Supersones performance at Spotlight on the Waterfront 2023. Photo by Jo Cosme.
Waterfront Park Programming Roster
Join our roster today!
A directory of local artists, performers, and community organizations eager to engage in programs and events at Waterfront Park! Join our diverse roster of partners as we seek collaborators to enrich our upcoming programs and events.
About The Roster
Friends of Waterfront Park (“Friends”), is establishing a roster for the 2025 programming season and beyond. This roster is open to new, past, and existing partners, artists, and performers who are interested in collaborating with us.
It is important to note that being included in this roster does not guarantee specific opportunities with Friends of Waterfront Park.
The roster serves as a dynamic resource that enables us to stay connected with a diverse pool of talent and organizations. As new opportunities arise, we will refer to the roster to explore potential collaborations and partnerships.
About Friends
Since 2020, Friends of Waterfront Park has co-created, curated, and hosted diverse events like dance performances, yoga sessions, music shows, and cultural festivals. Earlier this year, we introduced an “open call” for performers, leading to a roster that will function as an ongoing directory to help us identify partners for future opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
Friends manages park operations, fundraising, and programming, offering free events co-curated with regional community partners. The park’s completion in 2025 will bring expanded programming to new areas, enriching downtown’s cultural landscape.
We value the contributions and talents of all individuals and groups who join our roster, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. While we cannot guarantee participation in specific events, being part of the roster opens doors to potential future collaborations and engagement with Friends of Waterfront Park.
DANDY performs at Spotlight on the Waterfront in 2023.
Who Can Join the Roster?
Our goal is to continually cultivate inclusive spaces where all people—specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as underserved communities—are invited to contribute and be a part of programs, events, and Waterfront Park. Prioritization will be made for Puget Sound and Greater Seattle-based artists and organizations.
We are Currently Seeking Artists, Performers, and Community-Based Organizations/Nonprofits that are interested in:
- Winter & Fall Activations (e.g., Lighting installations)
- Markets
- Movement, Wellness, Play
- Family and Youth
- Performance (e.g., Music, dance, comedy, spoken word)
- Storytelling
- Visual Arts
- Festivals
- Multidisciplinary (E.g., Various performing arts)
- Advanced Media (E.g., Virtual/augmented reality)
- Cultural Celebrations
- Community or Social Services
- Design Exhibitions (E.g. Fashion, art)
- Workshops (E.g., Crafts, woodworking, painting, sewing)
- And more!
Who should NOT submit to join the roster?
- Event Rentals: If you are an organization or for-profit business seeking to rent areas of Waterfront Park for public or private events, please visit this link instead. The roster is not intended for event rentals.
- Past and Existing Partners: Individuals or groups who have previously partnered with Friends or who have applied to the “Open Call” will be automatically added to the roster and do not need to resubmit their information. If you would like to submit a new idea, you may submit your information to the roster.
- Vendors/Business: Food and beverage businesses who are interested in vending along Waterfront Park or at events should NOT fill out the roster form. We currently do not have an active vendor application, but plan to in the near future. Please visit our vending page here for more information and join our newsletter to stay up to date on vending opportunities.
Is your idea a good fit?
Check out our past events here.
See the array of events that have been brought to the Waterfront.
Check out our Cultural Master Plan here.
In the fall of 2023, Friends hosted 11 roundtables with 148 programming and community partners to co-envision the future of the park, which culminated in the Cultural Master Plan, launched in June of 2024. This plan has been instrumental in shaping our work and will be our guiding star as we look to develop future programming along the park.
Baseline Requirements
- Is your idea or performance all-ages appropriate for families with young children?
- Does your event engage diverse audiences and promote inclusivity?
- Is your idea free and accessible to the general public?
- Does your idea or performance comply with the safety regulations and guidelines of the park?
- Can the implementation of your idea be conducted outdoors?
If you answered yes to these questions, we’d love for you to join the roster!
How to Join and What's the Process?
Joining the Roster
- No Deadline: There is no specific deadline for submitting your information to join the roster. You can submit your information at any time. The sooner you join the roster, however, the sooner our team can learn about you and the higher likelihood we’ll be able to reach out about potential partnership!
- Eligibility: Any individual, group (such as artists, performers, instructors, etc.), or nonprofit organization is eligible to submit their information to the roster. Once you submit your information, you are automatically added to the roster. If you are deemed ineligible, our team will reach out to you to redirect your inquiry or seek further clarification. Please see more information in “Who can Apply” above.
- Submitting Multiple Ideas: Only one submission is required for an individual or group. You can include multiple ideas in a single submission. If you would like to submit new ideas after your first submission, you may do so at any time.
- Referrals: While submitting your information, you can opt into allowing Friends to share your information with our partner organizations who may also be interested in partnering with you (e.g., Seattle Center, Downtown Seattle Association, etc.).
Once you are on the roster
- Community Input: Our Community Partnership Committees have played a critical role informing this process and will continue to be involved in the decision-making on select programs.
- Potential Partnership: Friends will review the roster on an ongoing basis to identify partners as opportunities arise. Our team will reach out to discuss potential partnership by the first quarter of 2025.
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions or accommodation requests.
We appreciate your interest in joining our roster, and we look forward to exploring potential partnerships and creating exciting experiences at Waterfront Park in the upcoming seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Friends will review the roster on an ongoing basis to identify partners as opportunities arise. Our team will reach out to discuss potential partnership by the first quarter of 2025.
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Yes, financial support will be provided and can range from a couple hundred dollars (e.g., workshop instructors) to a couple thousand dollars (e.g., live performances, Spotlight series, etc.) depending on the terms of your agreement. Partners can expect Friends to discuss these details during the contracting phase where we will collaboratively explore production needs, budget, event duration, logistics, and other considerations that will help determine the level of support available.
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Friends of Waterfront Seattle will help to support your program with production and marketing depending on the terms of your agreement contract.
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It depends on the location. If the event is hosted on Pier 62 there may be a 16 x 16 ft stage available, but you are also more than welcome to utilize the pier without a stage.
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Once you are on the roster, your information will be kept on the roster for review by our team each year. You are able to submit new ideas each year. If you wish to remove yourself from the roster or update your information, please reach out to [email protected].
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Depends on the program type. For example, in 2024, our Spotlight series will be hosted on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm. Other programs are flexible to various days and times of the year.
