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Seattle comes together to celebrate people on the front lines in #MakeAJoyfulNoise

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Let’s make some noise Seattle! Seattle’s cultural community in
association with the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (City of Seattle) encourages residents to participate in a civic wide celebration of people on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Here’s a Twitter Moment, collecting some of the noise you all made on March 26, 2020.

Starting 8 p.m. sharp Thursday evening, we’re asking Seattleites to join a movement that began in European countries, opening our windows, standing on our balconies, from our front yards, backyards and or anywhere you can to make a joyful noise letting the healthcare and front line workers know how much we appreciate them. People can clap their hands, raise their voices, bang some pots and pans to show solidarity and let the front line know how much they are appreciated.

The message is simple #MakeAJoyfulNoise asks us to:

  • Applaud our healthcare workers
  • Celebrate those on the front lines
  • Make a joyful noise at 8 p.m. any night you choose for as long as you want

We are doing this to celebrate the front lines, which include grocery store workers, supply chain specialists, janitors, Fire, Police, nurses and doctors and health care workers, sanitary workers, and so many more. We’d also like to bring some cheer to these dreary days in Seattle.

So please join us and plant a little joy in everyone’s life this spring. Take a picture, make a video and post #MakeAJoyfulNoise as well as #SeattleTogether

Photos by Tim Durkan (used with permission)
Graphic and logo by Billie WildrickRally of Support by Seattle’s Cultural Community organized by Mark Siano

City of Seattle to Provide Immediate Rent Relief for Nonprofit and Small Business Tenants

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City to Provide $400,000 in Rent Relief to an Estimated 90 Arts and Cultural Nonprofits, Small Businesses, and Artist Studios that Rent City-Owned Property, including Seattle Center

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today that the City of Seattle will provide $400,000 in rent relief to arts and cultural and other nonprofits, small businesses, and artists’ studios that are located on City-owned facilities. An estimated 90 tenants on the Seattle Center grounds and on Parks and Recreation facilities will receive immediate financial relief in the form of rent waivers or rent deferment for April and May.

“Earlier this week, we announced an eviction moratorium to help our small businesses and nonprofits retain their livelihoods and a first-of-its-kind Arts Recovery Package. We’re building on that work by providing immediate financial relief for renters of City-owned facilities,” said Mayor Durkan. “We know that the economic impacts on our small businesses, nonprofits, and cultural community will be devastating and that many might not be able to pay rent for weeks and months to come. I urge property owners throughout the City to adopt this practice immediately if they’re able to. Now more than ever, we must be compassionate with one another, and look after each other during this unprecedented time.”

“These nonprofits and the artists they employ provide a cultural salve our city desperately needs in this time of emergency,” said Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis (District 7 – Pioneer Square to Magnolia). “I am proud to work with the Mayor and my Council colleagues to ensure that this important part of Seattle will still be here when this crisis is over.”

“Providing rent relief for our nonprofit partners and small businesses in City-owned buildings will allow them to continue to do their important work serving our community during this uncertain time. Our nonprofit human service providers are on the front lines, serving vulnerable communities who are most impacted by the coronavirus, and small businesses keep our local economy strong. Together, with the workers who keep them running, they make up the fabric of our community and we must protect them.” said Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide).

While rent arrangements vary across City-owned facilities, the City will provide rent relief in the equivalent of two months. For nonprofit organizations and renters with artist studio licenses, including Seattle Children’s Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Cascade Bicycle Club, the relief is in the form of rent forgiveness. For businesses including Arena Sports, Marination Station, and vendors in the Armory their rent will be deferred.

The City of Seattle is committed to providing immediate relief for small businesses and arts and cultural and other nonprofit organizations financially impacted by COVID-19. Through this initiative, the City will work with organizations and businesses on an individual basis to develop longer-term responses. The City will be looking at all components of rent arrangements including cash, public benefit, in-kind and capital investment rent.

“The far-reaching impacts of COVID-19 have devastated the arts organizations and businesses that reside at Seattle Center, and this has been felt by the thousands of people who work on the grounds and broader communities they serve. We are so pleased to be able to offer this critical support and essential lifeline for our resident tenants,” said Seattle Center director Robert Nellams.

