Moving Stories: Short-Form Graphic Novels for King County Metro Transit RapidRide Grant

The 'Moving Stories' project invites six artists to create short-form graphic novels that illustrate narratives from communities along King County Metro's RapidRide lines. Each artist will receive $54,000 to develop two graphic novels, focusing on community engagement, storytelling, and visual narrative creation. This initiative supports the expansion of public transit by showcasing diverse local stories, encouraging artists with ties to the area to apply, regardless of prior public art experience.

Note: Production and distribution of Moving Stories and associated promotional media will be funded separately. However, artists will be expected to actively participate in collaborative planning, formatting, and design refinement, as well as public presentation of the collection—including social media outreach and in-person events. RapidRide line assignments will be determined after selection.
Moving Stories: Short-Form Graphic Novels for King County Metro Transit RapidRide
Budget
$54,000 per artist, inclusive of research, engagement, content development, regional travel, WA Sales/Use Tax, and other applicable taxes.
$49,000 for the development of two RapidRide line-specific short-form graphic novels, including:Place-based research and community engagementStory developmentCreation of visual narratives and delivery of production-ready files to spec$5,000 for time dedicated to:Cohort, advisory, and graphic design meetingsParticipation in a limited number of promotional and outreach activitiesTravel, as needed
Opportunity
King County, WA is experiencing unprecedented population growth. To meet the increasing demand for high-quality public transit service, Metro is undertaking a major expansion of its RapidRide system—an arterial bus rapid transit network serving key corridors throughout the region.
A cohort of six artists will be commissioned to create two original short-form graphic novels each, illustrating stories from communities along Metro’s twelve existing and planned RapidRide bus lines (A–K and R).
Service Areas
Existing RapidRide lines include:
A Line: Tukwila International Boulevard Station, Federal Way Transit CenterB Line: Redmond, Overlake, Crossroads, and BellevueC Line: South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, West Seattle, Alaska Junction, Fauntleroy, and Westwood Village D Line: Crown Hill, Ballard, Interbay, Uptown, and Downtown SeattleE Line: Aurora Village Transit Center, Shoreline, Bitter Lake, West Green Lake, and Downtown SeattleF Line: Burien Transit Center, SeaTac, Tukwila International Blvd Station, Tukwila Sounder Station, Renton Transit Center, and The LandingG Line: Madison Valley, Capitol Hill, First Hill, and Downtown SeattleH Line: Burien, White Center, Westwood Village, Delridge, and Downtown Seattle
Future RapidRide lines include:
I Line: Renton Transit Center, Kent Transit Center, and Auburn StationJ Line: University District, Eastlake, South Lake Union, and BelltownK Line: Totem Lake Transit Center, downtown Kirkland, downtown Bellevue, and the Eastgate Park-and-RideR Line: Chinatown-International District, Mount Baker, Columbia City, Hillman City, Brighton, and Dunlap

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual artists working in illustrative storytelling, cartooning, comics, and related visual media who reside in Washington or Oregon. No prior public art experience is required. Artists with ties to communities served by—or located along—RapidRide lines are strongly encouraged to apply.