The City of Auburn issues Calls to Artists for a variety of arts opportunities throughout the year. View opportunities and sign up to receive information about future calls below.
Questions? Call: 253-931-5100
DEADLINE: June 15, 2026 at 10:59PM
The goal of the Postmark Gift Shop is to provide a platform to support local Washington State artists and create a retail destination offering a variety of unique handcrafted items for Auburn residents and visitors to enjoy.
Eligibility: Only Washington State artists will be selected for the gift shop, with a preference given to artists residing in the City of Auburn and surrounding areas.
For more information or to apply, please view the Gift Shop Application.
2026 Holiday Market Vendor Application
DEADLINE: August 19, 2026 at 10:59PM
The City of Auburn, WA seeks applications for art vendors for the annual Postmark Center for the Arts Holiday Market, taking place in November. This Holiday Market will be a small, cozy experience for holiday shoppers interested in unique, handmade arts by local creators. Located in the Postmark Center for the Arts, selected artists will receive one 24” x 60” table to display a selection of their work for sale.
Eligibility:
We welcome all Washington State artists and craftspeople making unique, handcrafted, and accessibly priced work to apply!
For more information or to apply, please view the Holiday Art Market Vendor Application.
DEADLINE: September 2, 2026 at 10:59PM
The City of Auburn is seeking artists and/or artist groups working in two-dimensional or small three-dimensional media to exhibit their work at City of Auburn gallery spaces in 2027. Galleries are within City operated buildings including the Auburn Senior Center (Cheryl Sallee Gallery) and the Community & Event Center.
Artists and/or artists groups of diverse mediums are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to: printmaking, painting, drawing, mixed media, textiles, mosaic, glass, recycled materials, photography, calligraphy, collage, fiber art, ceramics, jewelry, metal sculptures, etc.
Eligibility: Established and emerging artists and/or artist groups working in two-dimensional or three-dimensional media will be considered.
For more information or to apply, please view the Gallery Application.
DEADLINE: September 2, 2026 at 10:59PM
The City of Auburn, Washington, seeks applications from regional artists to install 3-dimensional or multi-media art installations in two site-specific gallery spaces in downtown Auburn: the Art on Main Gallery and the Vault Gallery. Both spaces provide a $1,000 artist stipend to support the creation of new work and site-specific projects, or the installation of existing work.
Eligibility:
- Any individual artist or collaborative artist team in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) may apply.
- Past participants of Art on Main or Vault Gallery are welcome to reapply.
For more information or to apply, please view the Site-Specific Arts Galleries Application.
DEADLINE: September 23, 2026
The City of Auburn Poet Laureate position was established by City Ordinance 6383 in 2011 to recognize and honor a citizen poet of exceptional talent and accomplishment. The term of service for Auburn’s Poet Laureate is three years. The award is honorific; there is no financial compensation for the position. The Auburn Arts Commission forwards recommendations of qualified applicants to the Mayor for final selection and appointment.
The Auburn Poet Laureate is encouraged to promote the appreciation of poetry and literary life in Auburn through events and opportunities that invite the public to engage with poetry and literature. The Poet Laureate is also invited to participate in various City of Auburn public openings and events throughout the three year term.
Eligibility:
- Poet must be a resident of Auburn for at least one year.
- Applicant and nominee must be at least 18 years old.
- Poet must have produced work of the highest caliber and have contributed substantial service to the development of the literary arts as demonstrated by the submitted application.
- Poet's submitted work samples may be on any topic, although consideration will be given to works representative of Auburn and its history. All poetry forms will be considered.
- A poet may not self-nominate him or herself.
- No award will be given posthumously.
- Poet must not be: a member of the current Auburn Arts Commission, City of Auburn staff member, or be a person in a member’s or staff’s immediate family or household.
Application Resources:
For more information or to apply, please view the above resources or contact [email protected].
DEADLINE: September 30, 2026
This program provides funding support for artists, arts or cultural organizations, or community members proposing ideas for free arts and cultural programs serving residents and visitors at the new Postmark Center for the Arts. We are excited about bringing local artist and community members together in a space that aims to provide opportunities for growth, creative participation, inspiration, and understanding through dynamic and multi-faceted programming.
Eligibility: Individuals, groups of people, neighborhood or business organizations seeking funding for an art program or cultural event at the Postmark Center for the Arts.
Project Budget: Grants are typically awarded from $500 to $2,000 per project.
Application Resources:
For more information or to apply, please view the Postmark Programming Grant Application.
DEADLINE: September 30, 2026
The goal of this program is to provide support to arts-related projects and programs within the City of Auburn to encourage the growth, innovation, excellence, and accessibility of the arts. This is an opportunity for artists to create art projects or programs that have free public benefit for Auburn residents and visitors.
Eligibility: This is a call to artists residing in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho).
Project Budget: Funding is typically awarded for $500 to $1,000.
Application Resources:
For more information or to apply, please view the Artist Project Support Grant Application.
ArtRageous Teaching Artist Opportunity
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Seeking talented and creative teaching artists to lead art making activities at the variety of City of Auburn summer festivals and events. Proposed projects that utilize repurposed or recycled materials are encouraged!
Festivals: ~10,000 to 15,000 total attendance.
Budget: Lead artists paid $40/hour for event and $25 for prep time.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Arts Program Supervisor, Allison Hyde at [email protected].
Postmark Teaching Opportunity
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Seeking talented and creative teachers to lead various creative and performing arts classes at the Postmark Center for the Arts.
Please view our Teaching Opportunities (PDF) application form, which also outlines all requirements and guidelines.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the above application form. For questions, please email Arts Program Supervisor, Allison Hyde at [email protected].
Postmark Gallery Exhibition Proposal Form
Accepting Proposals for 2027
Thank you for your interest in proposing an exhibition at the Postmark Center for the Arts Gallery!
If you are interested in proposing an exhibition in our gallery, please fill out the Gallery Exhibition Proposal Form for consideration. Priority given to Arts and Cultural Arts groups as well as curators from the Puget Sound area.
Performer Inquiry
DEADLINE: Ongoing
The City of Auburn hires performers for several different music series, the Farmers Market, and other events. If you are a performer and interested in being booked, please fill out the Performer Inquiry Form for consideration.
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Links to the many opportunities offered to artists in our area: