Maybe you’ve been gazing wistfully at little backyard art studios or you’ve been dreaming of an music-filled tree house, but a lot of us have big dreams about tiny spaces. The City of Seattle wants to hear about what could be possible in 400 square feet—and then build it.
The Seattle Office of Arts and Culture has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for “tiny cultural spaces”—either one 400 square foot building or up to three 120-square-foot structures.
“Imagine a small but permanent outdoor stage,” reads the RFP. “Or a puppet theater. Or a space for a tea ceremony, or a coffee ceremony. Would you like to launch Seattle’s tiniest art gallery? Or its smallest writers’ residency? Is there an ecological social justice and history-based mini-museum you’ve been hoping to open?”
Projects must be single-story without plumbing, gas, or heating. Electricity is possible. While nonprofits, community organizations, and other applicants “committed to pursuing equity” can apply, applicants need to commit to maintenance and programming for at least five years.
In the final project, the city is looking for an innovative use of space, broad public benefit, and cultural need. “Does the project provide access to space for communities who have traditionally been left out of the city’s capacity-building?” asks the RFP. “Does it benefit communities who have been impacted by institutionalized racism?”
The chosen project will be built either on the applicant’s property or on a small slice of city-owned land by Sawhorse Revolution, a local nonprofit that teaches design and carpentry to teens, with assistance from Olson Kundig and LMN Architects. (Sawhorse also built several tiny house structures for Nickelsville).
Applications are due on Friday, October 14.