Art Up Issaquah

Call for Creatives!

Are you looking to launch or grow a creative business in Issaquah?

Do you need help figuring out where to start, or how to design and pursue the next phase?

Issaquah’s Creative District is launching an 8-week training series for young creative businesses! If you are building your creative arts career in Issaquah, and you bring or want to bring people into the Issaquah Creative District to make or enjoy creativity, arts, music, or any kind of self expression, then we want to hear from you!

This opportunity is open to individuals, community groups, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. To be eligible, you need to have a clear description of your creative business and how it is related to the Issaquah Creative District. (The Issaquah Creative District is the area encompassed by the downtown core on Front Street, Gilman Village, and the Issaquah Work Lofts.)

To apply, please email the following items to ali@happytimestudio.com:

• Resume

  • Please don’t separate “artist resume” from “work resume,” because art IS work!

  • We want to know about your work experience and key skills. Don’t hold back!

• Links to related work

• Answers to the following prompts:

  • Please describe your business/project in 3-5 sentences.

  • How will participation in Art Up Issaquah impact you as an individual?

  • How will participation in Art Up Issaquah impact other local creatives?

  • How will participation in Art Up Issaquah impact the general public?

We can accept up to eight participants for this program.

Applications are due by March 11, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Notifications will be sent by March 27, 2026.

Feel free to send questions to ali@happytimestudio.com

Program Description:

Art Up Issaquah will support creatives in seeking sustainable and meaningful economic opportunity through creative work. Participation in this workshop series will foster peer learning and connections, new arts opportunities in the Creative District, and consistent and tailored business development training and support for working creatives.

We will meet weekly for eight weeks in the spring of 2026. Once selected, you will be asked to complete a short survey to help us ensure the workshop content matches your needs. During the course of the experience, we may end up scheduling a wrap-up celebration that the group designs, if desired.

There is no fee to apply or participate.

Workshops will take place in-person at Gibson Hall in downtown Issaquah.

Workshop Topics:

• Identity – Exploration of mission, vision, and values

• Strategy – Identify goals, strengths, and challenges

• Grants 1 - Research and Case for Support

• Grants 2 – Data and Outcomes

• Budgets – How and why to build a budget

• Marketing 1 – Storytelling as Capital

• Marketing 2 – Digital presence strategies

• Evaluating Success – How to know if it’s working

This workshop series is taught by Ali Marcus, Katie Miller, and Divya Rajan, who collectively bring many decades of experience as artists, teachers, consultants, and leaders of various arts and small business entities and endeavors. We have been where you are!

Program Timeline:

2/13/26 - Applications Open

3/11/2026 - Applications Close

3/27/2026 - Notifications Sent

Workshops will be from 10am-12pm on the following dates:

April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12

Program Benefits:

What will you learn from being a part of Art Up Issaquah?

• Organizational Strategy

  • How to make purpose-driven decisions

  • How to connect the day-to-day with the big picture

  • How to collaborate and integrate other people into your work

  • Data collection and management ideas

• Technical Skills and Tools

  • Methods for organizing and tracking your time and priorities

  • Annual budgeting process and format

  • Grant research approaches

  • Persuasive writing techniques

• Personal Relationships

  • You will learn a surprising amount from your cohort members, who are also working creatives in your local community

  • Establish a network of resources as you pursue your future projects

  • New people who will support you and new collaboration opportunities

FAQ:

I do not live in Issaquah. Am I eligible to apply? You do not need to live in Issaquah to apply. If your artistic practice and/or small business impacts the Issaquah Creative District, then show us how in your application. Show us how you are building your arts career in Issaquah. Show us how your work will bring people into the Creative District to experience art. The strongest applicants will make a persuasive case here, but where you live is not a critical piece of the puzzle.

What is a “creative business?” It is very hard to put boundaries around the definition of art. Some artists would never consider themselves a business; some business owners would never consider themselves artists. Art Up Issaquah wants to hear from all of you. If you value the arts, if you value creativity, outline your perspective in your application and how your work advances creativity. Use your imagination - we are excited to see what you come up with!

What if I have more questions? Please reach out to ali@happytimestudio.com with any additional questions.