City of Music Career Day Returns Virtually on August 27

August 16, 2021 by April Jingco Leave a Comment

Registration now is open for this free virtual event for teens and young adults ages 13-26 interested in turning their passion for music into a career.

City of Music Career Day connects teens and young adults ages 13-26 to music industry professionals through networking opportunities, experiential learning, engaging workshops, a special performance by local artist NËSTRÄ, and a virtual table fair with internship opportunities. This year, City of Music Career Day is returning virtually on Friday, August 27, from 3-5:30 p.m.

Now in its ninth year, City of Music Career Day is created in partnership with the Seattle Music Commission, the Office of Economic Development, and the Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) to support and grow the creative economy by promoting workforce development in the music industry. This event is also supported by Connors & Co., KEXP, the Museum of Pop Culture, and The Vera Project to foster opportunities in the creative community.

Our goal is to encourage students and non-students who have demonstrated a passion for music to follow their dreams, expand their understanding of career paths in the music industry, and network with industry leaders and peers to facilitate possible career opportunities.

“Music is one of very few human endeavors that can be shared across generations. For me, being able to impart musical information and wisdom to younger musicians is a constant source of inspiration, furthering my own personal growth while helping others on the path to achieve their musical goals.”
Jovino Santos Neto, three-time Latin Grammy nominated artist and City of Music Career Day mentor

Participants will be exposed to a wide range of music-related careers, including performance, management, production, licensing, broadcasting, composition, concert production, and more. Alongside engaging panels, attendees will be able to network with industry mentors in small groups. The virtual table fair will also feature a wide variety of internship and volunteer opportunities with organizations including the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) and Climate Pledge Arena.

City of Music Career Day Featured Panels:

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Hear from Seattle-area rapper Travis Thompson and members of his team — Shelton Harris (manager), Elan Wright and Nima Skeemz (producers, Ruby Room) — on how collaboration can take talent to new heights.
Finding Community While Developing Your Craft: Alumni from local music programs — Joshua Limanjaya Lim (More Music @ The Moore), Frankie Barker (The Vera Project) and Sharmaine Tillmon (The Residency) — discuss key lessons learned, connections made and other ways these programs have helped them launch their careers in music. Moderated by Daniel Pak (Totem Star).
Music on Screen: Find out who is behind the music that is composed and curated for film, TV, video games and other media. Featuring composer Andrew Joslyn and music licensing pro Sarah Hunt (Audiosocket).
Putting on the Show: Go behind the scenes of venues, festivals and event production. Learn about the various roles, how talent gets booked and what has changed due to COVID-19. Led by Jazmyn Scott (LANGSTON), in conversation with Evan Johnson (Neumos, Capitol Hill Block Party), JJ Johnson (The Vera Project) and Janice Jimenez (Climate Pledge Arena).

The virtual table fair will feature a wide variety of internship and volunteer opportunities that offer participants direct access to the music industry.

Register now for City of Music Career Day, taking place virtually on Friday, August 27, from 3-5:30 p.m. Early registration is encouraged.

Facebook Event Page

A Look Back at the Created Commons Launch During The City’s Welcome Back Weeks

August 9, 2021 by April Jingco Leave a Comment

ARTS’ new program, Created Commons, recently launched as a part of the City of Seattle’s Welcome Back Weeks. Spanning two weekends from July 12 – 26, the Welcome Back Weeks celebrated the return of our community to downtown Seattle with large-scale Created Commons events in three neighborhoods — the Chinatown-International District, Pioneer Square, and Westlake. Welcome Back Weeks are a key element of the City’s  Road to Downtown Recovery plan, which works to bring workers, small businesses, and visitors back downtown.

Take a look at some of the highlights from the festivities:

Welcome Back to the Chinatown-International District

On July 17 and 18, Hing Hay Park came to life with vibrant arts and culture celebrating the beauty of the Chinatown-International District.

