A THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF BASE
In 2024, Base launched Flourish—a three-year effort to raise $300,000 in support of residencies, organizational capacity, and new community-facing programs. In its first year, Flourish surpassed expectations: more than 85 supporters helped raise over $100,000 to expand our artist residencies, strengthen our team, and pilot new public programs.
Now, as Base celebrates its 10th anniversary, we’re entering Year Two of Flourish—building on momentum as we acknowledge the realities artists face today. The stakes for creative freedom are rising, and Flourish meets that urgency head-on. Together, we’re investing in the next decade of space, stability, and experimentation.
Flourishing together
As the needs of artists keep increasing, so does the urgency of what we do.
Powered by a surge of three-year pledges, Flourish is growing Base’s capacity to meet the needs of a diverse and increasingly national creative community.
Why now matters.
Ten years ago, Base opened its doors with a simple belief: that a thriving city must make space for artists to take risks. Since then, hundreds of artists and collectives have developed and shared new work here—work that travels across the country and shapes the future of performance.
Today, artists are navigating unprecedented economic and political instability. Affordable space is scarce. Funding is contracting. Public support for experimentation—the lifeblood of cultural evolution—is under threat.
That’s why Flourish matters now more than ever—both as a campaign and as an act of resilience. Flourish is at the heart of how we ensure that Seattle continues to be a city where bold ideas can begin, grow, and reach a broader world.
Three Goals
By expanding the capacity of one lean nonprofit, Flourish can help an entire ecosystem thrive. From $5 monthly to $10,000 annually, the three-year pledges that drive this campaign support three fundamental goals:
1) Fund more artist residencies.
The Base Residency is the cornerstone of our work. Through Flourish, we’re increasing to 12 weeks of residencies in 2025–26—offering time, space and support to artists from Seattle and across the country.
➡ Since 2016, Base has provided residencies to 36 artists, many of whom have gone on to take their work far beyond Seattle.
➡ This year, the Base Residency Program received 88 applications from artists in 16 states. Soaring demand for what we do shows our deepening connections in a national arts community.
2) Build our team.
A stronger team means deeper support for artists, more consistent public engagement, and a more sustainable future.
➡ By valuing creative labor at every level, Base continues to model equity and sustainability in the arts. Expanding our team ensures that the same care we extend to artists is reflected in the people who make this work possible every day.
➡ Year One funding helped us add a part-time Executive Director and a local Operations and Programs Manager—essential steps toward a fully staffed organization. Year Two keeps that momentum going.
3) Pilot new initiatives.
This season, two new pilot programs in film, movement, and music will connect audiences to experimental work in fresh ways. They also fulfill a core Flourish promise: to invite the community more deeply into Base’s mission and amplify the impact of what happens here.
➡ Our new initiatives grow directly from the creative exchanges that happen every day at Base—where artists, audiences, and collaborators intersect.
➡ Base’s reach is expanding. By collaborating with artists and organizations across the U.S., we’re strengthening a national ecosystem for experimental performance—one that amplifies Seattle’s creative voice while nurturing lasting connections across regions.
Flourish with Base because…
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Base is the only nonprofit in Seattle committed to providing free and below-market space to dance and performing artists.
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Work developed at Base has reached audiences in New York, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Toronto and many other communities.
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Like-minded individuals can amplify the good Base does—and help reclaim Seattle’s livability and cultural caché in the process.
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Base has a mandate to elevate creative risk-taking—which helps evolve culture, expand equity, connect communities, drive innovation and spark empathy.
It’s time to
Flourish.
For a decade, Base has held the line for experimental art in Seattle. We’ve made space for risk, invention, and creative freedom—together with a community that values imagination as essential public good.
Flourish is how we protect and grow that legacy. It’s how we respond to the realities artists face right now—rising costs, political dysfunction, and a culture that too often sidelines experimentation.
By supporting Flourish, you’re helping Base grow—but you’re also ensuring that the next ten years of Seattle’s cultural life remain bold, inclusive, and artist-led. You’re investing in the freedom to create—and the communities that flourish around it.
For donor-advised funds (DAF), our EIN number is 30-0894683. For employer matching programs, we are listed with Benevity as Base. For questions about donating, please contact dayna@thisisbase.org.
