Now accepting applications for the Arts Walk 2027 Cover Artists
The City of Olympia is seeking two artists to create original works of art to serve as the signature promotional images for the 2027 Spring and Fall Arts Walk celebrations!
Selected artists will each receive a $1,000 stipend, and their commissioned artwork will be prominently featured in Arts Walk publications and promotional materials.
Artists ages 18 and older who officially participated in Olympia Arts Walk in 2025 or 2026 are eligible to apply. This includes artists who exhibited individually or as part of a group at a registered Arts Walk location, as well as registered Artist Vendors at the Arts Walk Arts Market.
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Applications close November 22, 2026. Don't miss this opportunity to share your creative vision and have your work featured as part of Olympia Arts Walk's 2027 celebrations!
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Learn more
The South Sound Music Summit 2026
(brought to you by the South Sound Block Party, Inspire Olympia and a lovely group of Volunteers)
Join us at the South Sound Music Summit - an event for bands/performers and music industry professionals to exchange ideas, make new relationships, learn, share resources and more.
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Sunday, November 22nd, 2:00PM
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@ the Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE
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Free, all-ages event ---> PLEASE RSVP
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Learn more
City Seeks to Fill Vacancies on Council Appointed Advisory Bodies
The City of Olympia is seeking community members interested in being appointed by the City Council to serve on City advisory bodies. Advisory bodies provide a way for residents to share opinions and perspectives, study issues, develop recommendations, and provide advice from the community perspective to the Olympia City Council.
The advisory body application period is now open and runs until Monday, Dec. 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. Membership terms generally run for two years. Appointments for this recruitment cycle begin on April 1, 2027 and end on December 31, 2029. Applications are being accepted for vacancies and upcoming vacancies on the following committees serving the City of Olympia.
There is one (1) vacancy open for the Arts Commission. The Olympia Arts Commission advises City Council on the art experiences of diverse communities of this region, through programs and opportunities that pro-actively foster arts and cultural activity for every segment of the community. Their primary focus are the public art projects administered through the Olympia Arts Program that include Arts Walk, Percival Plinth Project, Traffic Box Wraps, the Art Crossings Project, Poet Laureate Program and other arts programming including the acquisition and maintenance of the City's collection of public art.
Join us at Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation for some great classes!
To register or for more information, please click the link after each class, call 360-753-8380 or stop by to see us at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia.
Performing Arts & Dance
Creative Contemporary Dance, Nov 9-Dec 14
All About Guitar Chords, Nov 19
K-pop Dance, Nov 21
Visual Arts, & Crafts
Holiday Block Print Cards, Nov 14
Glass Fish Celebration Workshop, Nov 14
Watercolor Holiday Cards, Nov 16-30
Dot Mandala, Nov 18
Color Your Canvas Painting - Winter Raccoon, Nov 19
Zen Ink Holiday Cards, Nov 21
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Leonor R. Fuller Gallery Hosts 16th Annual Fine Art Postcard Exhibition
The annual Fine Art Postcard Exhibition returns to the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery for its 16th year with the theme "How High is the Sky?"
"The postcard theme is a sort of 'ad-lib' prompt to inspire our creative community," said Sean Barnes, Gallery Director of the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery. "Each year, those who visit the exhibition can vote on the following year's theme, then I meet with the gallery committee to select one. This year's theme, 'How High is the Sky?', was selected from last year's community suggestions. We will continue this process for the 2028 exhibition, so I encourage all to put their ideas into the suggestion box at this year's show."
The exhibition will feature postcard-sized (4" x 6") original artworks created by artists of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds-including SPSCC students, staff, and faculty. Works will be sold through a silent auction, and proceeds will go towards supporting gallery programming.
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Exhibition from January 4 to February 5, 2027
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The closing reception will be held on Friday, February 5, at 6 p.m.
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More information is available on the college's Leonor R. Fuller Gallery page.
Celebrate and support OAA at the Olympia Ballroom on Friday, December 4!!!
Mark your calendars: Please join the Olympia Artspace Alliance, for a night of dancing, art, and good company. Join us for a 18+ community event on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the iconic Olympia Ballroom to celebrate and support our local artists!
During this lively, fun evening, we're raising funds to help more artists create and grow their careers in 2027. Let's raise a glass together, support our local artists, and expand access to our programs. Your support will make it possible for us to continue to pay artists in our community to share and develop their work!
Event Details
• Where: The Olympia Ballroom | 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501
• Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
• Time: 7- 11 pm
• Admission: $35 per person (18+ only)
• Attire: Art fancy!
What to Expect
• No-Host Bar & Apps: Enjoy no-host cash bar (21+) and delicious appetizers
• Art Auction: Bid on beautiful art and support our local artists led by the one and only Elizabeth Lord.
• Excellent Vibes: Enjoy and elevated atmosphere, tasty refreshments, and gathering with community to support the arts.
• Dancing and Merriment: After the auction and snacks we'll make space to dance and revel!
We can only host 130 people at this event. Get your tickets today to secure your spot. We hope you can join us to gather in community and support OAA! Oral History in the Classroom: Explore Possibilities for Classroom Learning
What makes oral history meaningful for students?
