Six-Week Workshop Housing Information & Updates

In 2024, Clarion West partnered with the University of Washington for Workshop housing. This decision was not made lightly, as we realized that we would need to raise $84,000 in order to make up for the expense of the in-person facilities, instructor travel, and meals.

The Clarion West board of directors had hoped to raise funds throughout 2024 to make up for expenses; however, we are still far short of our goal.

As a result, the workshop will be held virtually in 2025. The board and staff continue to seek the best solutions possible to the cost of in-person workshops, and will continue to raise funds, seek partnerships, and consider opportunities for obtaining property in the Greater Seattle Area.

More information about housing is available in our FAQ. If you can help support the Six-Week Workshop, please consider doing so this year! Every dollar goes a long way toward ensuring a future for the workshop.

You can still pitch in during the Fall Crowdfunding Campaign November 11–December 3!

What can you do to help the workshop return to Seattle?

• Do you know anyone who manages student housing or hospitality accommodations in the Greater Seattle area? We’d love to make some deeper connections!
• We are actively seeking partnerships with other nonprofit organizations in the Greater Seattle area with similar missions. Please reach out if you are interested in partnerships or looking for similar housing opportunities. 
• Do you know a developer or city planner who is looking to anchor a new project with a core nonprofit tenant? Please connect us! 
• Are you an investor who is interested in student housing in Seattle? We’d love to be your long-term summer tennant. 
• Donations to the Clarion West general fund help the organization build capacity toward a future capital campaign. Please consider making a donation in any amount.
• If you have any further ideas or want to help in our search, please contact Marnee Chua at .

Due to the ongoing nature of this search, Clarion West plans to hold the Six-Week Workshop virtually unless funds are raised at least six months prior to applications opening the year before. This means that the workshop will be held virtually in 2025.

Keep reading to get a comprehensive idea of what we’re looking for and the challenges we’ve identified.

2024 Facility Expenses and Tuition

For the 2024 Workshop, Clarion West raised the in-person tuition from $4,800 to $5,200 due to the rising cost of housing in Seattle. This was the absolute highest that the organization was comfortable with raising tuition this year. However, tuition and scholarships were not sufficient to pay for the full expenses of the in-person workshop. The organization decided to take on the task of raising the additional $84,000 necessary to host the workshop in Seattle. We are still fundraising and seeking housing partners.

Clarion West has a long history of partnering with universities and organizations in the Seattle area to house the Six-Week Workshop. As we’ve honed in on what our students need for their workshop experience and focused on affordability, equity, and accessibility, the number of potential partners has narrowed. Even before the pandemic, we couldn’t secure a long-term agreement for housing.

Since 2020, several of our area housing partners have closed or consolidated. The cost of dormitory housing has significantly increased and is unsustainable for the long-term. 

Accessibility in Cost, ADA Requirements, and Location

The board and staff are committed to finding an appropriate housing partner that can rent to the organization within our budget, is located near public transit, and is either already ADA accessible or is willing to partner with Clarion West to update to accessible accommodations. 

At a minimum, a workshop location needs to meet the following criteria: 

• Accommodations for 19–20 guests to have their own bedrooms. A mix of shared and private bathrooms is preferred; 
• One or more common areas accessible to everyone for group meetings, study, and relaxation; 
• A classroom large enough for 22–23 people to sit comfortably around a table — within easy walking distance of student housing; 
• A common dining area and kitchen or dining hall large enough for up to 25 people, within easy walking distance of student housing; 
• Easy access to city-wide transit; 
• Walkable neighborhood with accommodations (a short walk to groceries, pharmacies, coffee shops, and other conveniences); 
• If facilities are not already ADA accessible, Clarion West has funds for accessible build-out and is interested in long-term partners that will work with us to build fully accessible facilities.

Moving Forward

Our 2021 and 2023 virtual workshops have proven to be just as effective as our in-person workshop at connecting students and instructors, as well as for creating amazing friendships and stories. We plan to hold the 2025 workshop online as well.

There are a lot of benefits to running the Six-Week Workshop online — you can read accounts from members of the Class of 2023 here. Thus the possibility of holding the workshop virtually every other year or on a regular basis is very much under consideration.

If you’d like to help us locate a future home for Clarion West and envision future programs more accessible to all: 

We continue to look for partners that can help secure a home for the Six-Week Workshop in Seattle as well as partners interested in developing programs that follow and enhance our Core Values.

We would love to make more connections and partnerships in the community. If you have an idea, or can offer help with this process, please reach out to Marnee Chua at .