Totem Star

Partnerships - In 2024, Totem Star expanded its community impact through new partnerships at our shared home in the historic Amtrak station in Pioneer Square. We joined Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre and The Rhapsody Project as founding members of Station Space, an arts hub for youth-centered organizations. Once an unused 2nd floor is now an active creative campus filled with youth music, theater, and cultural programming. Together, we launched the first Station Space Block Party, featuring performances by young artists from across all partner organizations. We continue to collaborate on community events and shared resources to support and empower youth artists. Totem Star also launched a new partnership with the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention to serve youth housed in the juvenile detention facility. Through a newly developed music production program, we provide personal mentorship, collaborative creative opportunities, and supportive community connections.

Artist Booking - In 2024, Totem Star continued its commitment to paying young artists for their work. Through our Artist Booking program, youth gain professional experience both as performers and as independent contractors. This year, we booked 18 Totem Star artists for 15 paid performances at community events including the Discovery Center Teen Action Fair, Build the City, THING Festival, Washington Filmworks, The Creative Advantage Meet & Greet at SAAM, Rock the Giving Season, Afropunk, and the Changemakers Summit. Artist Booking helps shift the narrative around how creative laborespecially that of young artistsis valued. Our goal is to model equitable pay practices and inspire wider change across the community.

The Stage - Totem Star hosts an artist showcase twice a year plus two open mic nights for The Stage. Not only does The Stage offer opportunities to help plan and produce a show, but it is also a chance for youth to share their artistic voice and take creative risks in front of their peers and communities.

Lavender Sessions - It is a new space for women and non-binary youth to share music and stories, and provide mutual support for one another.

The Story - It is a monthly event where we invite a local artist to come speak and share their stories with our Totem Star artists.

Totem Star Leadership Collective - Aligned with the school calendar, the Totem Star Leadership Collective (TLC) is our youth advisory board. The TLC meets monthly and makes recommendations on policies, improving programs, and more.