Welcome to Open Calls Seattle, a resource for creatives of all types to find opportunities that resonate with them and enter with confidence.

• About OCS
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Current Open Calls

Directories

• Art Walks
• Galleries / Studios
• Local Services
• Other Sites to visit

Get Set Up for Success

• Free Downloads
• Pro-Tips and advice
• Point of Sale systems

I do this completely voluntary. If you'd like to support my efforts in any way, here are a few ways you can

• Paypal Donation
• Buy me a coffee?
• Check out my artwork

How it started

About me

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Other Resource Sites

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Point of Sale systems

Below is a preview of what some of those readers can look like.

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Free Downloads

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Protips

Always get a Gallery Commission Form / Art Release Form

If you are hanging your work at a gallery, or a business (coffee shop, restaurant, etc) it's important to fill out (digitally or physically) a gallery commissions form. These forms protect both parties from any confusion upon sales. Never show your work at a gallery or anywhere that doesn't require one! They can screw you over real bad and you would have no proof of what they owe you.

How to know if a market is 'right' for you

When it comes to choosing a market, I know it's easy to look at the vendor fees and decide, but for me, it's a lot deeper than that. I also consider things like:
How long is the event? $40 for a 3-hour event, as opposed to $40 for one that may last 5 hours, is something to consider. Not just that, but the times themselves. Is the 3-hour one on a Friday night as opposed to a Sunday morning? If you know your audience isn't going to be awake in the mornings or is less likely to be walking around in the evenings, then choose an event that works for you and your customers.
Does the coordinator provide anything? This can be from tangible things like having tables (canopies, etc) already set up and included in the vending fee, to digital things like advertising the event or you and your work specifically. I will sometimes go for a more expensive market if it includes extra things I'd otherwise have to figure out how to transport.
The cost of getting you, all of your supplies, and inventory there.
Your hourly wage. You gotta be the one standing there making your sales, talking that retail game, handling customer service, and answering random questions that only you know the answers to. It's time away from creating, or maybe the event is happening on your "day off". These are things to think about when determining if a market was successful and if there was profit.

Tips on how to find opportunities outside of this website

Follow the accounts followed by the OpenCallsSeattle Instagram account.
Follow Instagram hashtags such as #seattleartcall #callforartseattle #seattleartscene #seattleartwalk #pioneersquareartwalk (replace pioneersquare with your preferred neighborhood) #firstthursdayartwalk (replace day with your preferred neighborhood) #seattleartist #seattleartgalleryopencall #seattleblockparty #slublockparty (replace slu with your preferred neighborhood)
Check out resource sites like Seattle Artists, Seattle Office of Arts & CultureUse algorithms!
Seriously. I knew the way advertising works on many social media sites and with Google has to do with the searches you make, as well as the things you like and share. So, the next time you're on a search engine that you know sells your data (ha), then search terms like these: Seattle Art Walks, Seattle Open Calls, PNW Open Calls, PNW art opportunities, and grants for artists in Seattle.

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Galleries and studios

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Local Services

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Block Parties

Art Walks

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Submissions

If you're a space owner, event organizer, deal with grants, or any other type of opportunity, and I've forgotten you, please reach out below.
If you're anyone with questions, comments, concerns, or general suggestions please continue below :)

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Thank you

Open Calls Seattle is a one-person project, so things do get overlooked.So thank you for sending in your thoughts, event, business, or any other resource you might have just sent my way.

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