Featured programming included:

The Chinese Association presenting a drill team, martial arts demo, and lion dance
Chrysalis Circus
Massive Monkees
Daniel Pak
Totem Star artists FRESA, Kiddus Fecto; Grae Violett, Lily Indigo, and Yung Fuego
Guma’ Gela’
Chong the Nomad
Bleachbear; Guma’ Gela’
Evan Flory Barnes
Hollis

Plus all-day activities and pop-ups such as Party Hat Gallery’s screen printing station featuring artwork by Stevie Shao, a self-defense class, and a vaccine pop-up with the Seattle Fire Department.

“I personally didn’t realize how much the Welcome Back Week shows would impact me as an artist until I was on stage at Hing Hay Park looking out into the crowd as I started my first song, realizing I would be singing songs for my family and my community. [It was my] first time onstage since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.
Special thanks to Jenny Ku at ARTS for championing youth voice and culture, as she advocated strongly to get youth artists on the stages at Hing Hay, Occidental, and Westlake. Witnessing Totem Star artists bring so much love and joy to the community shows us how far we’ve come and also where we need to go to ensure that young people have a platform to share their stories and perspectives as the future cultural leaders of Seattle.”
Daniel Pak, artist and Executive Director of Totem Star

Bleachbear by Sheri Foreman for Ballard Vox

“The Created Commons event was amazing! Hing Hay Park was full of people excited to be back together enjoying shows and we were one of them. It felt wonderful to be up on the stage again. In fact, after such a long hiatus from playing live shows during the pandemic, we were probably more pumped to be playing a show than any time we could remember! While it felt new in ways, it was also comfortable and familiar, and it just felt awesome to see familiar faces from past shows singing along with us. Pulling together events in City parks with local performers was a brilliant way to get the community connected again, and we were so glad to be a part of it.”
Bleachbear, artist

Welcome Back to Pioneer Square

On Saturday, July 24, we spent the afternoon in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, Pioneer Square. Occidental Square was buzzing with live music, local art, and community. Welcome Back to Pioneer Square featured performances by Totem Star artists Sharmaine and Haley Graves, Shenandoah Davis, Shaina Shepherd, and The Black Tones.

Plus, activities and pop-ups such as:

Live busking
Path With Art’s “Found Fashion Show” courtesy of Path With Art
Party Hat Party’s free screen printing booth highlighting artwork by Tariqa Waters
Seattle Fire Department’s Vaccine Pop-Up

Welcome Back to Westlake

Welcome Back Weeks came to a successful end at our last event in the heart of downtown Seattle, Westlake Park. Centering on the theme “Halloween in July,” Westlake was full of people in costumes, downtown businesses offering candy for trick-or-treating, and much more.

Program highlights included:

UP UP UP Inc.
Fraggle Rock Crew
SANCA Seattle Cirrus Circus
Taqueet$ Thriller Dance Class
El Vez, The Mexican Elvis
Teatro ZinZanni
Totem Star Artists Zoser, Mirabai Kukathas, and Delphine Elliott
Digable Planets

All day, audiences could also enjoy activities and pop-ups such as Lelavision, Party Hat Party’s free screen printing station with artist Brandon Vosika, a pop-up with Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, carnival games, a costume contest, food trucks, and a Seattle Fire Department vaccine pop-up.

Thaddeus Turner (Thaddillac) performing with Digable Planets by Sunny Martini

“What a way to give the communities hope through art — lots going on and changing faster. It was a nice break thanks to you and all the people that got down! It was fun, most importantly.”
Thaddeus Turner (Thaddillac), Co-Founder of Totem Star and Music Director for Digable Planets

We were thrilled to close out the Welcome Back Weeks festivities with the iconic hip-hop trio, Digable Planets! Westlake Park was filled to the brim with audiences anticipating their closing performance.

Over the two weeks, over 15,000 people visited downtown Seattle to participate in the three events. Highlights from the festivities include:

An estimated 5,700 people attended our three events: 2,000 at Hing Hay, 700 at Occidental Square, and 3,000 at Westlake Park
200 creative workers were hired with 90% of the City-hired creative workers identifying as women, LGBTQ+ and/or people of color
Vaccination were given to 52 new people, courtesy of the SFD vaccine pop-up
500 downtown small businesses were supported and involved, with 80% being owned by women and/or people of color

You can see more outcomes from the Welcome Back Weeks on the Downtown Recovery website.

