ABOUT
Base Camp Community (BCC) is a Washington state nonprofit, founded in February 2026 to develop, operate and sustain affordable creative communities.
Base Camp Community’s immediate focus is activating and developing 1518 3rd Ave, The Parnassus Building, into a mixed use creative community with affordable for-sale artist housing, working studios, gallery space, and community creative amenity space. The Parnassus gallery and community creative amenity space will be the public facing foundation of Parnassus’ vibrant community. The residences and studios will provide permanently affordable space for artists to live and work.
BCC is an affiliate of Base Camp Studios, a creative community of 40+ artists in affordable studios and gallery spaces spread across two formerly long-vacant buildings in downtown Seattle. Since April 2022, over 10,400 works of art from 4,160+ artists have been exhibited at the two locations that together have welcomed over 38,000 visitors.
Vision
Base Camp Community envisions neighborhoods where art, history, and culture are protected as public assets — and where the creative people who shape a community's character remain part of it.
Mission
Base Camp Community builds and sustains affordable art studios, housing, and creative community spaces that keep artists and residents rooted in their neighborhoods. We partner with local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations to develop and manage safe, affordable places for people to live, create, and access essential services — combating displacement and strengthening the cultural and economic fabric of communities. We believe the arts enrich and connect neighborhoods with the people who live in them.