Six-Week Workshop Housing Information & Updates

Since 2020, our previous housing partners closed while the cost of dormitories has significantly increased. In 2024, the organization committed funds from savings to hold the Six-Week Workshop in Seattle and support 83% of participants with scholarships. As a result of the high costs of the dormitory spaces, the workshop will be virtual until our new residency spaces are ready for move-in. Read on to learn how we are working toward a long-term solution in the heart of Seattle!

A New Partnership & Building Opportunity for the Workshop

We are excited to share that a new partnership with Common AREA Maintenance (CAM), a mission-aligned artist collective in Seattle, may lead to a long-term solution for affordable residency spaces! With the official transfer of the historic El Rey Building in downtown Seattle to CAM, the next step is rehabilitation and renovations toward a community art hub with low-income artist housing, event and classroom space, and a residency floor! 

We have been working closely with CAM to envision a 2nd floor residency space, including: 

18- room residency floor offering individuals and arts organizations a unique residency experience in the heart of a major US City.

Opportunity for international and cross-cultural exchange for Seattle residents and visiting artists from around the country and around the world. 

Space for artists and writers to offer classes, readings, open mic events, and other literary events for the Greater Seattle Community. 

Next steps: The El Rey Building was abandoned for several years and needs significant repairs and renovations before move-in can happen. Clarion West will be supporting CAM’s efforts to rehabilitate the building and to create a residency floor for partner organizations.

A residency floor designed for arts organizations
A shared resource for Seattle’s arts organizations with eighteen rooms and a sliding scale model so partner organizations of all sizes can host visiting artists. This floor makes it possible to build new residency programs, expand existing ones and bring artists from across the country and the world to Seattle.

Affordable lodging for visiting artists
Low cost lodging for artists, writers and cultural workers who come to teach, collaborate and create.

Expanded cultural opportunities
Gives organizations the ability to invite guest artists and grow workshops, classes, readings and performances.

Stronger arts networks
A steady flow of visiting artists creates lasting relationships and new collaborations across creative communities.

Accessibility: The El Rey Building is a fully ADA accessible building with an on-site elevator and every floor has accessible bathrooms.

Would you like to learn more and get involved in the process? Email Marnee at .

Moving Forward

Clarion West plans to continue to hold the workshop virtually as CAM raises funds to begin renovations at the El Rey Building. Once the residency floor is ready, we hope to host the Six-Week Workshop in-person in Seattle again! As Clarion West returns to an in-person workshop, we will continue to seek opportunities to offer virtual workshops in similar or more appropriate formats for those students who find it more accessible to their needs.

Our experience has been that the virtual workshop offers a unique set of benefits, along with new challenges. Our 2021, 2023, and 2025 virtual workshops have proven to be just as effective as our in-person workshop at connecting students and instructors, as well as creating amazing friendships and stories. In 2025, Clarion West also launched the nine-month novel writing workshop and our efforts in offering a variety of formats will continue this year and beyond.

More information on virtual workshops:

• Virtual workshops are accessible to different demographics, including international students who cannot get visas or afford the high cost of the in-person workshop; parents/caretakers who cannot leave their homes for six weeks; writers with at-home care needs; and others who want to balance their regular schedule with the workshop.
• Though virtual formats are challenging in different ways than in-person ones, the virtual cohorts maintain strong connections after the workshop, and our virtual alumni are publishing stories at similar rates to other recent classes.
• The virtual workshop can be more accessible for instructors and staff (especially those who live outside of Seattle or the U.S.!) and reduces costs in other ways, especially with travel and the stress of transportation. Some of our instructors now prefer the virtual workshop, while others will always prefer to be in person.
• The virtual workshop is accomplishing two very important goals: when we hold the virtual workshop, we create opportunities for writers from all over the world who may not be able to attend a Six-Week Workshop in person, and we keep the workshop running despite the financial challenges of running a residential program.

There are a lot of benefits to running the Six-Week Workshop online. Thus we are committed to continue to explore the virtual workshop alongside a future where we can return to hosting an in-person workshop each year.

You can help!

We continue to look for partners that are interested in supporting a future residency program, as well as help in finding people interested in supporting the vision of CAM an a downtown arts hub. This future home for the Six-Week Workshop in downtown Seattle will enhance our work, bring new opportunities, and better position Clarion West in the Seattle community.

If you would like to learn more, or can offer help with this process, please reach out to Marnee Chua at .