Stay tuned as Created Commons partners with the Seattle Department of Transportation to bring you more unique arts experiences in neighborhoods such as Othello, Rainier Beach, Westwood, Pioneer Square, and the Chinatown-International District!

ARTS at King Street Station Reopens with ‘Close to Home’ Exhibit

July 20, 2021 by April Jingco Leave a Comment

ARTS at King Street Station is proud to announce its official reopening with the exhibit, Close to Home, on view from July 22 through August 14, 2021.

Created by 14 BIPOC artists, this exhibit showcases artworks that explore definitions of “home” using abstract and literal representations of their experiences of home and place.

About the Exhibit:

Close to Home challenges audiences to think intentionally about the idea of “home” through the use of paint, sculpture, quilting, and textural arts. The representations of “home” also span depictions of historical artifacts, to abstract illustrations, to what home might look like in the future.

While being some of the most vulnerable to forced migration and displacement, the 14 artists in Close to Home actively celebrate the resilience of people of color using nuanced understandings of place.

Close to Home asks viewers to actively engage with questions of what makes our homes distinct. Who gets to define what makes places important or meaningful? Where do we individually fit into community definitions of belonging? What does it look like to keep records and pay respect to our community members who have stewarded the land for generations? The 14 exhibiting artists’ practices grapple with these questions using ideas and physical objects that represent meaningful parts of their own homes and communities.

The exhibition also displays the range and growth of the City of Seattle’s Civic Art Collection, which includes pieces by instrumental Pacific Northwest artists. This exhibition consists of portable artworks in the City of Seattle’s Civic Art Collection, purchased between 2020 and 2021 in partnership with Seattle Together and Seattle City Light. Close to Home is organized and presented by ARTS (Office of Arts & Culture). The exhibition is curated by Ricky Reyes in partnership with the King Street Station Advisors. Support for the installation is provided by Benjamin Gale-Schreck and Blake Haygood.

**Metaphor of my mother**, missTANGQ, Mixed Media, 2018

Featured Artists:

Romson Regrade Bustillo
Ka’ila Farrell-Smith
Jonathan Wakuda Fischer
Hongzhe Liang /名媛
Micah Mccarty
missTANGQ
Miya Sukune
Earnest Swanson
Robert Running Fisher Upham
Markel Uriu
Gwen Maxwell Williams
Jennifer Angaiak Wood
Crystal Worl
Junko Yamamoto

Close to Home is on view at ARTS at King Street Station, Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm, from July 22 through August 14, 2021. For your safety, and that of our staff, visitors must wear a face covering while inside ARTS at King Street Station.

Created Commons Initiative Launches During Seattle’s Welcome Back Weeks

July 16, 2021 by April Jingco Leave a Comment

ARTS’ new program, Created Commons, launches as a part of the City of Seattle’s Welcome Back Weeks, July 12 – 26. In partnership with the Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Parks and Recreation, ARTS’ new Created Commons initiative transforms outdoor spaces across Seattle into venues for spectacular temporary arts and cultural extravaganzas. The program will kick-off as part of the Welcome Back Weeks festivities featuring three large-scale events throughout downtown Seattle.

Experience local artists and creatives as they revamp our streets, parks, and plazas into once-in-a-lifetime summer events featuring live music, dance, performance, public art installations, and interactive activities. Bring your family, loved ones, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and pets to join outdoor festivities celebrating the strength of our community.

Kicking Off Welcome Back Weeks

Created Commons has teamed up with the City’s Welcome Back Weeks to bring you dazzling events in Chinatown-International District, Pioneer Square, and Westlake. Each site will feature unique programming blending sensory musical and performative arts by hometown favorites like Hollis, Massive Monkees, the Black Tones, Chong the Nomad, Party Hat Gallery, Totem Star, and many more!

