call for artists

application portal is closed // proposals were due may 15, 2026 // notification of acceptance by july 10, 2026

Artists of all disciplines are invited to propose live performances, temporary projects, and creative activations to populate a 20-block route from Westlake Park to Occidental Square that includes urban parks, plazas, sidewalks, and empty storefronts.

info session » virtual

route walk » drop-in

  • took place Thursday, April 30

curators

Alice Gosti — performance

Philippe Hyojung Kim - visual art

Meli Darby - music

[view team bios]

inspiration…

  • A roaming performance/activation moves along sidewalks, interacting directly with the urban environment and the public.

    What makes roaming performances/activations distinctive is their mobility and opportunity for spontaneity. The performer adapts in real time, reacting to the crowd, the setting, and unexpected moments.

    Roaming performances/activations can span the entire 20-block route or be programmed for a shorter span of blocks.

    Roaming performances/activations are central to the event's creative identity.

    Route walk with event producers is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at 1 pm.

  • Interactive/participatory performances and art-making experiences invite the audience to actively shape what happens.

    In these performances/activations, the line between “artist” and “audience” is intentionally blurred and the public becomes creator or part of the art.

    Examples include, but are not limited to:

    • Immersive theatre, where audience members interact with performers or explore environments

    • Community art projects, like collaborative paintings, weaving or temporary art installations

    • Pop-up art stations where people create something to take home with them

    • Performances that invite crowd participation (singing, dancing, responding)

    What makes these performances/activations powerful is the sense of ownership and connection the public has as a co-creator of the experience.

  • Discrete interventions are subtle, often unexpected artistic actions or temporary installations placed within urban environments that are designed to be discovered rather than announced.

    Hiding art in plain sight might look like:

    • A tiny sculpture tucked into a sidewalk crack

    • A performance that blends into typical urban activities

    • An altered object in a public space that shifts how you see it

    The goal isn’t spectacle, it’s interruption through subtlety. These are the “easter eggs” of the event that nudge people to notice their surroundings differently or reconsider something familiar.

  • Street poles, including light posts, road signs, and utility poles, are highly visible elements along sidewalks and can become a compelling canvas for your work.

    By activating these poles with lightweight, temporary interventions, you can turn urban infrastructure into an experience that guides the public along the route.

  • Window vinyl activations refer to visual artwork printed on vinyl and applied directly to the exterior window of a ground-level storefront.

    This is a great opportunity for visual artists whose practice typically takes the form of painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, or digital art.

    Submission of existing artwork for reproduction as window vinyl to be installed at one or more storefront locations along the route will turn empty windows into points of interest.

  • New this year, we’ll have designated busking locations for musicians marked with sidewalk chalk scattered throughout the route. When applying, choose “Sidwalk Stationary” as your top choice location preference.

    Busking locations will not have access to power and cannot use gas-powered generators.

faq

  • Notification of acceptance/decline will take place by July 10, 2025.

  • The proposal deadline for this year’s event was May 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

  • Yes, fee amounts will vary based on proposal type and duration. Fees will typically be in the range of $300-$1,000 per performance or art activation, with no fees exceeding $2,500. To receive compensation, you must be eligible to work in the United States.

  • No, compensation is limited to performance and exhibition fees.

  • Artists 18 years and older of all disciplines. Categories within the Artists Call form include:

    • Performance (performance art, dance, circus, theatre, etc.)

    • Music

    • Visual Art

    • Other (open field)

    Priority will be given to artists who live/work within King County, WA.

  • Yes, there was a virtual info session on Monday, April 13.

    [watch the video]

  • Yes, artists of all disciplines were invited to join the route walk on Thursday, April 30, at 1 pm. We met at Westlake Park and walked the route to Occidental Square .

  • Yes, the application form includes a map showing the route and each hub location.

    Additionally, we have a draft map showing the timed zones of the route to give artists a sense of when each section of the route will be activated.

  • Yes, the application was created to support a wide range of disciplines and formats along the route.

    We encourage you to download the application worksheet before filling out the form.

  • Yes, this is encouraged.

For additional questions email info[a]walkdontrun-sea.org