About Arts Walk

Olympia Arts Walk is a semi-annual community event celebrating the arts. Thousands gather in downtown Olympia in both the Spring and Fall for a festive arts experience that uses creativity to connect and engage people from all walks of life.

Visual Artists and Performers that would like to be included on the event map or listed in the event schedule must partner with a downtown business or organization to display your work or present your performance. Contact any business in downtown Olympia and ask if they would be willing to host your work. Most business owners will want to see or hear a sample of your work prior to registration, so be prepared. For more information, please click the Registration Information & Application button below.

Whether you’re looking for a rich arts tradition to share with family and friends or innovative experiences that will engage your mind, body and soul, Olympia Arts Walk has something for you. Many of our unique downtown businesses and organizations transform their spaces into creative hubs filled with art, demonstrations, and performances. In the streets and sidewalks you will find pop up performances and places to connect around almost every corner.

Spring Arts Walk includes the incredible Procession of the Species produced by Earthbound Productions.

Arts Month Fall 2020

Arts Walk is moving forward with a modified approach for fall 2020. Arts Walk will continue to be a platform for amplifying the creativity and innovation in Olympia and serve as a vehicle for connecting our community.

Instead of a two-day event, the program is shifting to an Arts Month. Throughout October we will highlight programs and activities presented by participating locations, artists, and virtual performances. Keeping with the current CDC and State guidelines, in-person performances and gatherings will not be allowed as part of this event.

Arts Walk social distanced activities can include, but are not limited to:

Works of art on display indoors and outdoors

Virtual performances & events

Social distanced workshops and programs

Film programs that meet state guidelines

Take out art activities

Recently installed murals and public art

All activities must meet local and state guidelines, and organizations must provide a social distancing plan for their site or activity.

Please know that this won’t be our typical Arts Walk, we won’t have street closures or public gatherings; instead of a printed map there will be an online schedule of activities; and participating artists and organizations will be asked to provide a social distancing plan. We encourage artwork on display in spaces like restaurants and storefronts, virtual performances, virtual artist meet & greets, and allowable in person activities like films, museums, and workshops with 10 people or less keeping with State and County social distancing guidelines.

To support local creatives, business and organizations all registration fees will be waived for fall 2020. Visual artists looking to display their work at a downtown business or organization please be sure to partner with a location to participate. Virtual performances and virtual artist studio tours can register independently. Additionally, the fall 2020 program will expand from downtown only to locations within Olympia City limits.

Registration will be limited to the first 100 applications. Priority Deadline to register is September 21 with additional registration as capacity allows.





2020 Event Dates & Times

Spring Arts Walk

Cancelled

Fall Arts Walk

October 1 - 31

Important Dates for Participants

Spring registration opens January 1

Spring Early Bird Registration Deadline: January 15

Spring Final Registration Deadline: January 31

Fall Priority Registration Deadline September 21

Cover Artist Application Deadline (to be considered for the following year): November 1

*Applications available online approximately 6 weeks before their corresponding deadline.

Special Thanks

Olympia Arts Walk is presented by City of Olympia Arts Commission, the Parks, Arts & Recreation Department, with support from local businesses, event sponsors, community partners, and all who make this event possible.