The full schedule can be found below:

Welcome Back to the Chinatown-International District

When: Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18, 11am – 7pm
Where: Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/501602897797226/
FREE

Saturday, July 17:
– 11am: Chinese Association, Drill Team, Martial Art Demo
– 12:15pm: Chrysalis Circus
– 1pm: Massive Monkees
– 2pm: Daniel Pak & Totem Star (FRESA and Kiddus Fecto)
– 3pm: Guma’ Gela’
– 4pm: Chrysalis Circus
– 6pm: Chong the Nomad
– Activities & Pop-Ups: Free screen printing from Party Hat Gallery, Self Defense Class, SFD Vaccine Pop-Up

Sunday, July 18:
– 11am: Lion Dance
– 12pm: Totem Star (Grae Violett, Lily Indigo, and Yung Fuego)
– 1pm: Chrysalis Circus
– 1:45pm: Bleachbear
– 3pm: Guma’ Gela’
– 3:30pm: Chrysalis Circus
– 4pm: Evan Flory Barnes
– 6pm: Hollis
– Activities & Pop-Ups: Free screen printing from Party Hat Gallery, Self Defense Class, SFD Vaccine Pop-Up

Welcome Back to Pioneer Square

When: Saturday, July 24, 10:30am – 3pm
Where: Occidental Square, 117 S Washington St, Seattle, WA 98104
Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/794228654626124/
FREE

– 10:30am: Busking
– 11:30pm: Totem Star (Sharmaine and Haley Graves)
– 12pm: Shenandoah Davis
– 1pm: Shaina Shepherd
– 2pm: The Black Tones
– Activities & Pop-Ups: Pasquale Santos, Guma’ Gela’, ‘Found Fashion’ Exhibition with Path with Art, Party Hat Gallery, Vaccine Pop-Up

Welcome Back to Westlake

When: Sunday, July 25, 12 – 9pm.
Where: Westlake Park, 401 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/182243897197246/
FREE

Enjoy “Halloween in July” festivities featuring live performances from local artists, fresh eats from food trucks, trick-or-treating, and a special surprise sunset concert with the one and only Digable Planets!

12 – 4pm: Trick-or-Treating
12pm: UP UP UP Inc.
1pm: Fraggle Rock Crew
1:45pm: SANCA Seattle Cirrus Circus
2pm Taqueet$ Thriller Dance Class
2:15pm: El Vez, The Mexican Elvis
3:30pm: Teatro ZinZanni
4pm: Costume Awards
4:30pm: Totem Star (ZoserOfficial and Mirabai Kukathas)
8pm: Sunset Headliner – Digable Planets
Activities & Pop-Ups: lelavision, Costume Contest, Face Painting, free screen printing from Party Hat Gallery, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, Stilt Walkers, Carnival Games, Food Trucks, Vaccine Pop-Up
See you there!

There’s no better way to end our #WelcomeBackSeattle events than with a special performance by renowned hip hop trio, Digable Planets! Join the festivities at Westlake Park from 12 – 9 pm and stay tuned as Digable Planets hit the stage at 8 p.m.

You can learn more about the Welcome Back Weeks here: https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19/recovery

Created Commons Neighborhood Edition

Created Commons is partnering with the Seattle Department of Transportation to bring you unique sensory experiences in public space blending temporary public art installations, music, dance, and interactive activities all curated by local artists and collectives like Tariqa Waters of Martyr Sauce, Northwest Tap Connection, Monyee Chau, DK Pan, Guma Gela, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, La Sala, LelaVision, and more. Neighborhood locations include Othello, Rainier Beach, Westwood, Pioneer Square, and Chinatown-International District.

The Formation of Created Commons as a Response to COVID-19

With COVID-19’s devastating impacts on Seattle’s economy—specifically, Seattle’s arts and culture sector—ARTS partnered with the Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Parks & Recreation to create more opportunities for artists. Building on the momentum of Stay Healthy Streets, Stay Healthy Blocks, and Safe Starts Permits for outdoor dining and retail; Created Commons was formed to bring cultural and artistic activation to Seattle’s streets, sidewalks, plazas, and parks.

Modeled after New York City’s Open Culture program, Created Commons transforms outdoor space across Seattle into venues for temporary visual and performance art. Seattle’s Created Commons program will employ artists throughout the summer and fall months of 2021 to enliven public space for community resiliency and economic recovery. This program is a central workforce development strategy to the economic and civic recovery our City needs to rebuild by centering collective well-being, mental health, and employing cultural workers. All programming will follow King County Public Health (KCPH) guidelines.

