinking in, featuring results and reflections from our teaching artist pay survey, a new community contributor, a trip over the mountains, and a different kind of exciting announcement about…PODCASTS!
But before we get into it, I have a few things to share about our sponsors:
Almost every day right now, Hammond Ashley has come up in conversation! Largely driving it is the fact that I have a number of music students graduating 5th grade and thinking about joining orchestra next year. This shop is your go-to place with questions about violins, violas, cellos, and basses. It’s also a great place for people who love being around instruments, you know who you are.
Our other new sponsor, Fresco Mental Health, wins the award for most clicks in the last newsletter! Art therapy is certainly something worth looking into to support your long term mental health, and this is a great resource right here in Issaquah. Do it!
Special Announcement: The Open Studio Interview is now a free podcast!
Since February, when we started releasing recording audio interviews, I made a few discoveries:
I love interviewing people
I am basically making a podcast, but have not been calling it one.
The podcasts I listen to are all free.
I asked you to pay to listen to my interviews.
This was not a great decision, because very few people are listening to these amazing conversations
It is time to pivot!
And so, voila! From now on, The Open Studio Interview is out for everyone to enjoy, on whatever podcast platform you like to use. Go look it up - it’s there! (It’s also posted on our website - scroll down for details.)
That being said, if you like what you are reading in the Open Studio Newsletter, please consider joining as a paid subscriber. Right now that gets you discounts at Happy Time music and art classes, but as we build our work, we hope to bring in other arts education discounts here from other community spaces. If you’d like to see more podcasts, more artist profiles and features, more listings and opportunities, show us a little love!
General FAQ:
Can I send in my arts event? Yes, always!
Can I suggest a feature? Sure! What’s interesting to you?
Can I send in a question for the arts fundraising advice column? Yes, please do!
Are you seeking advertisers? Yes! Full info for individuals and organizations here.
What counts as art? Self expression in any medium.
Please send all inquiries and feedback to [email protected]
PODCAST EPISODE #4: LARKWING
Andrew and Bee of the local band Larkwing
Here’s a 2 minute preview of the conversation:
Check out the full conversation here, or search it up on your preferred podcast app, such as Apple Music or Spotify.
All episodes produced in 2026 can now be found on your preferred podcast app or on our website:
Feb 2026: Anna Sullivan, Writer at Pidge Post
Apr 2026: Sarah Miller, Creator of Show Your Art
May 2026: Larkwing, Local Acoustic Duo
TEACHING ARTIST ECONOMICS
So You Wanna Teach Art
by Ali Marcus
One thing I always knew about running a music and art studio is that I would prioritize the expertise of the artist. My career as a performer has included so many instances of low-paying gigs, insulting (and often wildly gendered) offers of compensation via “exposure,” and derelict working conditions, I am hopelessly, viscerally committed to providing an alternate path for people working in the arts.
With full transparency and an openness to experimentation, I would treat artists and teaching artists with respect. I would pay them what they deserve for their expertise.
In the past five years, this has often worked out well. I feel a lot of pride for the amount of money Happy Time has paid out to artists and teaching artists. But there are plenty of times that their pay has been too low - too many factors to list here (all the regular suspects). I know now that I am not immune to economic realities or cultural expectations about the role of art in our lives.
I also discovered, anecdotally, about how wide the range for teaching artist pay really is in our local area. To get a broader view, we distributed a survey to gather information about teaching artist pay. Below I will share some reflections on what we learned, including some reflection about how we would follow up if we could continue the conversation.
No one who answered the survey is making full time pay as a teaching artist. This may be by design - respondents also talk about enjoying the flexibility of the work, refer to one or several other jobs, and highlight the feeling of shared values as key benefits. Annual incomes noted ranged from “none right now” to $65,000, with most answers between $7,000-$20,000.
Reflection: It would be interesting to investigate more specifically with people who self-identify as successfully making a living wage as a teaching artist, and look at how it fits into their household income and annual needs. Is the job of teaching artist largely only open to those with other sources of wealth?
