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HELLO ART PEOPLE!
Welcome back to another issue of the Open Studio Newsletter. As a reminder, we are now publishing two issues per month:
STEP OUT: Explore the wider world out there through events, opportunities, and advice for seeking funds
SINK IN: Grab your comfort object and soak in our artist features and listings (here’s the most recent edition)
In today’s issue, we are stepping out, and boy is there a lot to look forward to in the summer. So much so that you might find it a bit overwhelming…our curated listings here may help you with some exploration and decisions.
Now, get out there and show up for artists!
But before we do, let’s celebrate our local art-loving and art-making sponsors:
Did any of you catch the Larkwing interview on the podcast last month? In one of those classic small-town coincidences, Andrew of the amazing folk band Larkwing actually works at Hammond Ashley, a special place in Issaquah for all things in the violin family. I also recently watched Gretchen Yanover’s TEDx Talk (another amazing local musical artist) where she talks about getting inspired to try the electric cello - and her signature looping compositions - because of one she found at Hammond Ashley! It’s a great place. Go there.
And when is the last time you really felt you could access a core feeling? What were you doing in that moment? Sometimes art is the way to get there. If that sounds like something that works in your world, check out Fresco Mental Health, a local art therapy practice run by Tina V. Hays, an experienced, licensed mental health counselor and stunning visual artist in her own right.
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]
ATTEND A LOCAL EVENT
6/13 - Creative Summit: “Art in Education,” presented by Art Commons - Free workshops in clay and curriculum development, plus a great community hang, at Issaquah Farmer’s Market
6/13 - Art Party at Happy Time Studio - Join us in Issaquah to enjoy Jes Lilly’s show, “Intimate Inheritances,” and participate in a special printmaking showcase with Sahily Perez McMillan
6/13 - Mary Gauthier - Vashon Center for the Arts
6/14 - Free Acrylic Painting Workshop - Taught by artist Carlos Martinez, this is part of Shunpike’s summer ACES programming, in South Seattle
6/18 - Eyewitness to Greatness - Art exhibit and Juneteenth celebration with the Onyx Fine Arts Collective, featuring live music and plenty of food for snacking or purchase. Bring the whole family!
6/18 & 6/25 - Free Story Mask Making Workshop - Bring a partner, anyone ages 10 and over, and get into telling your unique story with the wonderful folks at the Postmark Center for the Arts in Auburn
6/20 - Art Off the Rails - Trains and Art in the Snoqualmie Valley
6/27 - Montlake Garden & Art Tour - Seattle
7/1 - Issaquah Open Mic - Issaquah Train Depot
7/2 - Mosaic Open Mic - Mercer Island
7/23-7/25 - Timber! Outdoor Music Festival - A few real gems in there, including Shelby Natasha, Jon Pontrello of the Moondoggies (one of the most underrated bands I’ve seen in the Seattle scene these past few decades), and something that hits me right in the heart, a Protest Sing Along. It’s not cheap, but it’s a singular event, and it’s in Tolt-Macdonald Park in Carnation, and there are add on art classes, and you can camp there, or not!
7/25 - Gretchen Yanover - Electric Cello concert at the Bainbridge Museum of Art with artist Anastasia Rÿser
7/27 - Literary Nights - Issaquah Train Depot
8/5-8/10 - Belltown Mural Festival - Check out a full week’s worth of mural celebrations! There’s nothing like collaborative, large-scale art making at the peak of summer season in downtown Seattle.
8/13-8/16 - Aire Craft Festival - You might as well put this on the calendar now. Stay tuned for more info on this unforgettable celebration of free flight, street arts, and outdoor culture in the heart of the Issaquah Alps. Costumes, paragliders, costumed paragliders, circus and street performers, a veritable arts explosion on the streets and in the sky…Issaquah like you’ve never seen it before.
MAKE MORE ART!
No Deadline - Nonprofit Hours @ Happy Time Studio - Are you looking for help with grants, or other fundraising advice? Is your board or leadership in transition? Do you need to clarify your mission, or evaluate your impact? Starting a new organization? Come by the studio and talk it out with an expert at no cost.
Art Commons Teaching Artist Residency - Seeking three (paid) teaching artists to embed in Issaquah elementary schools in the 26/27 school year! (Due 6/20)
Washington Youth Arts Leadership (WAYAL) Program - For youth ages 16-19, this is a unique, statewide opportunity to be part of a year-long cohort that builds arts leadership and career skills and opportunity in the arts. It comes with a stipend. (Nominations due 6/25, Applications due 7/9)
Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab (TAT Lab) - For arts and culture educators in any discipline, this is an 8-month long cohort designed to build skills in instructional design and create inclusive, culturally responsive spaces for learning. This program has a $500 tuition fee, but is totally unique in the state and there are a few tuition-free spots availabel for qualifying applicants. (Due 7/28)
THERE ARE A LOT OF PUBLIC GRANTS OUT THERE
Arts WA - State funding for the arts
Artist Trust - Statewide funding for individual artists
4Culture - King County funding for the arts
City Funding - if you live or make art within a city boundary, there is likely a local arts commission with a grant process. Google it!