What kinds of stories and perspectives belong in the classroom?
What support do educators need to use oral histories well?
Join Window Seat for an afternoon of listening and reflection on the possibilities of oral history as tool for learning. Together, we'll spend time listening to selection from Window Seat's archive of interviews with local elders, artists, and community organizers. Our conversation will inform how Window Seat can organize and share its collection in new and more accessible ways for educators and students.
Whether you already use oral histories in your classroom or are simply curious about how they might fit into your teaching, we'd love to have your perspective. Oral history is applicable to all subjects. Come listen, reflect, and imagine what's possible!
This session is geared toward middle and high school teachers, but all are welcome!
Dukes of Swing at the Eagles' Club
Presented by Olympia Jazz Central
The Dukes of Swing are the official dance band of the Aberdeen Elks. This big band has been swinging for nearly 80 years!
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Monday, November 9m, 7 - 9:30pm
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The Eagles Social Club, 4th and Plum
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$15 - $35 suggested
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All ages welcome until 9pm
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The Eagles Social Club welcomes Eagles members and their guests. Be our guest for the evening!
Newsletter Roundup
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Applications OPEN! South Sound Studio Tour
The application to participate in the 2027 South Sound Studio Tour is NOW OPEN!
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APPLICATION WINDOW: November 7 - December 31, 2026 (apply now before you forget!)
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APPLICATION MATERIALS: 3 - 5 images of your work, one sentence that can be used to describe your work
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COST: FREE to apply. If accepted, the fee to participate is $35. If this is a barrier, please reach out to [email protected] for financial assistance.
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STUDIO TOUR DATES: May 22-23, 2027, 11am - 4pm
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LEARN MORE & APPLY
November LAW Starts the 16th
Sign up for November LAW by 11/12
Legal Advice Week starts November 16th. Join this monthly opportunity for artists and arts organizations in WA State to get free advice on specific legal issues. Sign up today for a 30-minute consultation with an attorney.
WLA LAW is open to artists and arts organizations throughout Washington State. LAW Clinics address and support legal issues* related to an artistic discipline and can cover a wide range of areas, such as: Copyright., Trademark, Publicity Rights, Licensing, Fair Use, Business Formation, Contract Review.
*Legal issues involving patent, employment, criminal, tax, & family law are not apt for WLA LAW.
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Museum & Visitor Center Front Desk Docent
The Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance is seeking volunteers to support the OlyAHA! Museum & Visitor Center. Volunteering at the Olympia AHA Museum is a chance to learn and share Olympia's stories, to build connections in the community, to gain museum and customer service experience, and to be a part of something local, vital and lasting. Our volunteers are the face of the Olympia AHA Museum. They greet guests, share stories, and connect visitors to the best of Olympia.
As a volunteer you will:
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Welcome and assist visitors
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Interpret exhibitions
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Sell merchandise
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Help visitors to discover Olympia's arts, heritage, and cultures
We're looking for committed volunteers who are enthusiastic about Olympia's arts, cultures and history.
Our volunteer team is:
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Friendly, welcoming, and professional
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Comfortable learning point-of-sale and scheduling tools
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Reliable, cooperative, and ready to assist visitors
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Volunteer Experience:
Volunteers work in pairs at our front desk for three- or four-hour shifts. Volunteers can expect seasonal appreciation events and ongoing learning opportunities!
Learn more and complete a Volunteer Interest Form at www.olyaha.org/volunteer.
Volunteer at the Thurston County Museum of Fine Arts
TCMoFA is currently looking for volunteers to help support our organization in upcoming programming. The museum is a volunteer operated project run on the passion, commitment, and enthusiasm of local artists and arts organizers. We are seeking volunteers for front desk shifts and flyering in Olympia. To apply visit our website tcmofa.org
Olympia Historical Society
If you have an interest in local history, please consider becoming a volunteer with the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. We have a variety of roles to fill, including tour guides for the museum's Sunday afternoon open hours (1:00pm-4:00pm), groundskeeping at monthly Saturday morning work parties, and committee work for our Education, Bigelow House Operations, and Events (annual historic homes tour and spring fundraiser) committees.
To learn more, please email us at [email protected].
South Sound Studio Tour Volunteer Opportunities
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The South Sound Studio Tour is looking for Board Members. Send a resume and short statement of interest to [email protected] to apply.
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The South Sound Studio Tour is looking for volunteers. Fill in the Volunteer Interest Form to help with the 2027 Studio Tour, artist opportunities, and related events.
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The ARCH Digest is a summary of Arts, Culture and History happenings in the greater Olympia area, submitted by the community. Please turn in ArCH Digest listings to [email protected].
Deadline Monday morning, 8 a.m.
If you know of anyone who would like to receive the City of Olympia Arts & Culture news, which includes a weekly ArCH Digest, direct them here and have them mark the Arts & Culture box.
Disclaimer: Information in the Arts Digest is not vetted through the City, nor is it endorsed by the City. The reader is solely responsible for checking background on any opportunity listed above.
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Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
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