Some folks are paid two rates: a teaching rate and a rate for non-teaching time. Respondents broadly praised employers who offer to cover time outside of class, for preparations, travel, or classroom setup and breakdown. Some noted the existence of a separate (presumably lower) rate for this work.
Reflection: A person’s value in the workplace is their value in the workplace. When you hire them, you hire the whole package - their expertise, their communication style, their professionalism, their special sauce. As contract labor, money they earn on your dime is money they aren’t earning on another job. Why is it acceptable to have a lower rate for the time spent outside of the classroom?
Payment practices are totally bonkers. Here’s a recent example: the same teacher teaching the same four-hour class receives $144 at venue A, $300 at venue B, and $700 and venue C. All three venues are reputable institutions with good intentions, but very different management styles and funding structures. One theory, based on the data, is that city-owned resources offer more equitable pay than standalone nonprofits and businesses, which are subject to different kinds of economic pressures. Another theory is simply a difference in leadership style and intentions. These institutions are all small (none of them are higher ed) - organizational culture and the leader’s vision has a huge impact.
Reflection: Would more pay transparency make this process better for teaching artists, students, or venues? What could that look like?
37% of respondents work without a contractual agreement. In yet another example of how teaching art is treated as an unserious profession, this reveals a systematic devaluing of the work and the arts in general. You would never see a tech business bring on a contractor without basic paperwork.
Reflection: What resources can be made available to teaching artists that ensure a contractual relationship?
The product cycle of an art class is very long. It takes many weeks to plan and confirm a class with an employer, then many weeks to allow time for enrollment, and then you finally get to teach a class. Iteration is necessary to improve the product, but you may only get to try a class three or four times in one year at any particular venue. Even at $700 per class, you’re only earning $2,800 annually with that particular product.
Reflection: The only way to iterate faster is to offer more classes, which requires a big enough market to do so. The market for art classes is hyperlocalized and mercurial. Sometimes newer venues capitalize on novelty, and sometimes more established venues leverage their reputations. Both kinds of venues suffer with internal and external pressures around the economy and reputation. What kind of a business model would allow for faster iteration while also accomplishing educational goals?
This survey was an interesting first step into discovering more about the opportunities for teaching artists in King County. It clearly raises more questions than answers. More nuanced investigation could yield a lot of more specific, interesting data points.
Over here at Happy Time, we will continue to focus on building more sustainable pathways for teaching artists, continue to experiment and improve based on iteration, and continue to look for ways to report out on what we learn!
Teaching Artist Comments
I want to specifically thank each person who took the time to fill out the teaching artist pay survey. As an anonymous experience, I can only share some of their insights without attribution. It will give you a sense of what drives the teaching artist, and how much heart they have to contribute to students everywhere:
“It's absolutely worth it! Teaching painting allows me to put my practices into words, which helps to reinforce good habits and growth in my own work. I love seeing progress that my students make and the confidence and excitement they have to keep growing. Another benefit is the camaraderie and care that blossoms between students.”
“I feel that given the dynamics of an art non-profit, I am as fairly compensated as I can be.”
“ALWAYS read and ask questions before signing anything. If you’re unsure, don’t sign.”
“It’s not sustainable work unless you are incredibly proactive, and even then there is a lot of uncertainty. There are no medical benefits, we pay our taxes out of pocket, and some orgs even want ownership of your curriculum on the bases of an hourly teaching rate. You have to advocate for yourself at every turn.”
“I LOVE when orgs treat me like my work is important. When an organization cares to thank me in earnest, takes my concerns seriously, and recognizes that I’m a person doing the job (however much I love it) for money—those folks are my favorite. It’s orgs like this that I have the longest and best standing relationships with.”
“It has to be a win-win-win for students, venues, and teaching artists.”
“I wish the coordinator would reach out to me first and more regularly- I don't mind occasionally being the one reaching out with classes in mind, but it definitely isn't encouraging when it feels one sided.”