WANT TO SHOW YOUR ART?
Show Your Art is a unique and amazing resource for emerging artists. You won’t regret taking the time to explore their offerings, which now includes 200 artist-friendly venues in the second edition and also a brand new interactive map!
LOCAL SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT
ASK A GRANT EXPERT
Dear Grant Expert,
What is a fiscal sponsor, and do I need one?
-Your Love Won’t Pay My Bills
A fiscal sponsor is an organization with federal 501(c)(3) status that accepts cahritable donations on behalf of your project or organization, and then distributes it to you, often after having taken a small percentage of the funds as an administrative fee. This format allows projects and organizations without 501(c)(3) status to accept charitable donations from individuals and grantmaking entities.
For example, if you are choreographing and producing a dance event in your community, and you want to raise funds to pay your dancers, rental fees, costume costs, and yourself (yes!), you might consider using Kickstarter or another crowdfunding platform. If people donate to your crowdfunding effort, they cannot deduct those donations from their federal tax returns. However, if you raise funds through a fiscal sponsor, they would. This could increase your supporters’ motivation to donate and perhaps at larger amounts.
There are other big benefits to working with a fiscal sponsor, such as administrative support on financial management, technical support or connection to community via a shared mission, and credibility with donors (individual and institutional) via your association with a known entity in the community.
One of the biggest benefits of fiscal sponsorship, by far, is that it makes your project eligible for many more grants than are typically available for individuals or for-profit companies. At 4Culture alone (the county’s biggest and best resource for arts funding), the difference is huge.
Without fiscal sponsorship, you are eligible for a one-time Open Grant of up to $2,500. With fiscal sponsorship, you become eligible for biennial Project Grants, which can be up to $15,000, various types of capital and equipment funding for facilities, and multi-year, six-figure funding through Doors Open programs like Launch, Cultural Support Services, Curiosity Pass, and Sustained Support.
Check out this resource at 4Culture that lists various places to look and learn more about fiscal sponsorship.
I want to be clear - this is a long-ish game; you need to be thinking at least 18 months out if you want to pursue a fiscal sponsor relationship, become eligible for grants, and then apply for grants and wait to see the outcome. It’s a shorter lead time for fundraising through individuals, and a strong project or organization is usually looking at both of these options and figuring out where to lean more heavily.
So, do you need a fiscal sponsor? You should look into it if:
You have a multi-year timeline and ambitions for the future;
You want to pull together a community-driven group of people to do this with you, together;
You have nearby donors and a cultivated community who may be looking to support your work; or
You think you might, one day, want to know if this thing (whatever it is you’re working on) could become an independent nonprofit
Getting creative is something you’re good at, right? Think of this as a creative experiment and see what happens. You’ll either like the sound of that, or you won’t.
In Solidarity,
Ali
Have a question about fundraising? Submit it here.
Want to see other recent bits of advice?
What does “in-kind” mean and how do I calculate it? (Issue #47)
How do I know if I need to hire a grantwriter? When is it worth the investment? (Issue #45)
What time of year is “grant season”? (Issue #44)
Should we be relying on one major supporter and if not, how do we expand our fundraising? (Issue #43)
How does an artist start to raise money, havign never done it before? (Issue #42)
Am I allowed to pay myself with grant money? If so, how do I calculate the value of my time? (Issue #41)
LOOKING FOR MORE EVENT CALENDARS?
BelRed Arts District - The ONLY arts-focused calendar for the Eastside! Take a look and add your events!
Visit Issaquah - Issaquah’s most comprehensive collection of goings-ons, arts and otherwise.
King County Libraries - So many types of free arts events all around the county! Our libraries are amazing.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
Art Commons - Seeking volunteers to help greet and steward the public at regular, year-round arts events. If you love to talk with people about art and community, please reach out via the website.
Is your organization looking for volunteers and/or new board members? To post here, just email [email protected].
DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING?
Was this a juicy one?
Did you learn something new, or get inspired?
If so, please consider joining as a paid subscriber. Right now, that gets you 20% 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 listings, advice columns, podcasts, written features, and experimentation in arts media, show us a little love for $5 or $6 per month!
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.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
