Common Area Maintenance
Common AREA Maintenance is an artist led nonprofit in downtown Seattle. We operate art studios, a Risograph print shop, woodshop, bookstore, and performance space, supporting artists and cultural workers through collective resources, and public programming.
We host workshops, exhibitions, and public gatherings year round while developing affordable housing and cultural infrastructure for artists and nonprofit partners.
Come spend time with us and let’s keep making this city amazing!
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Affordable Art Space & Community Programming
We support a wide range of artists, including material based artists, print artists, and over 50 writer members. In line with Common AREA’s ethic of accessibility, all memberships are affordable and many are available on a sliding scale model.Aligned with our mission to break down barriers to art access and engagement, our events and workshops are thoughtfully designed to be either free or offered at an affordable cost. These encompass a diverse array of experiences, such as art exhibitions, performance art, readings, lectures, and an ever expanding catalog of educational opportunities.
At the heart of our community is a unique programming model that encourages individuals from all walks of life to propose their ideas freely. Importantly, we do not burden our community with production fees, adhering to a no cost model for realizing these collaborative and innovative community programming concepts..
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In collaboration with creators from across Seattle and the NW, we run a bookstore for independent publishers, artists, and the public to gather and share works. It’s not about the transaction of buying a book so much as creating a place where people can dwell with the printed word. Our local community of writers, comix and book artists, printers, and teachers curates the space to keep it inclusive and welcoming. It gives zine fair energy a place to thrive year round. Make sure to check out the bookstore page and submit your work.
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We invite artists of all backgrounds to take part in a shared resource for teaching and learning in Seattle. This is a welcoming platform for creativity, resource sharing, and community driven growth. If you are interested in teaching, learning, or proposing a class, we would love to hear from you.In our open classroom, artists from various disciplines can explore and expand their teaching capabilities. Whether you're passionate about writing, printmaking, drawing, performance arts or other disciplines, we want to support you.
Whether you're an experienced teacher looking to expand your horizons or a passionate artist eager to share your expertise, our open classroom is the perfect space for you to thrive, learn, and contribute to our communities.
Join us in shaping the future of art education in Seattle!
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Our print shop is a core part of CAM, managed by a team of dedicated printers and open to a broad community interested in print arts and publishing.
Our guiding principle of resource sharing continues to shape how the space operates. Whether you are an experienced print artist or someone with a project in mind, you will find an environment that fosters creativity and encourages collaboration.
Members have 24/7 access to shared studio spaces where they create, teach, exhibit, and collaborate. CAM runs on a volunteer-driven model that keeps space affordable and accessible, with flexible membership options tailored to different creative practices. We are looking for artists with shared values who are dedicated to their practice and interested in community building and resource sharing.
Plus, all CAM members have the opportunity to consign at least one piece of work in the Common Objects Bookstore!
We want to work with amazing artists and writers!
Become a member here
Join us for gatherings that inspire curiosity, spark dialogue, and bring community together.
Make a direct donation to support the work as it unfolds—sustaining artists, programs, and the space to keep things moving forward.
Join our Mail Art Club and receive original prints by Seattle-based artists, delivered to you each quarter. Support the artists and our printshop while building a collection that grows with each release.