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$10,000/year x three years
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$5,000/year x three years
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From $500 - $2,500/year x three years
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Crowd-sourced tier made up of monthly gifts of $5 and up
Thank you to our generous supporters!
Mari Leve
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Barbara Lewis
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Kris Lewis
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Etta Lilienthal
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Kaitlin McCarthy
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Susie McGee & Mark Lowdermilk
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Spike Mafford
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Mona Lisa Magal
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Keely Meehan
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Doug Mora
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Karen Moskowitz
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Shirish & Anne Mulherkar
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Katherine Nash
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Chris Nelson
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Christina Orr-Cahall
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Sharon Park
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Douglas Pearce
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Peggy Piacenza
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Boyd Post & Tina LaPadula
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Driscoll & Annie Robbins
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Spafford Robbins
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John Robinson
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Jennifer Roth
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Bennyroyce Royon
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Sarah Rudinoff
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Linda Sahlin
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Jennifer Salk
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Buffy Sato
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Sylvia See
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Jay Sloane & Trish Welsh
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Julia Sloane
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Steward Hartmann Charitable Trust
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Calie Swedberg
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Nicole Stellner & Peter Eberhardy
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Paul Thorpe
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Morgan Thorson
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Kris Wheeler & Frank Dauer
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Case van Rij
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Vogt Family Foundation
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Patrick Angus
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Woogee Bae
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Lele Barnett
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David Bowles
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Jason Campbell
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Bob Carver
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Eve Cohen
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Brian Collins-Friedrich
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Anonymous
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Juan Carlos Del La Ossa
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Rhessa O. Diaz
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Taha Ebrahimi
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Tyler Engle
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Timothy Firth
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Peter Gaucys
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Koushik Ghosh
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Kailin Gregga
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Nancy Guppy / Alden & Beverly Harris Family Foundation
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Dayna Hanson
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Deb & Erik Hanson
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Marlis Hanson
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Branden Harper & Alice de Muizon
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Cherie Hasson
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John Hoyt & Aana Lauckhart
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Jessica Jobaris
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Ahsan Kabir
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Satpreet Kahlon
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Glenn Kawasaki Foundation
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Jim Kent
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Sami Khoury
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Heather Kravas
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Kravas Family Fund
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Beth Kruse
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Nikolai Lesnikov
