The Urban Artist Residency Program
Clarion West is developing an artist residency program in the heart of Seattle.
We’ve partnered with Common Area Maintenance (CAM) on the recovery of the El Rey Building in Belltown and will be taking over the second floor to establish a residency program open to artist development organizations and permanent home for the Six-Week Workshop. Follow our progress here and learn more about how you can help!
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, has led 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!
Together, CAM and CW are developing a network of arts organizations and stakeholders in the Greater Seattle Area to launch this first-of-its kind urban residency program with on-site housing for organizations to house up to 18 artists and writers.
The El Rey is the future home of the Six-Week Workshop. As an accessible space with everything on site that we will need to house 15-18 writers each summer, it’s a critical opportunity.
It’s so important that Clarion West dedicated $100,000 of the bequest funds from Vonda N. McIntyre to help launch this project.
Experience a fully-contained residency floor, including:
18 Rooms!
offering individuals and arts organizations a unique residency experience in the heart of a major US City. The El Rey is a fully ADA accessible building with an on-site elevator and every floor has accessible bathrooms.
Common Kitchen, Classroom, and Common Areas
giving all visiting artists and writers a place for shared meals as well as instructional space for classes, workshops, and meetings
Opportunity for international and cross-cultural exchange
for Seattle residents and visiting artists from around the country and around the world.
Year-round availability to artists and writers
to offer classes, readings, open mic events, and other literary events for the Greater Seattle Community at affordable rates.
What this means for the Six-Week Workshop
In 2023, Clarion West set out to identify and work with partners toward making a full return to the in-person Workshop financially sustainable. With CAM’s purchase of the El Rey Building, this dream has become a reality. The agreement between the two organizations allows Clarion West to utilize the Residency Floor every summer, indefinitely, at a rate that is fair and affordable. There will be 18 individual rooms for overnight stay, creative work, common areas, classrooms, shared kitchen space, community resources, and events.
Latest Updates
Volunteer Work Parties have been going on all summer to help clean and prepare the building for renovations and ground-floor occupancy.
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Clarion West & Common AREA Maintenance Residency Program Announcement
Two Seattle Arts Organizations Join Forces to Announce A One-of-a-Kind Urban Residency Program for Artists & Writers
Facing Today’s Challenges
Writing organizations are facing increasing expenses that affect their ability to hold in-person workshops for writers of any length.
And Counting!
What We Need Now
We’re inviting you to take part in a one-of-a-kind residency opportunity in the heart of Seattle. Individuals can make a big difference!
We need volunteers, donors, and folks willing to share and talk about the project. Can you help?
Share the Vision
This project is going to need the help of many individuals and organizations and we want people to know about the residency opportunities! Please share this page and other updates on your socials and tell your friends!
Join the Advisory Committee
The advisory committee is a collaboration of arts organizations, funders, and individuals that have a vested interest in the residency program. Read More Here
Questions?
We want to hear from you.
Whether you are interested in supporting the residency program as a donor, development partner, or service provider, or you’re the administrator of a program that could benefit from the project once it’s launched, Clarion West believes that we go further together. Get in touch today to learn more about what’s possible by signing up for newsletter updates or email your inquiry to .
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Advisory Committee
The urban artist residency program