The Snoqualmie Arts Commission is seeking passionate artists.

Any individual or organization with an arts program they’d love to teach or share with the community can now apply for funding to do so from the Snoqualmie Arts Commission(SAC)’s 2020 Art Partners Program.

SAC is accepting proposals from arts organizations and artists until midnight on March 8. Applications can be found online (https://bit.ly/2SXsUU1) and can be submitted via email to nsanders@snoqualmiewa.gov or dropped off in person to City Hall, second floor, attention to Nicole Sanders.

Proposals can include both classes and events for visual, musical and performing arts, and all programming must occur in Snoqualmie in 2020, or in 2020-2021 for a multi-year program. Both for-profit and nonprofit arts organizations are eligible, but preference will go to nonprofits with an arts focus or experience in public arts programming.

Nicole Sanders, climate and long range senior planner, said that rather than having to volunteer to put on classes or activities, this is a great way for artists and teachers of the arts to get paid for sharing their programming with the community.

“The goal is to support the arts in the community,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for people and organizations who have an art they love to share that with the community.”

She said this is important the same way the arts are important.

“The Snoqualmie Arts Commission is a strong vehicle for trying to expand the arts in the city,” she said. “The arts speak to a lot of things about being human and being alive, celebrating beauty, celebrating things that give us hope, help us to relax and be kind to one another and see the quality that makes humans human and remember that we’re all human in these trying times. The arts is something to be valued and is important in the community.”

Sanders said various applications come through the collaborative platform for arts programming. She said of particular interest is the ability to provide free or reduced-cost art classes, as well as general events for the community.

Past recipients include Mount Si Artist Guild, Art Gallery of Sno Valley, and even a drumming class during Railroad Days.

“That was really fun,” Sanders said.

Other examples programming that’s been done that could qualify for support include painting classes as well as joint ceramic classes with parents and youth.

She said one notable event series typically supported by the program is the Finally Friday Art and Wine Walks that operate on the final Friday of the month May through August and draw 1,000 people every year. Although the wine walks pre-date the Art Partners Program, they have been supported in this way since the support began, she said.

Sanders said they are hoping to receive more proposals, including from those who wouldn’t normally step out, as they typically get no more than three or four proposals. She said she also understands applications like these can be intimidating and she’s happy to help or answer any questions.

Each person may submit multiple proposals. Those selected will be notified by the end of the business day on March 13.

Questions or requests for further information should be directed to Nicole Sanders at nsanders@snoqualmiewa.gov.