New ‘UNION’ Art Exhibition Creates Opportunities for Public Art in Capitol Hill

July 13, 2021 by April Jingco 1 Comment

SeaLevel Properties (“SeaLevel”), Capitol Hill Arts District (“CHAD”), and Sensebellum have partnered to showcase public art in Capitol Hill through the ‘UNION’ project. Located on the corner of 10^th Ave. and E Union St., this new public art installation will feature a rotating, 60-foot tall projected art show curated by revolving guests on SeaLevel’s new Woodworth Apartment Building. The first art show will be held on Wednesday, July 14 at 9:45 p.m. and will continue every night at dusk throughout the year. Y ou can RSVP for this event on Facebook.

Woodworth Apartment Building, courtesy of The Capitol Hill Arts District

The first ‘UNION’ exhibition highlights local photographer and artist LeLeita McKILL. Selected by Capitol Hill Arts District, McKILL will display her photographs taken during the COVID-19 pandemic for Essentially Seattle, (originally commissioned by ARTS) along with her other work.

About Essentially Seattle:

Essentially Seattle is a Public Art Project featuring 25 artists who document essential city services in the time of COVID-19 and mandated restrictions on physical movement and gatherings. Partners for the project include Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light, Seattle Fire, Human Services Division, and Arts & Cultural districts. The photographs highlight City frontline employees, at work, along with community essential workers, artists, and neighbors.

Diana Adams, owner of Vermillion Gallery

As part of the inaugural exhibition celebrations, all are invited to join the CHAD Steering Committee Members and McKILL for an opening celebration at Optimism Brewing on Wednesday, July 14 at 8 p.m. The group will then walk a half-block away to witness the inaugural unveiling of the exhibition around 9:30 p.m.

The ‘UNION’ installation will rotate every two months, with the current curator joining a panel of artists to select the next artist. Stay tuned for future art shows!

The Mixer: New Media and Digital Arts – Next Steps and Funding Opportunities

July 13, 2021 by April Jingco Leave a Comment

To The Mixer Community,

Thank you to everyone who attended our June 30 Mixer on New Media and Digital Arts! From playing with the definition of “New Media” to touching on NFTs, accessibility, and the wild world of the future we are making today in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual (VR); we covered a lot of ground. We’re grateful to our panelists Abie Ekenezer, gome, Evie Powell, Julia Bruk, and Elizabeth Ralston — be sure to keep an eye on what they’re up to!

Snapshot from The Mixer: New Media and Digital Arts on June 30

At the June Mixer, we also launched the New Media and Digital Arts survey that will guide our team in making new policies to include New Media in our awards and granting structures. If you or someone you know are New Media artists or dabblers, please make sure they/you add their voice below. We want to hear from you!

Take the New Media and Digital Arts Survey

While we are still working on finding a path to encompass the wide array of art forms under the umbrella of New Media, hearing from the participants also illustrated that: 1) many of us are in that same boat, 2) interest in incorporating modern elements like streaming was high, and 3) more information would be useful all around.

Our internal working definition of New Media is: any expression that uses “dot com technology” on any axis other than exclusively marketing or distribution. How does that resonate with you?

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Here’s a round-up of funding opportunities that were shared at The Mixer — keep these in mind for your new media and digital arts projects in the works:

CURRENT:

Artists Up: Focus on underrepresented artists; apply for mentorship scholarships (four on-hour online sessions with a mentor).
- Application opens Sept. 1, 2021
smART Ventures: Up to $1k; funds personal or neighborhood projects; youth can apply.
- Applications accepted on a rolling deadline
Neighborhood Matching Fund (Department of Neighborhoods): $5k available, funds a variety of unique and creative community projects; applicants must match their award with contributions from the community whether as volunteer time, donated materials, donated professional services or cash. Details in this virtual workshop recording.
- Applications accepted on a rolling deadline
Open 4Culture (4Culture): Up to $1500; prioritizing projects within King County but NOT in Seattle (unless the project is heritage or preservation-based).
- Applications accepted on a rolling deadline
4Culture’s Round-U p of Other Opportunities: Various grants, calls and opportunities around the region and the country.

