About the Space Grants Program

Once a year the Olympia Artspace Alliance invites artists in Thurston County to apply for funding to support the costs related to their space needs, including but not limited to rent, utilities, space repairs, storage unit rental, shelving, storage containers, ADA accommodations, and more. Grants are not intended to support launching a new project or for buying new equipment or supplies.

Artist is a self-applied term. You can be a musician, performer, practice visual arts, language arts or poetry, potter, sculptor, or practice any other medium that you personally identify with as art. We ask that you share work samples with us along with basic information.

This is a merit based grant, and OAA prioritizes applications from artists who are from historically marginalized communities, BIPOC artists, artists who are immunocompromised, artists who identify as LGBTQIA+, artists with immigrant status, and artists living with or having a disability. Applicants must reside in Thurston County and be at least 18 years of age.

Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of OAA Board Members. The panel’s decisions will be final; there is no process for appealing their decisions.

This grant program is shaped by our mission and values:

• OAA mission: To preserve, develop and advocate for affordable live, work, and exhibition space for artists in Olympia Washington.

• OAA values: Community, Inclusion, Advocacy, Affordability, Trustworthiness, Creativity.