“Due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in our community, we estimate that Seattle Children’s Theatre will lose at least $1 million in operating revenue through the end of May 2020. The cancellation of our Drama School, public performances, and state-wide Arts-Based Learning Program means lost work for Teaching Artists, Actors, Designers, Theatre Technicians and so many more. The forgiveness of rent during this challenging time allows SCT to retain more staff, keeping more people employed, offering some peace of mind and giving teams the opportunity to focus on reimagining the presentation and delivery of our programs. It is through the ongoing support of the City and our community that we will remain an unparalleled resource for young people and their families—something we are proud to provide now more than ever,” said Kevin Malgesini, Seattle Children’s Theatre managing director.

“These arts and cultural organizations and small businesses make the unique fabric of this city a place we all want to call home. We are doing everything we can to ensure that they will still be here when this crisis is over and we can celebrate once again this incredible city,” said Seattle Office of Arts & Culture director Randy Engstrom.

“Our parks and recreation tenants are our partners in extending our recreation offerings in diverse, innovative, and accessible ways. I am pleased that the City will be able to offer this critical support to these partners at such a challenging time for our city,” said Seattle Parks and Recreation superintendent Jesús Aguirre.

Mayor Durkan and the City of Seattle have worked to implement a series of actions that support artists, nonprofits, small business, and workers, including:  

In addition, she continues to advocate for a comprehensive small business and worker relief package from Congress to provide immediate and lasting relief to Seattle communities impacted by COVID-19, and the City is working quickly to scale new programs. The City has created a comprehensive resource page for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

SURVEY: What is the Economic Impact of COVID-19?

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Black people sawing and drilling wood.
Carpenters, Jacob Lawrence, 1977, Seattle City Light 1% for Art funds

A survey just opened today to help determine the economic impact of COVID-19 on businesses and nonprofits in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.

Button: Take the Survey

Created by the City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Impact Survey will inform recovery efforts and aid for nonprofits, small businesses, and the arts and cultural sector.

“We know our arts and cultural sector is hurting and we are doing everything we can to help them through this crisis. We rise and fall together, which is why it’s so important that we are all counted and included in this regional economic recovery effort.”

Randy Engstrom, Director, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

“The Survey results will be critical to maximize state and federal support and direct local resources to save jobs and get back to business as soon as possible. We urge all businesses and non-profits organizations in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to share their economic impacts so we can quickly and effectively request emergency funding.”

Brian P. McGowan, CEO, Greater Seattle Partners

Learn more in this press release from the Seattle Office of Economic Development.

Please note: even if you’ve already filled out the surveys from Arts Fund and Artist Trust, please also fill this one out.

Artists and Creative Workers Relief Funding

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Black and white photo of a woman wearing an apron standing in a Latino market. A piñata hangs overhead.
Lone Star Market, Allison Corona, Seattle Public Utilities 1% for Art

Focusing on individual artists and creative workers, this is the first of two parts in the City of Seattle’s Arts Recovery Package. The second part focuses on arts and cultural organizations. Learn more about the whole Arts Recovery Package, including organizational support.

For Individual Artists and Creative Workers

Seattle Relief Fund is aimed at helping those in the greater Seattle arts community who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19. Depending on funding levels and amount of requests, priority may be given to artists from communities that have been historically and systemically economically disadvantaged in the Seattle Area: BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists – but we will try to help as many artists with need in Seattle as we can. If you are an artist in need of funds, click here to take our survey and apply for relief.

Button: Apply For Relief

Seattle Relief Fund was started by Ijeoma Oluo, a Seattle-based artist, after several of her speaking events got canceled, she decided to start this fundraiser to help artists in Seattle whose events are also being canceled and are in need of relief. LANGSTON is providing administrative support and is part of the oversight committee for the funds.

Artist Trust’s COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund provides rapid response grants supporting the critical needs of artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19. These unrestricted cash grants are intended to support working artists with:

  • Lost wages and earnings;
  • Loss from event, performance, and conference cancellations and school / community-based education closures
  • Reimbursement for travel loss
  • Rent and mortgage payments, food, utilities, and other living expenses
  • Medical expenses

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and selected weekly. Grants range from $500-5K based on artists’ needs.

Eligibility

  • Individual artists living in Washington State (companies, curators, nonprofits, organizations, community groups, ensembles, producers, & collectives are not eligible)
  • 18 years of age or older

Mayor Durkan Announces Initial $1.1 Million Arts Recovery Package to Support Creative Workers and Arts and Cultural Organizations Impacted by COVID-19

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NEWS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

Contact: Kelsey Nyland, Kelsey.Nyland@seattle.gov

Building on the City’s initial measures to provide financial relief for small businesses, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced $1.1 million in City of Seattle funding to invest directly in creative workers and arts and cultural organizations financially impacted by COVID-19. The investment is a combination of funding strategies designed to help the arts and culture sector through direct grants to organizations and creative workers most impacted by this crisis.

