The SEAF 2022 Call for Art is almost here!

Artist Dave Clay standing in front of a canvas painting a woman posed provocatively, reference images visible on wall behind him.

Theydies and Gentlethems! All right, you creative darlings, we don’t want to startle you, but we have a very important question: are you ready for the Call for Art? It’s okay, we’re not either, but our portal reopens in five days (five days!). On January 1, the SEAF 2022 Call for Art is go! So time to bust out your gear, make that emergency run to the art store, critically examine your performance playlist, whatever it is that gets you feeling creative and sexy, because we need you! That’s right, you, right there. We see you.

The Call for Art will run from January 1 to February 15! That is 46 days to submit your erotic virtuosity! Your orgasmic magnum opus! (I’m overdoing it again, aren’t I? We’ll move on.) Whether lovingly kinky or boldly demure, we are interested in all your sexy pieces! We want you, the artist, to help us answer our 20 year burning question: “What is erotic?”

And speaking of 20 years, to honor our 20th year as a festival, we will be offering an Early Bird discounted fee of $20 for submissions before January 16. Beginning on the 16th, submissions fees are $38. Your fee allows you to submit up to 5 works to the festival. This year we are pleased to offer a scholarship program to artists from traditionally marginalized communities. (If you, gentle reader, are not an artist, but would like to contribute, kindly consider donating to our scholarship program here.) As always, there is no submission fee for artists who live and create outside of North America.

Now, since we are still in an age where we must be mindful of everyone’s health (particularly in large groups), we are still doing things a little differently in the areas of Installations and Performance. More information will be forthcoming, but our blanket advice for now is to consider things that are no contact, or low contact but easily cleaned and allow for safety measures (like gloves). If you have more specific questions about whether or not something is encouraged or allowed, we are always available to answer them.

Also, you may be excited to learn that Film is returning to SEAF in 2022! Films have been a part of the Seattle Erotic Art Festival since the days when we held the festival at Consolidated Works. There have been many iterations and many fabulous partnerships to bring erotic films to SEAF. This year, we are excited to present the first annual Pan Eros Film Festival at the SIFF Film Center in the Seattle Center, during our 20th anniversary.

Are you excited? We’re excited! We’re positively stimulated! A breakdown of our fees and deadlines, along with some handy information and frequently asked questions, can be found here. We can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this year!