Participate

Applications for our Seattle Restored activation pathways are now closed. Be sure to join our mailing list to be notified when applications reopen. 

The information below offers an overview of our application and selection process as well as the items needed to help businesses and creative entrepreneurs prepare for future application cycles. 

ApPLICATION selection process

In partnership with Seattle Restored staff, a community advisory panel reviewed and scored applications. Grow America provided additional support to advise on applicants’ financial readiness and viability.

The community advisory panel consisted of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including commercial real estate brokers, past participants, economic development professionals, and others who bring valuable perspectives to the decision-making process.


Seattle Restored Application Evaluation Criteria:

Compelling: Is the proposal thorough and thoughtful? Does the applicant clearly communicate the project and provide proof of business experience or professional artist practice?

Impact:  Will the proposal provide a social and/or public benefit for the local community? 

Readiness: What is the proposal’s status and viability?

Equity: Is the business or artist practice Woman/ Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) owned, and/or how does the project serve women/BIPOC communities?

Experience: Does the proposal demonstrate that the business owner or creative entrepreneur has the necessary experience to implement their proposed project


Application Interviews:

For art residencies, pop-up shops, and long-term activations, high-scoring applicants were also interviewed to ask any outstanding questions and ascertain if the program was the right fit for the applicant. 

APPLICATION PATHWAYS

ART INSTALLATION

Exhibit and sell artwork via a QR code from a street-facing window. 
• Duration: 6 months
• $1,500 participation stipend
• General liability insurance coverage
• No-cost display lease
• Creative entrepreneur technical assistance

POP-UP SHOP

Test your pop-up concept in a pre-furnished storefront location.
• Duration: 2 months
• $2,000 participation stipend
• $500 tenant improvement funding
• General liability insurance coverage
• No-cost lease
• Entrepreneur technical assistance
 
There will be no opportunity for extensions or pursuing the space independently after participation; this is a short-term program.
Pop-up spaces will only be permitted for retail. Businesses will not be able to sell food or beverages unless they are shelf stable, grocery-style items.

ARTIST RESIDENCY

Work in a shared artist studio space at no cost for up to six months. This space will serve as a way for artists to display and sell work to the public. 
• Duration: 6 months
• $2,000 participation stipend
• $500 tenant improvement funding
• General liability insurance coverage
Creative entrepreneur technical assistance
 
This residency program is intended for visual artists or artists that do not require heavy machinery in order to practice their art form.
There may be multiple artists occupying a single space. Please see photos of previous residency and display space layout here and here.

LONG-TERM BUSINESS

Secure a long-term lease agreement for a storefront location with the support of Seattle Restored. 
• Duration: 3+ years
• Participant will be responsible for signing and upholding the lease
• Seattle Restored will provide approximately $24,000 of lease support over two years
• Seattle Restored will provide approximately $15,000 in tenant improvement funding
•Entrepreneur technical assistance
Click below to review information about the Seattle Restored application process.

APPLICATION DETAILS


Seattle Restored is a community-driven initiative that activates vacant storefronts across Seattle with retail shops, pop-ups, art installations, and art residencies. The program aims to benefit neighborhoods, small businesses, artists, and property owners by creating vibrant streetscapes and supporting local entrepreneurs, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
Applications are now closed.

Applications will reopen in winter 2024 pop-ups and art installations. 

Vendor, marketplace, and event opportunities will be open to the public and offered throughout the year. Please follow our newsletter to learn of these special opportunities. 
Applications are now closed.

In the spring of 2024 we offered four application pathways. While applicants could apply for multiple pathways, participants were only selected for one. 

You can use our Seattle Restored Pathway Flyer to understand which application pathway below may be the best fit for you.

ART INSTALLATION

Exhibit and sell artwork via a QR code from a street-facing window. 
Duration: 6 months
$1,500 participation stipend
• General liability insurance coverage
No-cost display lease
Free creative entrepreneur business support

 

POP-UP SHOP

Test your pop-up concept in a pre-furnished storefront.
Duration: 2 months
$2,000 participation stipend
$500 tenant improvement funding
• General liability insurance coverage
No-cost lease
• Technical entrepreneurial support
Pop-up spaces will only be permitted for retail. Businesses will not be able to sell food or beverages unless they are shelf stable, grocery-style items.
There will be no opportunity for extensions or pursuing the space independently after participation; this is a short-term program. 
 

