2027 Benefit Art Auction
Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Artist Trust’s open call for art for our Annual Benefit Art Auction is open from September 8 - October 16, 2026. We invite visual and jewelry artists to submit up to three works to be considered for inclusion in our 2027 Benefit Art Auction. Donating artists can receive 50% commission on the sale price of their work.
ABOUT THE AUCTION
The Artist Trust Benefit Art Auction is an annual fundraising event that brings together artists, community members, collectors, donors, and friends to celebrate and support individual artists of all disciplines working in Washington State. The 2027 Benefit Art Auction will be an in-person evening event on Saturday, March 6, 2027 at the Seattle Design Center.
ABOUT ARTIST TRUST
Artist Trust is a nonprofit organization that supports the livelihoods of artists working in all disciplines to create a more vibrant and equitable Washington State. We fuel our funding and other programs for artists through fundraising, partnership, and community engagement. Recognized as a national model for direct funding and professional development for working artists, we have invested over $15 million in individual artists since our founding in 1986. We view our mission through a lens of racial and geographic equity. Learn more by visiting artisttrust.org.
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FROM SEPTEMBER 8 – OCTOBER 16, 2026
Artist Trust invites visual and jewelry artists to submit up to three works to be considered for inclusion in the auction. We are looking for 60 – 70 items to include in next year’s auction. Our aim is to present your best work, and artwork will be juried on the following criteria:
- Quality and originality of the work
- Audience appeal and ability to sell
- Size and weight, for ease of transport and installation (Size limit for 2D work is 48” x 48”)
- Retail value ($200 to $3,000 preferred); bidding starts at 50% of retail value
Artists are welcome to submit work outside these parameters – exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Due to installation restrictions and depending on media, there may also be weight restrictions. If your work is selected, the jury would pick just one piece for inclusion, regardless of the number of pieces submitted.
2D work must be framed, when appropriate, or otherwise accompanied with the appropriate hanging hardware. We understand and appreciate that framing is an added expense and encourage artists to include the value of this service in the retail value of the submitted piece.
Please keep in mind that accepted work will need to be dropped off at the Artist Trust office in Capitol Hill, Seattle in late January 2027. Should you want or need to ship your work, Artist Trust is unable to reimburse you for shipping expenses.
The 2027 Benefit Art Auction jurors will be announced soon!
BENEFITS FOR DONATING ARTISTS
- A 50% commission for sold work
- A complimentary ticket and discounted guest ticket to the Auction on March 6, 2027
- A complimentary one-year Artist Trust Membership
- Artwork, bio, and website highly visible to the auction jury, on the auction website, and to an auction audience of 500+ collectors, arts professionals, nonprofit leaders, and artist peers
- Selected works featured in social media, email promotion, and guided curator tour
- Infinite gratitude from Artist Trust’s staff and board!
TIMELINE
- October 16, 2026 | Submission deadline
- Early November | Jury meets
- Mid-November | Selection notifications sent to artists
- Late January 2027 | Artwork drop-off
- March 6, 2027 | Auction
QUESTIONS?
Contact Justine Deacon (she/her), Annual Giving & Events Director, at justine@artisttrust.org
Contact Submittable at submittable.com/help
- with website access issues
- for questions about uploading or formatting images
- with other technical support needs
Thank you for your support!