Pop-Up and Perform: Seattle Artists Invited to Apply for Performance Grants

Calling all Seattle-area performers: the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture has opened its Artists at the Center grant for 2025, offering local artists a chance to bring their work to the lively heart of Seattle Center. Whether you’re emerging or established, this is an opportunity to perform in front of diverse, built-in audiences—from folks grabbing lunch at The Armory to fans headed to a Kraken game. Grants range from $2,000 to $6,000 and come with tech support to help artists put on a professional, memorable show.

The program, now in its fourth year, is a collaboration between the Office of Arts & Culture, Seattle Center, and the Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition—funded by a 10-year community benefit grant from Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken. Artists have until June 17 to apply, and multilingual resources and workshops are available to support applicants.

Past grantees call the experience “special,” “powerful,” and “career-boosting.” One even said, “Strangers donated toward my album just from hearing me play.” If you’re ready to surprise and delight Seattle Center crowds with your craft, this may be the stage you’ve been waiting for.

On the Stage

From island rituals to courtroom battles to jukebox fame, this week’s shows are all about lives that take the spotlight. Catch personal stories that sing, stir, and surprise.

Jersey Boys

Musical Theatre | Village Theatre
Now – May 25 | Tickets

They were just four guys from Jersey until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of.

View the Program

More Events

• The Pa’akai We Bring | Seattle Children’s Theatre | Now – June 1 | View the Program
  • Access Performance: June 1
• Always...Patsy Cline | Taproot Theatre Company | Now – June 14 | View the Program
• The Unfair Advantage | Pemberley Productions & Parrot Ox | Now – June 29

Next Line

Intiman Theatre gets ready for their upcoming season by announcing their first show of 2025/26. Plus, a free, virtual panel on accessibility in our communities takes place next week.

• Intiman Theatre has announced that The Little Foxes will open their 2025/26 season. Running October 15–November 2, this co-production from The Feast (formerly The Williams Project) puts a bold, up-close spin on Lillian Hellman’s classic tale of greed and manipulation. Directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell, the show features in-the-round seating—including cocktail tables for the 21+ crowd with themed drinks and table service. Part cocktail party, part cage match, this reimagined version promises a thrilling night of theatre you won’t want to miss.
• The Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium is hosting a free virtual panel on May 30 titled Sustaining Accessibility in Challenging Times. With the arts sector facing ongoing uncertainty, this timely conversation—moderated by Inspire Washington’s Manny Cawaling—brings together leaders to explore how we can continue advancing accessibility and allyship across our organizations and communities. Attendees will walk away with real-world strategies and fresh inspiration. ASL interpretation and captioning will be provided.