ARTIST RESIDENCY

Work in a shared artist studio space at no cost for up to six months. 
Duration: 6 months
$2,000 participation stipend
$500 tenant improvement funding
• General liability insurance coverage
• Creative entrepreneurial support
This residency program is intended for visual artists or artists that do not require heavy machinery in order to practice their art form.
There may be multiple artists occupying a single space. 

 

LONG-TERM BUSINESS

Participant will be responsible for signing and upholding a lease agreement for their storefront location for at least three years.
Duration: 3+ years
Seattle Restored provides approximately $24,000 of lease support over two years
Seattle Restored provides approximately $15,000 in tenant improvement funding
• Technical entrepreneurial support

Participating artists and businesses can:
  • Find new audiences and customers across Seattle
  • Receive financial support and no-cost/supported lease funding
  • Contribute to efforts that revitalize commercial and community spaces
  • Be included in a citywide multi-media campaign, including digital, print, radio, and transit ads
  • Receive professional photography to document your Seattle Restored participation
  • Access to artist and entrepreneur business support and events
  • Be connected to other local artists and entrepreneurs
Prior to/throughout your activation, you will be required to
  • Hold a City of Seattle Business License  and Washington State Business License(This is required to apply for the program. Please see the “Required Applicant Documents” tab below for more information on how to obtain your license)
  • Attend monthly check-ins with Seattle Restored program managers
  • Complete a Seattle Restored participant contract
  • Complete pre and post participation surveys
  • Attend a program orientation session
  • Complete monthly sales reports
  • Provide W-9 form and invoices as needed  
  • Create and maintain a participant profile page on the Seattle Restored website
  • Have storefront or residency open for a minimum of 24hrs/week
  • Participate in art walks (windowfront install participants only)
  • Host a launch party  (pop-up participants only)
  • Sign an acknowledgment that continued non-compliance with program requirements may result in the immediate termination of your activation 
You are not eligible to apply for Seattle Restored if ANY of the following apply:
  • You have received over $20,000 in funding from the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development between the years of 2022 – 2024
  • You currently have more than one operating business location. This does not include pop-ups, markets, or production facilities. 
  • You must be 18 years or older to apply and participate in Seattle Restored

As a Seattle Restored Participant, you will 
  • Have your name and business associated with the Seattle Restored Program, Seattle Office of Economic Development, Seattle Good Business Network, Shunpike, and any private funders
  • Promote your participation in the program through social media, website promotion, and the display of a Seattle Restored branded A-board, window cling, postcards at your location (if applicable)
  • Be responsible for costs related to security, additional tenant improvement, staffing, production, marketing, parking, etc
  • Discuss any significant renovations, 3rd party leasing, or programming not outlined in your initial application with your program lead prior to implementation (pop-up, art residency, and windowfront installations only)
  • Secure all licenses and permits as required including: change of use permits, construction permits, alcohol service permits, and large event permits 
  • Share monthly foot-traffic data using a mutually agreed upon system (if applicable)
In order to submit your application, you must provide the following:
  • City of Seattle Business License number (six digits)
    • Also known as a Business License Tax Certificate, City Customer Number or General Business License. License holders must renew this certificate by Dec. 31 of each year
    • You can apply for a City Business License and renew online at filelocal-wa.gov  or by mail.
    • Your City Business License number is separate from your Washington state business license. If you cannot find your number on the City Business License “Find a Businesssearch tool, you may only have a Washington state license.

  • If you make more than $12,000 annually you must acquire a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number (nine digits)
    • Businesses will receive a Unified Business Identifier number when they apply for their Washington State Business License. This can be done through the Department of Revenue online or by mail. Applicants can search for their Unified Business Identifier number online at wa.gov/businesses.

       

    • Long-term business application must acquire this license as the tenant improvement funds alone will exceed $12,000.

Long Term Business Applications will also be required to provide:
  • Two Years of Historical Profit and Loss Statements
  • Three-Year Pro-Forma Profit and Loss Statements with Cash Flow Projections
  • Concept Deck (example)
  • Letter of Recommendation (template)

If you are seeking support on securing or creating any of the above items, please reach out to access no-cost support from Launch Industries, through the Office of Economic Development ABC program. You must be a Seattle-based business to take advantage of these services.  

Additional Questions?

Contact us at moc.liamg@derotserelttaes.

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Seattle Restored Partners