Gülgün Kayim joined our staff as director in July 2023 and concluded her role in January 2026. Here are some words of appreciation and gratitude from our staff:

Gülgün, you brought your respectful “Yes, and…” willingness to listen and collaborate. You helped build bridges between people and ideas. I’m so grateful for your kindness, generosity and strategic thinking.

– Tina 

You helped shape our team culture in ways that set both us and the community up for success.

– Lovell

Although
You depart
Your brilliance remains

– Alex

Gülgün, you provided a historic level of support for Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute which hasn’t been seen in decades. Your investment won’t be forgotten because you left your mark on our ability to serve the community and support our partners.

– Sandra

Hello Gülgün. It has been a privilege and pleasure working with you. I’m most appreciative of all the support you provided. You elevated the OAC office and made it a great place to work. You will be greatly missed. Wishing you all the best.

– Steven

Gülgün, I appreciate how down-to-earth and caring you are as a leader plus how you showed up as a community and staff-centered ally. You led with grace during a moment that needed it the most. Whatever the situation, whenever there were lemons, you knew the best recipe to make lemonade, adding the right amount of leadership ingredients to create a refreshing experience.

I will always remember the illuminating arts and culture-related tour you gave after the first day of the Grantmakers in the Arts conference in Minneapolis last year. Your deep investment and passion for the arts and how it intersects with race and social justice is truly inspiring. Getting to dream alongside you to support staff and the community the last two years has been a beautiful experience–seeing how our collective light has let the department grow its colorful petals. Deep thanks for being a game-changer leader for me, OAC, and the City, and in such a pivotal, short time.

– Zach

You made OAC a better place. ❤️

– Kate

GG, thank you for everything. You gave me hope when I hadn’t had any for years, security, and brought joy back to me in my job. You will be truly missed.

– Flossie

Great leader.
We thank you.
You helped staff feel seen.
You cultivated joy and belonging when we needed it most.

– Virginia

Gülgün, truly inspirational leaders are a rare gem, and I am so grateful to have worked with you. Thank you for creating the division that I now call home and for setting me on the creative placemaking path. You inspired me in my work and showed us new horizons for the ways in which the arts can benefit community. Your influence will continue to inspire me. I am also incredibly grateful for the way you paired your vision and determination with such deep humanity. Your care for staff built such camaraderie; you renewed our sense of purpose and hope for the arts in our city. Thank you for bringing daring, vision, and so much incredible expertise to our office. Thank you for your incredible service to our city and our office. It was an honor to serve under you.

– James

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such an incredible collaborator. Your leadership fostered a positive and generous work environment. Your care for the Arts & Culture Districts, and the people within them, was always evident. Thank you for being so open with your time, knowledge, and support. It’s been a true pleasure learning from you and your impact will stay with me for life.

– Pinky

Gülgün, you brought so much joy to our office through your leadership, care, and commitment to recreating recipes from The Great British Bake Off. We were lucky beneficiaries of your experiments, successes, and very impressive bakes. Your kindness, generosity, and legendary treats will be deeply missed.

– Caitlin

I would like to thank you for your service to the Office of Arts & Culture and to the communities that make up Seattle. In your time as director, you led with humanity, giving full support to OAC staff, and centering communities making them feel heard and valued.

– Jason

Gülgün, surprising accomplishment, in such short time, cut short by surprise. I honestly feel a bit robbed from having your presence, yet lucky to have had it. Live Long & Prosper, May the Force Be With You! For real.

– Ari

wrung out
emotions
I just want to cry

– Otts

Thank you for trusting each and every staff person at OAC to do what we each do best. You were an amazing leader to work with!

– Allie L.

Gülgün, tüm emeklerin için minnettarız. [We are grateful for all your work/contributions.] Thank you for your compassionate and visionary leadership, your nourishment and encouragement. Working together was a gift, dancing together is still a dream!

– Rana