Seattle City Hall Gallery Exhibitions

Two galleries at Seattle City Hall – the City Hall Lobby Gallery and the Anne Focke Gallery – focus on exhibiting displays that reflect the broad diversity of Seattle's communities. Exhibitions showcase the life of the city through the work of its service agencies and the activities of its residents and organizations. Exhibitions are typically displayed for six to eight weeks. The City Hall Lobby Gallery features eight 6' x 4' double-sided metal peg-board panels. The Anne Focke Gallery features a 120-foot long display wall with professional hanging system and is located on the L2 level of City Hall in a corridor leading to the Boards and Commission Hearing Room and Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union.

Proposals are encouraged from community groups, artist group shows, Seattle-based organizations, and city of Seattle departments. Exhibitions should reflect the diversity of Seattle's communities and emphasize the people, places, and character of Seattle. Individual artists should not apply unless specifically supported by a sponsoring organization and the work has great significance to Seattle. Special consideration is given to exhibitions with enough work to fill both galleries, typically between 35 and 80 framed and ready-to-hang works. Exhibition spaces are equipped to display 2-D materials. 3-D exhibitions will only be considered if applicants commit to furnishing all necessary display cases. Video and media works cannot be accepted.

Exhibitors are responsible for preparation and installation of all exhibition materials as directed by the City Hall Exhibition Review Panel (CHERP). Exhibitors must provide text, labels, and transportation of framed artworks to and from City Hall. All work must be mounted or framed with hanging straps. All exhibitions are displayed at the exhibitors' own risk as there is no insurance for objects submitted for exhibition. The city of Seattle will not accept responsibility for damage or loss of display materials. No budget is provided for this exhibition opportunity. Applications are evaluated based on quality of presentation and artistic merit, relationship of exhibition material to the life of the city, treatment of subject matter, and technical and legal feasibility. Exhibitions containing graphic depictions of violence, sexually explicit imagery, and/or nudity are highly discouraged. The City reserves the right to adjust exhibition dates based on specific City needs.