The Mayor’s Arts Recovery Package is composed of two key initiatives:

  1. $100,000 in immediate relief for artists and creative workers;
  2. $1 million Arts Stabilization Fund to invest in arts and cultural organizations to help mitigate revenue losses due to the moratorium on events and public gatherings;

“Our creative industries are the heartbeat of Seattle, and we know that organizations and workers in this sector have been devastated by this crisis,” said Mayor Durkan. “With the Arts Recovery Package, we’re investing directly in our most vulnerable arts and cultural organizations, artists, and creative workers, and we are doing everything possible to keep them afloat during this unprecedented moment in history. Arts and culture are woven into the fabric of our city, and we are evaluating robust actions that we can continue to take at the City in partnership with community leaders.”

“Seattle wouldn’t be the city it is today without its musicians, artists, performers and cultural institutions. I want to thank the community for coming together to organize creative solutions during this crisis. By the City contributing $50,000 to the Seattle Artists Relief Fund, which was started by artists for fellow artists, we recognize the best ideas on how to help community come from community,” said Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2, South Seattle and the CID), current chair of the Council’s Arts Committee.

“Many artists support themselves through gig work and may not be eligible for protections offered to employees. The performance aspect of their art requires public gatherings, which have been prohibited and artists are organizing to support themselves.  I’m proud that the City is stepping up to provide relief for artists and cultural organizations, as we cannot lose our important art institutions during this crisis and must retain those cultural spaces for the future,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle and South Park), the Council’s former Arts Committee chair.

“Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Office of Arts & Culture are implementing immediate relief to our arts and culture sector who have been incredibly hard hit due to COVID-19. By partnering with local organizations, individuals and philanthropies we can expand our financial impact and provide immediate assistance to our cultural organizations and individuals. Arts and culture are the heart and soul of our city and we are committed to doing everything we can to support them during this unprecedented time,” said Randy Engstrom, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Director.

Individual artist and creative workers support

The City will invest $100,000 to provide immediate relief for artists and creative workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City’s Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) will invest $50,000 in the Seattle Artist Relief Fund, founded by Seattle author Ijeoma Oluo, which will bring the total current funding to $187,150. In addition, ARTS will invest another $50,000 in Artist Trust’s COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund, which provides rapid response grants supporting the critical needs of artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic.

Arts Stabilization Fund: The City will also invest $1 million in over 200 arts and cultural organizations through the new Arts Stabilization Fund. The focus of the funding will be on arts and cultural organizations that have been impacted by the moratorium on events and public gatherings. These organizations rely on ticket sales, attendance and fundraising efforts. The recent and necessary actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from State of Washington and Public Health – Seattle & King County have greatly impacted the arts and culture sector. Funds have been distributed through the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture’s grant programs, and have been directed to current cultural partners. No application was required and funds have already been allocated.

Over the past week, Mayor Durkan has implemented a series of actions including, deferring utility payments and a temporary moratorium on residential evictions, to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19. For small businesses, she announced a relief package that included deferred business taxes and a stabilization fund. She continues to advocate for a comprehensive small business and worker relief package from Congress to provide immediate and lasting relief to Seattle communities impacted by COVID-19, and the City is working quickly to scale new programs.

The City has created a comprehensive resource page for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Responding to COVID-19

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The Office of Arts & Culture and the entire City of Seattle are working round-the-clock to help our communities stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been several announcements this week from the City, County, and State, and we want to make sure you have the most up-to-date information and public health guidance. 

Earlier this week, the State and County announced new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including a prohibition of events with more than 250 people, and a prohibition on events with less than 250 people, if they don’t meet public health guidance on social distancing and hygiene. Researchers are estimating that there are 1,100 active COVID-19 infections in our region. By early April, the region may see 25,000 people infected if no actions are taken.

In accordance with that Public Health guidance, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the City of Seattle will temporarily rescind permits for City-approved events. These include permits for farmers’ markets, cultural events, and street and sidewalk events like block parties and birthday parties. The rescinding of permits for public events will continue until at least April 13, 2020.  

