Current Calls and Funding
The Creative Advantage Community Arts Partner Roster (Rolling Deadline)
The Creative Advantage is a partnership between Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (OAC) and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) to increase student access to arts learning.
The Community Arts Partner Roster is a list of artists, teaching artists, and community arts and culture organizations approved to work in SPS and receive compensation through The Creative Advantage. The Roster is maintained by OAC as a resource for schools seeking partners to help them meet their arts education equity goals.
Community Arts Partners collaborate with schools to provide:
- Student Art Residencies
- Teacher Professional Development
You can apply to lead student arts residencies, teacher professional development or both.
The Roster is open to teaching artists, community arts organizations, and cultural institutions serving students, teachers, and schools in Seattle with three or more years of teaching experience. You must be over the age of 18.
The Creative Advantage works in collaboration with SPS Native Education Department. If you are a tribal elder who wants to bring your artistry and experience to The Creative Advantage, you do not need to complete this application. Please contact Tina LaPadula.
If you are a non-tribal elder culture bearer who is thinking about applying to The Creative Advantage Partner Roster, please contact Tina LaPadula to discuss if this application is required.
Guidelines
Please read the full guidelines for this call.
Apply online through Submittable.
If you have trouble, check Submittable’s FAQ which offers step-by-step guides. For further assistance with the Submittable online application, please contact Submittable tech support.
If you don’t have computer or internet access, or have any other barriers in applying, contact Tina LaPadula.
Due Dates
The application opens Nov. 2, 2026, and will stay open through Sept. 30, 2027.
Applications will be vetted and approved by The Creative Advantage Roster Advisors through a panel process three times annually in March, June, and October 2027.
- Applications submitted between 11/2/2026 and 2/28/2027, 5 PM Pacific will be reviewed during the March review cycle.
- Applications submitted between 3/1/2027 and 5/31/2027, by 5 PM Pacific will be reviewed during the June review cycle.
- Applications submitted between 6/1/2027 and 9/30/27, by 5 PM Pacific will be reviewed during the October review cycle.
Please allow ample time to complete your application. Applications submitted after the 5 PM Pacific deadline will be reviewed in the next cycle.
Learn more about the Roster and how to submit your best application.
Sign up to attend The Creative Advantage Office Hours every other Thursday, 3-4 PM.
Schedule a 1:1 mentoring session for help completing the application or to talk through the basics of a class outline or learning plan. Contact Tina LaPadula.
For information and assistance with the application, eligibility or online technical support, contact Tina LaPadula, The Creative Advantage Project Manager, at 206-518-4205 or Tina.LaPadula@seattle.gov
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.
SmART Ventures Grant (Rolling Due Date)
Black Arts Love, photo by Jenny Crooks
SmART Ventures is flexible, inclusive, simple, and encourages innovation by individuals, organizations, and communities that may not qualify for other funding programs. It provides support ranging from $500 to $1,500, proving that small investments can have big impacts.
Eligibility
- Individuals or groups of people – including youth and older adults – seeking support for a unique project, opportunity, or event involving arts and culture who are not currently funded by us.
- Organizations – arts and culture and others – do not have to have 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
You are not eligible if:
- You are a practicing artists currently funded by us and/or you've received our CityArtist grant within the past four years.
Due Date
This grant is open year-round and accepts applications every month. The application is due at 5 PM on the last Friday of the month. You will hear of our funding decisions during the third week of the following month.
Application
To apply, you must attend an information session first. Search our web calendar for a date/time and register for one that works for you.
Information Sessions and Draft Application Review
Come learn more about this grant and how to submit your best application.
Virtual Information Sessions
After reviewing the SmART Ventures guidelines, attend a group session to learn how to submit your best application.
Sessions are available the first and third Thursday of each month (excluding City Holidays), 11:30 AM-12:15 PM Pacific.
Virtual Draft Application Review Sessions
You must attend a smART Ventures info session first.
Attend this group session and bring 2-3 questions you may have regarding your application to share.
Sessions are available the first and third Thursdays of each month (excluding City Holidays), 12:30-1:15 PM Pacific.
RSVP for a session on our calendar.
Contact
For questions about the program or for help with the online application, please email the Project Manager at SmARTVentures@seattle.gov.
We can speak to you in your language, including American Sign Language (via video). Just call us at 206-684-7171 and tell us what language you speak. Expect a short pause while we find an interpreter to join the call.
Sign up for updates to hear about future calls and grants, or visit our Other Opportunities page to view artist calls and job openings from other organizations.