The Residency launched in July 2015 as a collaboration between the Museum of Pop Culture, Arts Corps, and Grammy award-winning artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was created in response to the glaring gap in access to high-quality, experiential arts education for low-income youth. It has quickly become the preeminent training ground for the next generation of artists poised to leave a lasting mark on Seattle’s growing music industry. The Residency seeks to build a strong community of young hip-hop artists equipped with the artistic and leadership skills, business acumen, and mentorship necessary to become professional artists and cultural change-makers. Through their participation in The Residency, young artists from low-income families acquire tangible artistic and professional skills while also gaining confidence, teamwork, and a deepened understanding of their own identity and power. The Residency exists to break down barriers to equitable arts learning.