We recognize that this will have a huge impact on our cultural community and we are committed to doing everything we can to share current information as it becomes available, and provide immediate resources for arts and cultural organizations, community and neighborhood groups, and individual artists. 

Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) released updated public health guidance and recommendations for businesses including retail and restaurants, workplaces, and schools. You can find that guidance below.

New limits on large gatherings, other emergency strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 
(March 11, 2019 – Public Health Insider Blog) 

Business Preparedness and Planning for COVID-19 

The Office of Arts & Culture and other City departments are exploring ways to re-allocate funding resources and leveraging our partnerships with regional philanthropists. We will have more information on that in the coming days. 

This is the beginning of a marathon, not a sprint, and we thank you all for your patience as we take these measures to keep our community safe. This outbreak may be one of the most transformative and consequential events that our region and our country will experience in a very long time. Seattle has come back from the crisis before, and we know that our creative and cultural community are the ones who will open our doors and restore the heart and the economy of our City. 

More information about the new recommendations, mitigation efforts, and ways we can support will be coming in the following days. If you have immediate questions and concerns please contact ARTS at  or arts.culture@seattle.gov 

For up-to-date Public Health – Seattle & King County guidance, visit kingcounty.gov/covid. 

Sincerely,

Randy Engstrom
Director, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Seattle Office of Arts & Culture hosts COVID-19 Webinar

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Tuesday, March 17 at 2:30 – 3:30pm
COVID-19 Webinar for Artists and Arts & Cultural Organizations
A recording of the webinar is above.

Agenda

See below for time codes in the video so you can jump to the section most relevant to you:

  • Welcome
  • Land acknowledgement, Randy Engstrom – 00:47
  • Overview – 3:59
  • Poem, Kathy Hsieh – 9:13
  • Public Health Guidance, Kate Becker – 11:18
  • Small business resource, Unemployment benefits, Utility relief, Domonique Meeks – 21:20
  • Direct artist support, Ijeoma Olua – 25:56
  • Direct artist support from Artist Trust, Brian McGuigan – 31:52
  • Rent relief, Matthew Richter – 36:17
  • Frame setting, Randy Engstrom – 39:35
  • Funding from Seattle Foundation, Jonathan Cunningham – 41:13
  • Organizational funding, Kathy Hsieh – 49:06
  • Q&A – 53:04
  • Additional City of Seattle resources – 56:11

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) hosted a webinar for arts and cultural organizations and individual artists to share information and resources from the City, the State and Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) regarding COVID-19.

ARTS knows that the entire region and especially the arts and cultural community are reeling right now. While the situation is evolving daily, we want to get information out to our community and sector that will help you understand the current situation, what resources are available, and hear from you on what your most urgent and pressing needs are. These are truly extraordinary times, but what gives all of us hope is that we know the ingenuity and resourcefulness of this sector will prevail.

Presenters

  • Randy Engstrom, Director, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
  • Kate Becker, King County Creative Economy Strategist
  • Domonique Meeks, Small Business Team, Seattle Office of Economic Development
  • Ijeoma Olua, Seattle Artists Relief Fund Amid COVID-19
  • Brian McGuigan, Artist Trust
  • Matthew Richter, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
  • Jonathan Cunningham, Seattle Foundation
  • Kathy Hsieh, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
  • Jourdan Keith, Seattle Civic Poet (unable to read because of technical difficulties, but see below for her poems)

In addition to the above, Andrés Mantilla, Director, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Manny Cawaling, Executive Director, Inspire Washington, and Chris Swensen, Acting Director, Seattle Office of Film + Music, will be available for Q&A afterwards.

This is a quickly evolving situation and we will do our best to provide information and answers as much as we are able. We will also be collecting requests; your elevation of particular issues will help us prioritize policy and resources.

Thank you to our partners for helping pull this together: Artist Trust, Artists Up, ArtsFund, ArtsWA, Seattle Arts Commission, Theatre Puget Sound, Visit Seattle.

Poems from the Seattle Civic Poet

the sound of seeds

by Jourdan Imani Keith Ⓟ

listening to the same CD
over and over again
the sound of silver
spinning notes into the cooled office air
is the closest thing I can find
to ocean now.

repetition is necessary for safety
the waves laughing and breaking at
regular intervals hush
the sound of sand being pulled under.

life always comes in pairs.
two by two, joy and disaster. Maybe disaster isn’t.
we are just not use to the sound of seeds breaking.

death puts our ears so close to the soil.
the brown earth has gotten rich with the bodies and bones
of eyes that hunted through the night
before regurgitating sound into the stars.