UPCOMING:

City Artist: $2k, $5k, $8k funding available; supporting specific, rotating disciplines each year.
- Applications open again in 2022
Arts in Parks: $1300-$7800; currently on pause, check back for future opportunities
Artists at the Center (working title): Performance activations on the Seattle Center campus, funded by Climate Pledge Arena/Seattle Kraken. Pilot starts October 2021.
- Open call for future years’ opportunities to come in 2022.
Public Art Roster: This roster of visual and public artists is used by the Office of Arts and Culture for various “fast track” projects. The roster is curated by a community selection panel that includes working artists, administrators and curators.
- Opens every 3 years — next in mid-2022.
King Street Station Artist in Residence: artists/artist teams may apply for a residency award at ARTS at King Street Station. Each residency period is approximately two months long, and includes use of the studio space and a $2,000 stipend. Artists from historically under-represented communities, including communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities are encouraged to apply.
- Applications open again in 2022.

Please help us gather as many voices as possible so that we can help grow into the office that we know we can be. Give us your feedback by filling out the survey by July 23, 2021!

P.S. The Mixer is taking a break for the summer and is scheduled to return on September 29. See you soon!

First permanent waterfront artwork installed yesterday at Pier 62

July 1, 2021 by Erika Lindsay Leave a Comment

Land Buoy Bells, artwork designed by Stephen Vitiello for the floating dock at Pier 62, was installed yesterday, June 30. This is the first of several permanent artworks that will be installed as part of Waterfront Seattle. Photos are available here.

Land Buoy Bells by Stephen Vitiello, photo courtesy Seattle Office of the Waterfront

“We are excited to announce the installation of Land Buoy Bells at Pier 62,” said Marshall Foster, Director of Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects. “This commission launches a program of permanent artworks that will be integrated into the Seattle waterfront to help tell the story of the environment and culture of this unique place.”

The sound-based installation, “five instruments performed by collected tidal energy,” uses the movement of the water rising and falling around the floating dock to strike five bell-like objects and create sounds that harmonize with their surroundings. Its goal is to integrate with the other sounds of the waterfront, including voices, the natural environment and industry.

“The Seattle waterfront is beautiful and ever-changing – misty, then sunny, then rainy. It inspired the idea of a piece that would be environmentally played, that would change with the weather and tides,” said Stephen Vitiello, creator of Land Buoy Bells and professor of Kinetic Imaging at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Visitors are encouraged to explore and listen to this artwork on the newly rebuilt Pier 62, a floating dock which opened to the public last September. There are nine other permanent art commissions included in the Seattle Waterfront art program that explores both the natural environment as well as the Indigenous roots of Seattle’s shoreline. There are seven artists from local tribes involved in art projects along the promenade and at the Overlook Walk. Among the artworks that will be installed in the next few years are those of Seattle artists Buster Simpson near the habitat beach, and Norie Sato, at the Union Street bridge. For more information about the Waterfront and the art program visit waterfrontseattle.org.

Land Buoy Bells was funded with Seattle Department of Transportation Alaskan Way Seawall Bond Measure 1% for Art funds and was administered by the Office of Arts & Culture and the Office of the Waterfront and Civic projects.

Beat the Heat: Stay Cool with The Arts

June 24, 2021 by April Jingco Leave a Comment

With the next few days bringing record-breaking heat to Seattle, we have put together a list of air-conditioned arts organizations you can visit to experience the vibrant arts and culture in our city all while staying cool!

Henry Art Gallery

Visiting Information: The Henry Art Gallery is open with free admission through October 1, 2021. Advance registration for timed tickets is encouraged. Beginning July 10, timed ticket reservations are no longer necessary. Plan your visit here.

Hours: Sat–Sun: 10am–5pm

Featured Showcase: 2020 – 2021 University of Washington MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition (May 29 – June 27)

The Henry is pleased to present the University of Washington’s School of Art + Art History + Design Master of Fine Arts and Master of Design thesis exhibition. Throughout their programs, fine arts and design students work with advisers and other artists to develop advanced techniques, expand concepts, discuss critical issues, and emerge with a vision and direction for their own work. This year’s presentation will include work by both 2020 and 2021 graduating students.

Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)

Visiting Information: MOHAI is offering free admission for all visitors under 15 years of age and the Museums For All and Access Pass programs. The full list of discounts and other ticket options is available on their website. Masks are required for entry.

Hours: Thurs–Mon: 10am–5pm

Featured Showcase: Stand Up Seattle (Now through July 5)

Stand Up Seattle: The Democracy Project is an exploration of the power of self-government, engaging visitors in experiences that encourage them to take action now to create the change they want to see. Shaped by the evolving story of democracy in our region, and drawing on MOHAI’s extensive collection of historic artifacts, images, and oral histories, Stand Up Seattle: The Democracy Project highlights how direct participation sustains, expands, and reimagines a government of, by, and for the people. The exhibit includes rare artifacts from Seattle’s history of democracy, personal stories of democracy in action, and interactive experiences that put the power of democracy directly in the hands of visitors.

National Nordic Museum

Visiting Information: All visitors must reserve tickets before arriving to the Museum, including Members, complimentary pass holders, and general admission. Masks are required for entry. Plan your visit here.

Special Offer: For a limited time, use the code “heatwave” upon checkout to reserve one free ticket for every paid ticket.

Hours:

Fri: 10am–5pm
Sat: 10am–5pm
Sun: 10am–5pm

Featured Showcase: Among Forests and Lakes: Landscape Masterpieces from the Finnish National Gallery (May 6 – October 16)

Be transported to the beauty and drama of the Finnish countryside through 50 works of art spanning over 150 years of artistic interpretation in Among Forests and Lakes from Finland’s National Gallery. This is the only North American showing of this exhibition.

Photographic Center Northwest

Visitor Information: The Photographic Center Northwest is free to the public. Masks are required for entry.

Hours:

Mon–Thu: 12:30–9pm
Sun: 12–6pm

Featured Showcase: Time Capsule (June 24 – August 12)

As humanity continues to face historical reckonings in politics, science, race, class, and the arts amidst a pandemic, photography plays a critical role in our processing and understanding. Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) asked artists to submit work that reflects this time. We received over 1600 still and moving images, from 251 artists from all over the world. Submissions came from 34 US states and international artists submitted from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lebanon, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine. Juror Shamim M. Momin chose 59 works from 42 individuals to be included in the exhibition.

Wing Luke Museum

Visitor Information: As part of the Museums for All program, you can free admission for up to 5 individuals with an EBT card. Plan your visit here.

Hours: Fri–Sun: 10am–5pm

Featured Showcase: A Dragon Lives Here: Bruce Lee Exhibit Part 4

Building on their popular Bruce Lee exhibit series, A Dragon Lives Here hones in on Bruce Lee’s Seattle roots and the fact that Seattle, now known as a city for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurs, also played a key role in shaping Bruce Lee and his groundbreaking approach.

A Dragon Lives Here was created in partnership with the Bruce Lee Foundation and with the generous support of sponsors, donors, and partners.

Be sure to visit your favorite arts organizations’ websites to see what they have to offer this weekend!

American Recovery Act funding prioritizes homelessness, small businesses, direct assistance to workers and families, community health and equity

June 23, 2021 by Erika Lindsay Leave a Comment

On May 27, 2021, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, together with Council President M. Lorena González and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, announced the “Seattle Rescue Plan”, a $128.4 million package in federal recovery funds to aid Seattle’s recovery from the pandemic and COVID-related economic impacts.

Budget Chair Mosqueda, Council President González and Mayor Durkan crafted this legislation to respond to the most pressing needs facing Seattle. The proposed investments are informed by and are a reflection of shared priorities of the Mayor and the Council, as represented in Council Resolution 31999, which was adopted in March of this year to guide the City’s investment of ARPA funds.

Artists, organizations and every part of the ecosystem that supports the arts has been devastated by the pandemic and the city is investing in our sector to create the region that we all envision. The arts have sustained us, uplifted our community, and provided us all with connection and belonging as we grapple through this unprecedented time. Even in the midst of devastation our sector has continued to innovate and produce phenomenal content. It is our arts and culture that help us process trauma and loss, brings joy and reminds us how we need each other. It is through the arts that we can reclaim, reimagine and rebuild our city. We need our creative and arts community to help get us through this period because they are our heart and soul and keep us connected.

