While COVID-19 and the statewide shelter-in-place mandate have disproportionately impacted the arts and food service industries, Black artists and restaurant owners are some of the hardest hit. We partnered with some incredible local individuals and organizations to raise funds for the Seattle Artist Relief Fund and provide direct financial support to Black artists and restaurant owners in our region.

Hosted by Nikkita Oliver and Jace ECAj, a diverse lineup of notable local Black artists streamed professionally filmed live performances from their homes to the festival website on November 14 and 15, 2020. The site offers viewers a rich and immersive festival experience featuring a virtual mainstage, artist tip jar, and virtual “Food Trucks” with links to support local Black owned restaurants.

Shelter Fest Seattle directed over $20.7k to local Black artists, Black-owned restaurants, and the Seattle Artist Relief fund! In total, both days of Shelter Fest received over 16.8k views and over 527k impressions.

After our livestream event, KEXP re-broadcasted performances from Shelter Fest artists generating thousands more views and maintaining a YouTube fundraiser to continue supporting SARF.

tidepool (FKA Bad Habit Media) managed all aspects of the festival including digital marketing, web development, video production, livestream production, fundraising, and talent coordination.