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Mari Leve • Barbara Lewis • Kris Lewis • Etta Lilienthal • Kaitlin McCarthy • Susie McGee & Mark Lowdermilk • Spike Mafford • Mona Lisa Magal • Keely Meehan • Doug Mora • Karen Moskowitz • Shirish & Anne Mulherkar • Katherine Nash • Chris Nelson • Christina Orr-Cahall • Sharon Park • Douglas Pearce • Peggy Piacenza • Boyd Post & Tina LaPadula • Driscoll & Annie Robbins • Spafford Robbins • John Robinson • Jennifer Roth • Bennyroyce Royon • Sarah Rudinoff • Linda Sahlin • Jennifer Salk • Buffy Sato • Sylvia See • Jay Sloane & Trish Welsh • Julia Sloane • Steward Hartmann Charitable Trust • Calie Swedberg • Nicole Stellner & Peter Eberhardy • Paul Thorpe • Morgan Thorson • Kris Wheeler & Frank Dauer • Case van Rij • Vogt Family Foundation • Patrick Angus • Woogee Bae • Lele Barnett • David Bowles • Jason Campbell • Bob Carver • Eve Cohen • Brian Collins-Friedrich • Anonymous • Juan Carlos Del La Ossa • Rhessa O. Diaz • Taha Ebrahimi • Tyler Engle • Timothy Firth • Peter Gaucys • Koushik Ghosh • Kailin Gregga • Nancy Guppy / Alden & Beverly Harris Family Foundation • Dayna Hanson • Deb & Erik Hanson • Marlis Hanson • Branden Harper & Alice de Muizon • Cherie Hasson • John Hoyt & Aana Lauckhart • Jessica Jobaris • Ahsan Kabir • Satpreet Kahlon • Glenn Kawasaki Foundation • Jim Kent • Sami Khoury • Heather Kravas • Kravas Family Fund • Beth Kruse • Nikolai Lesnikov •
Flourish is powered by Patrick Angus, Woogee Bae, Lele Barnett, David Bowles, Jason Campbell, Bob Carver, Brian Collins-Friedrich, Eve Cohen, Juan Carlos De La Ossa, Rhessa O Diaz, Tyler Engle, Taha Ebrahimi, Timothy Firth, Peter Gaucys, Koushik Ghosh, Kailin Gregga, Nancy Guppy/Alden & Beverly Harris Family Foundation, Branden Harper, Cherie Hasson, Deb & Erik Hanson, Dayna Hanson, Marlis Hanson, John Hoyt & Aana Lauckhart, Jessica Jobaris, Ahsan Kabir, Satpreet Kahlon, Glenn Kawasaki Foundation, Jim Kent, Sami Khoury, Kravas Family Fund, Heather Kravas & Jason Starkie, Beth Kruse, Mari Leve, Barbara Lewis, Kris Lewis, Etta Lilienthal, Nikolai Lesnikov, Mona Lisa Magal, Spike Mafford, Kaitlin McCarthy, Susie McGee & Mark Lowdermilk, Keely Meehan, Doug Mora, Karen Moskowitz, Shirish & Anne Mulherkar, Katherine Nash, Chris Nelson, Christina Orr-Cahall, Sharon Park, Douglas Pearce, Peggy Piacenza, Boyd Post & Tina LaPadula, Annie & Driscoll Robbins, Spafford Robbins, Jennifer Roth, John Robinson, Sarah Rudinoff, Bennyroyce Royon, Jen Salk, Linda Sahlin, Buffy Sato, Sylvia See, Jay & Trish Sloane, Julia Sloane, Nicole Stellner & Peter Eberhardy, Steward Hartmann Charitable Trust, Calie Swedberg, Paul Thorpe, Morgan Thorson, Case van Rij, Vogt Family Foundation, Kris Wheeler & Frank Dauer, and an anonymous donor.
Base in numbers
Last season alone, Base served 4,370 individuals—artists, collaborators, audiences and community members—through our programs and partnerships. That number was up from 2,229 the year before, signaling dramatic growth in our impact since the pandemic.
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Our signature program:
Six artists/creative teams
36 total artists, including collaborators
Three paid Seattle-based curators
12 full-access weeks, valued at $29,250
$19,500 in artist and curator fees
Six public Entry Points, with free and discounted tickets available
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Our low-cost self-production program for artists:
Nine independent productions by local artists and companies
17 nights of performance with total combined attendance of 500+
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Our revival of a beloved, low-tech performance series:
More than 20 artists showcased new work, also receiving marketing materials and a fee
240+ people attended six nights of performances
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53 artists rehearsed at Base , up 56 percent from 2023-24
Savings of between $5-$15/hour for each artist
Ankita Sharma
dhoka/Betrayal/, the piece Ankita Sharma completed during their 2023-2024 Base Residency, will have its formal premiere in 2025 at JACK in Brooklyn, NY. For Ankita, the opportunity to dial in technical and design elements over a two-week period—and test risky ideas within a new artistic landscape—would have been next to impossible in their home environment of New York, where space is in such scarce supply and where their work is known among their creative peers.
— Ankita Sharma
Brooklyn, NY
2023-2024 Base Resident Artist
“My residency at Base allowed me to be my most daring, expansive creative self.”
Drama Tops
On the heels of Drama Tops’ 2024 Base Residency, the duo received a prestigious National Dance Project grant, which will support continued work on DADS, the project they developed at Base.
“Base is such a valuable resource for artists in Seattle. Base has some of the most affordable rehearsal space in the city, and it's actually big enough to move in. It's such a struggle to have both enough time and money to create art, and the Base Residency gives you both!”
— Drama Tops
2023-2024 Base Resident Artists
Same As Sister
Same as Sister’s project, This is NOT a Remount, went from a 2021 Base Residency to its May 2022 world premiere as part of The Miserere Project at The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance in Toronto. The work was nominated for a Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts’ 2022 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production (Dance Division).
During her 2018 Base Residency, Jade Solomon Curtis began developing Keeper of Sadness, an exploration of Black womanhood, grief and joy. The work has since had creative residencies at Slippage Lab at Northwestern University and Where Art Can Occur (WACO) in Los Angeles and has been featured at APAP 2024 and On the Boards’ and Black Collectivity’s To Gather, a festival of West Coast Black artists.