“I just love what I do, so I’m always finding ways to bring art into our community, and get children creating!”
“Even if you don’t have a lot of money, treating an artist with respect, dignity, and personhood makes such a huge difference. What an org may lack in funding and resources, they can make up in kindness and clearly communicated boundaries. Then artists can truly know whether the work is worth their time and effort.”
COMMUNITY FEATURE
Eyewitness to Greatness
by Lindsey Pinkston
In celebration of culture, creativity and community, Highlands Council is partnering with the City of Issaquah and Onyx Fine Arts Collective to host an art exhibition at Blakely Hall in June. The gallery highlights the work of Pacific Northwest artists of African descent.
The “Eyewitness to Greatness” gallery showcase is presented in honor of Juneteenth, the historic holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
“We the Peoples,” by Robert Horton
LOCAL SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT
ARTIST LISTINGS
Please visit our website to learn about how to be listed here!
WORTH A TRIP: LEAVENWORTH
Mountain passes are a thing to contend with. When are they open? When is the worst traffic? Where are the best roadside stops?
We are lucky to have them, but sometimes they feel like a bigger barrier than they are. Just over the pass (or two passes, depending on your route) is the beautifully singular mountain town of Leavenworth, known for its Bavarian charm, bratwurst, and holiday festivities around Oktoberfest and Christmas.
Touristy and also legitimately enjoyable, Leavenworth is rich with natural beauty, whether you’re a down and dirty backpacker, a tent camper, a day hiker, or a “view from the spa” type. Many people will find themselves there for a day or an overnight this summer - hopefully you if you’re lucky! - so we have a few arts & culture tips to share.
Coming up this weekend on May 31, the Marlin Handbell Ringers have a daytime performance; intriguingly, there is no location listed, but it might be worth tracking down. English handbells are a unique type of ensemble, somewhat mesmerizing to watch and listen to. Remember the Hershey’s Kisses commercial?
On June 2, head over to the Bushel & Bee for Lit Mic, billed as North Central WA’s “loudest, rowdiest, and most supportive literary open mic.”
The Icicle Creek Center for the Arts is a main attraction for a lot of types of experiences. On June 4, the acoustic duo Tekla Waterfield and Jeff Fielder are performing - a sure bet for a great show! Joining them is Mark Pickerel, who you might know as the guy from the Screaming Trees, though he’s a longtime solo act in this millenium.
Finally, we would be remiss to leave out the summer classic - Leavenworth Summer Theater’s production of “The Sound of Music,” running all season. It’s just too good to pass up. Where else in America can you find yourself in the quasi-Alps in a quasi-Bavarian setting? Transported in time to 1930’s Austria, what insight might we gain about current events, and the role of art in people’s lives?
CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S “STEP OUT”!
Starting in May 2026, the Open Studio Newsletter divided into two sections: STEP OUT and SINK IN. You’ll now be hearing from us twice a month: once with a long list of ways to get out in the community, and again with some features and links to explore all by yourself with a warm cup of tea.
LOCAL SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT
House of Layo is more than a salon, it’s a whole vibe. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with warm, genuine hospitality that makes you feel instantly at home. We offer full-service hair care alongside spa treatments and an infrared sauna, creating a space where beauty and wellness come together seamlessly through our holistic approach.
Whether you’re here for a fresh cut, hair extensions, or a restorative facial, every detail is designed with your well-being in mind.
Beyond beauty, our walls double as a rotating gallery, showcasing local artists and keeping the space inspiring, creative, and ever-evolving.
At House of Layo, you don’t just leave looking amazing—you leave feeling renewed and connected.
The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Are you All In?
Why go all in? For less than the cost of a matcha latte, you can support the local arts economy and help to nurture arts journalism and community building. At $6/month (or $5/month if you go All In for a full year), we think this is a bargain. If it's a fit for you, you'll know it.
Go All In - Become a Paid Subscriber Today!You will find:
- 20% discount off music and art classes at Happy Time Studio