About the Seattle Rescue Plan:

In April, the City passed a nearly $18 million COVID Relief package that focused on health, food and families, following deliberations in Councilmember Mosqueda’s Finance and Housing Committee. These funds, combined with the $128.4M in American Rescue Plan Act Funding, are integral to Seattle’s recovery from the social, public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

Community Recovery and arts & culture

Our communities know best what they need to recover and the Seattle Rescue Plan will give them that support. Whether help for small businesses, investments in training, or targeted grants, Seattle is committed to building back a more vibrant, innovative, and inclusive city, together.

$23m in funding for community and small business recovery as part of Seattle Rescue Plan to support neighborhood & downtown recovery and job training

Community Recovery	$23,000,000
Apprenticeships and Retraining
Retraining/Apprenticeships	$500,000
Youth Employment internship programs	$500,000
Downtown and Neighborhood Recovery Grants
Downtown Recovery Grants	$22,000,000
Neighborhood Recovery Grants
Nonprofit and Community Organization Stabilization Grants
Non-Profit Supports – Stabilization grants for arts/culture non-profits and other community orgs that have not had access to COVID-related funds. Investment in the cultural organizations that sustain Seattle residents and visitors throughout neighborhoods and downtown is a vital strategy for the economic recovery of Seattle. Cultural anchors will play a key role in encouraging Seattleites to re-engage with neighborhoods while attending events and return to supporting nearby businesses. As the city reopens, cultural facilities and activities will also attract tourists and regional visitors, setting us apart from other cities across the nation.
Small Business Grants

Celebrating Audrey Querns, The Creative Advantage Project Manager

June 21, 2021 by April Jingco 6 Comments

After nine years of work with the Seattle Public School’s arts plan and The Creative Advantage, Audrey Querns is transitioning from her role as The Creative Advantage Project Manager to a new exciting Seattle Public Schools (SPS) project. Audrey will join Assistant Deputy Superintendents Carri Campbell and Sarah Pritchett as the Senior Project Manager of SPS’s new Office of Strategy Deployment and Responsiveness. The team’s first project will be to help coordinate the many cross-functional groups working on the fall Return to School. She was asked to join this new department to carry forward the collaborative and systematic approaches we take in The Creative Advantage into other cross-division SPS projects and initiatives.

As the project manager for The Creative Advantage, Audrey managed the SPS aspects of the collaboration with City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture partners, school leaders, teachers, teaching artists, and arts administrators to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality and culturally relevant arts education. Through that collective effort, The Creative Advantage has expanded to more than 80 schools — the number of music and art programs has more than doubled — and in tandem, schools have developed their arts plans using a racial equity arts dashboard. Audrey has utilized that collective impact approach in managing other SPS partner-oriented projects such as vaccinations for educators and students and planning for long-term partnerships with Seattle Housing Authority and Seattle Public Library.

“Audrey is incredibly detail-oriented, persistent, and dedicated to ensuring that all students are seen, heard, and supported. She is gracious in her approach to sharing information, and always strives to understand both sides of a problem before proposing a solution.”
Pam Ivezic, SPS Music Coach

Ashraf Hasham and Audrey Querns of The Creative Advantage

“Not only is Audrey the epitome of cool, calm, and collected — she’s also an optimistic, joyful, and justice-minded do-gooder who I’m grateful to have worked with. Audrey’s pristine project management and influence are a big part of the reason why The Creative Advantage has shone so brightly. We’re delighted she’ll be able to infuse creativity, access, and equity into her new work at SPS!”
Ashraf Hasham, Youth Arts Manager for the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Gail Sehlhorst, SPS’s Visual & Performing Arts Manager, will be hiring a new Creative Advantage Project Manager, and Audrey has offered to assist with the transition to train the new staff member. Stay tuned for updates, and please join us in showing congratulatory love and appreciation for Audrey in the comments.

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Celebrating Audrey Querns, The Creative Advantage Project Manager