On Friday, January 25, 2013, representatives from the national organization ArtPlace came to Seattle to present Capitol Hill with a distinct honor: the Pike/Pine corridor was named one of the top 12 ArtPlaces in the United States. Mayor McGinn accepted the honor on behalf of the neighborhood. The distinction was given based on strict criteria such as the number of retail and service businesses; the percentage of independent businesses; the neighborhood’s Walk Score; and the percentage of workers in creative occupations living in the neighborhood. Two arts-related indicators were also used: the number of arts-related non-profits and the number of arts-related businesses. Finally, neighborhood scores were normalized for family income so that neighborhoods with the highest concentration of income did not skew the results.

Below you’ll find a handful of images from the event. We’re so proud that so many wonderful arts and cultural organizations call the Pike/Pine neighborhood home!

Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs interim director Randy Engstrom welcomes the crowd.

Mayor McGinn accepts the “Top 12 ArtPlace” award from Carol Coletta, director of ArtPlace

Velocity Dance Center’s executive & artistic director Tonya Lockyer talks about Velocity’s home in the Pike/Pine Corridor and moving buildings several years ago. It was a priority for Velocity to stay on Capitol Hill.

After the press conference, the group took a walking tour of Capitol Hill. Here they are stopped in front of the Oddfellows Building.

Next stop, World Famous, an internationally known creative firm. The last stop on the tour was at Neumo’s.