Gravity has so many meanings, without it my feet would not make it to your door.

AND NOW THIS…

by Jourdan Imani Keith Ⓟ

that walk you’ve been meaning to take
that call you’ve been waiting to make
when was the last time you heard their voice?
that project in the drawer, the buttons, the beads, the paper, the saw
that prayer you’ve thought of praying
that guitar you’ve been wanting to play
that lover you need to talk with
that neighbor you’ve seen but not greeted
and what you do not want,
the questions you have asked yourself but not answered—
why have you been keeping those papers?
why is your peanut sauce not quite right?
why is your sweater on your rowing machine?
and your feet
haven’t they missed the view of the lake
and too many sunsets?
and now this…
all this this time to love
what matters to you
and now this…

Solomon and Rumi Walk Into a Bar

Seattle, March 16, 2020

by Jourdan Imani Keith Ⓟ

Solomon Says
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Rumi Responds
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about.

Update: Grant Funding and Invoices

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Acrylic painting of a mischievous face peeking out from a cloud, brown arms extend outward all around it. Two of them hold little, fuzzy, white creatures.
Mantle of the Misty Cloud, Vikram Madan, 2017

All of us at the Office of Arts & Culture are with you during this difficult time and know that many of you are facing challenging decisions about cancellations, postponements, and closures that impact the incredible work you do serving your missions and communities.

Please be assured that your awarded grant funding is secure. We will work with you on options if you need to offer your funded program, project, or service virtually or in a different format than originally planned. Our Program Managers are also working to adjust timelines and some requirements for requesting awarded grant funding. Please contact your Program Manager to explore available options:

Unsure who to your Program Manager is? Please contact us at arts.culture@seattle.gov or 206.684.7171 and we’ll help connect you with your Program Manager.

Our Program Managers are currently receiving a high volume of inquiries and requests, and many are working remotely, but they will respond to messages and calls as quickly as they’re able.

Thank you for the role each of you plays in uplifting and bringing community together: we appreciate you and the essential work you do!

Resources for Artists and Organizations Amid COVID-19

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Acrylic painting of five older women, all wearing babushkas, sitting on a child's carousel in a playground.
Carousel, Tatyana Ostapenko, 2018, Seattle Public Utilities 1% for Art

Artists and arts organizations are being deeply impacted by efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture staff have compiled a resource guide to assist and support the creative and cultural community during this challenging time.

UPDATED LINK: Our list of Resources for Artists and Organizations Amid COVID-19 includes helpful links and information about:

  • Upcoming webinars
  • Fundraising
  • Emergency grants
  • Employer & worker assistance programs
  • Operations & business support
  • Business closures
  • Virtual arts and cultural experiences.

Staff is continuing to build on this list, and we recommend checking back often as new resources are added.

Have a resource you’d like added to the list? Please send information, including the host/sponsor, a brief description, link, and dates (if relevant), to arts.culture@seattle.gov. Thank you for your contributions to this resource guide!

The city of Seattle to Temporarily Close ARTS at King Street Station, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute to Public to Prevent Further Spread of COVID-19

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ARTS at King Street Station and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute closed, March 13 - April 13

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan has announced additional steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Researchers are estimating that there are 1,100 active COVID-19 infections in our region. By early April, the region may see 25,000 people infected if no actions are taken. To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, the Office of Arts & Culture will close ARTS at King Street Station and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute to the public. All programming, rentals, and events at both locations are canceled.  All closures will take effect at 6 p.m. today, March 13, and will last until at least April 13. The City will be in continuous contact with public health officials to evaluate our facilities beyond this timeline.

This announcement follows the State and County’s new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including a prohibition of events with more than 250 people, and a prohibition on events with less than 250 people if they don’t meet public health guidance on social distancing and hygiene, and the City’s decision to temporarily close Seattle Public Library locations and community centers.

The Office of Arts & Culture continues to provide support for local arts organizations and artists through our grants, creative youth, cultural space, and public art programs. Staff will continue working during the temporary closures of ARTS at King Street Station and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and remain available to respond to email and phone inquiries from the public.

The City of Seattle is working to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our region. For up-to-date Public Health – Seattle & King County guidance, visit kingcounty.gov/covid.