Artists & Small Businesses

HELPING ARTISTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THRIVE

Seattle Restored participants gain access to financial and technical support to help grow their businesses. Selected artists and small business owners are awarded free, short- term placements or subsidized long-term lease funding, along with technical assistance in commercial space development, marketing, business planning, and lease negotiation. Participants also benefit from professional photography and are featured in a citywide multimedia campaign.

activation types

Applicants can apply for the following types of activations:

WINDOW Art Installation

Exhibit and sell your artwork via QR code from a street-facing window display. This activation is displayed for a duration of six months and includes an artist stipend.

ARTIST RESIDENCY

Work in a shared artist studio space to display and sell your work to the public. This activation is in place for a duration of six months and includes an artist stipend, tenant improvement funding and no-cost lease.

Pop-Up

Test your retail or service industry pop-up concept in a pre-furnished storefront location. All pop-up shops are open to the public. This activation is in place for a duration of two months and includes a stipend, tenant improvement funding and no-cost lease.

LONG-TERM Lease

Secure a long term lease agreement with the support of Seattle Restored. Participants will sign and uphold a lease with property owners and receive rent support from Seattle Restored for a duration of two years along with tenant improvement funds.

Why Participate?

  • Opportunity for direct sales and/or visibility to your supporters and public
  • Funding to support activations
  • Connection to prospective property owners
  • Professional photography 
  • Inclusion in a citywide media campaign

WHAT’S INVOLVED

  • Activate vacant storefront windows or retail/studio space
  • Work with a dedicated Seattle Restored program manager
  • Complete a Seattle Restored contract
  • Create and maintain public-facing website activation profile
  • Participate in Seattle Restored digital passport program
  • Allow Seattle Restored to document and publish photography/video footage of the space
  • Participate in pre- and post-program survey and monthly sales reporting

COST (POP-UP SHOPS, WINDOW ART INSTALLATIONS, ARTIST RESIDENCY)

  • Seattle Restored will provide participants a fixed stipend in working capital to help support merchandising and staffing or art installation.
  • There are no additional lease or utilities costs
  • Tenant improvement funds dispersed based on activation type
  • Seattle Restored will hire contractors to support tenant improvements as needed
  • Seattle Restored will obtain liability insurance for each activated property for the duration of the activation. Additional insurance obtained by the participants may be required. 

application PROCESS

  • Applications are currently closed 
  • There is no cost to apply
  • The Seattle Restored program is dedicated to uplifting historically underrepresented groups. Over the course of the program, over 125 businesses and artists were selected, with 94% self-identifying as BIPOC and/or woman-owned.
  • A panel of peer artists and entrepreneurs will evaluate the applications
  • Accepted applications will participate in a matchmaking process with available spaces

Seattle Restored encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities.

Seattle Restored encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. For translation, disability accommodations, materials in alternate formats, or accessibility information, contact us at info@seattlerestored.org.