Jade Solomon Curtis
“Base has been invaluable in supporting my creative journey. Their commitment to providing a nurturing environment for artists allows for authentic exploration, risk-taking, and innovation in our work and is essential for creating. Overall, my experience at Base has been transformative, equipping me with the tools, insights, and community support necessary to advance my artistic journey and deepen my commitment to socially engaged dance practices.”
— Jade Solomon Curtis, Seattle
2018 Base Resident Artist
Curator/Creator, Radical Black Femme Project
Degenerate Art Ensemble
While at Base, 2021-2022 Resident Artists Degenerate Art Ensemble developed their work, Boy mother / faceless bloom. A collaboration with Colorado-based sculptor Senga Nengudi and New York-based musician and performer yuniya edi kwon, the work went on to premiere at Colorado College before presentations at New York Live Arts, Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati and On The Boards.
Give today
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Give today ⁎
In a city where cost-of-living continues to soar by the year, Base stands alone in our commitment to keep rehearsal and incubation space affordable for artists. The Base team thanks you for your support at this decisive moment of growth.
Base Staff:
Dayna Hanson, Executive Director
Tariq Mitri, Operations & Programs Manager
Aaron Butler, Technical Director
Akoiya Harris, Operations & Marketing Assistant
Cat Urquhart, 12 Minutes Max Coordinator
Julia Sloane, Grants Specialist
Base Board of Directors:
Jim Kent, President
John Robinson, Treasurer
Natalie Sandoval
Nikolai Lesnikov
Alice de Muizon
Koushik Ghosh
Sharon Park
Brian Collins-Friedrichs
Linda Sahlin
Peggy Piacenza
Base gratefully acknowledges John Hoyt & Aana Lauckhart, Sarah Rudinoff, Peter Vogt & Katarina Powell, Peter Gaucys, Taha Ebrahimi, Chris Nelson, Heather Kravas, Tim Tomlinson and The Corson Building for their generous gifts of strategy, advocacy and hospitality during year one of the Flourish campaign.
Thank you
Video of Julia Sloane and Symone Sanz in 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Heather Kravas’s Residency by Jacob Rosen. Photo of audience at 2023-2024 Base Resident Artist Amy O’Neal’s Entry Point by Erin O’Reilly. Photo of 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Joe Tran by Allina Yang. Photo of Julia Sloane and Symone Sanz in 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Heather Kravas’s Residency by Jason Starkie. Photo of Lorraine Lau, Tyisha Nedd and Jaclyn Mason in 2018 Base Resident Artist Petra Zanki’s Pleasant Place by Jazzy Photo. Photo of Lori Goldston, Katiana Gonçales Rangel and Jim Fletcher in Ama, the Diver (2024 Base Occasional) by Stephen Anunson. Photo of audience at 2023-2024 Base Resident Artist Akoiya Harris’s Entry Point by Chloe Collyer. Photo of NEVE at Open House for 2022-2023 Base Resident Artist/Curator NEVE and Rana San by Michelle Smith-Lewis. Photo of Alyza Delpan Monley, Allie Hankins in Morgan Thorson’s Still Life (2019 Base Occasional) by Michelle Smith-Lewis. Photo of Ankita Sharma and Eyner Roman in 2023-2024 Base Resident Artist Ankita Sharma’s dhoka/Betrayal/ by Jim Coleman. Photo of 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Allie Hankins by Michelle Smith-Lewis. Photo of 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Alyza DelPan Monley by Allina Yang. Photos of Ankita Sharma and Eyner Roman by Jim Coleman. Photos of Drama Tops by Erin O’Reilly. Photos of Same as Sister’s This is NOT a Remount by John Lauener. Photos of Jade Solomon Curtis’s Keeper of Sadness at Where Art Can Occur by Matthew Parham. Photos of Degenerate Art Ensemble/Juni One-set’s Boy mother / faceless bloom by Bruce Clayton Tom. Video of 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Alia Swersky + Hannah Rice What is Holy? by Jacob Rosen. Photo of 2024-2025 Base Resident Artist Constance Strickland by Jim Coleman.