WHO WE ARE

What is Gates Open WA? 

Gates Open WA is a Washington State based, non-profit, charitable grant-making organization that provides financial and connective support for art projects and artists in Washington State. Founded in 2024 by President Monica Nevi and Vice President Aryn Wilkins. We are governed by a board of directors composed of full-time artists, talent representatives, producers, bookers and more individuals directly involved in the arts community of Washington State. 

 

What type of grants does Gates Open WA award? 

We currently will be awarding two grants. One grant will be specifically for a comedy project or program and one grant being for any general art project or program. We are keeping our requirements limited and our categories broad as we want to help more art and higher quality art exist here in Washington and restricting conditions seems counter-productive at this point. As the organization grows our ability to give more grants will too. 

 

Who is eligible? 

Anyone who wants to make art in Washington State is eligible to apply. If it is a project, the artist does not need to live in Washington State or be from there, they just need to complete the majority of the project in Washington State. If it is a program, festival or other in-person live experience, it just needs to happen in Washington State. 

 

For the comedy specific grant, it is only limited to being funny. It can be a comedy special or film, an album, a live touring show around the state and we are excited to be pitched things we haven’t heard of. Just be funny. Hilarious would be ideal.