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… [ Keep reading ]
One of our proudest accomplishments in 2025 was the launch of our new strategic plan, published at the beginning of the year and created by and for the people who make this work possible: our staff. After years of disruption caused by the pandemic across Seattle’s creative sector and multiple… [ Keep reading ]
Last year, more than 290 educators participated in Creative Advantage trainings and workshops. We’re kicking 2026 off with The Seattle Music Education Coalition’s Professional Development Day on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute! The event is produced by Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Visual & Performing Arts Program and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, with collaboration… [ Keep reading ]
From gallery exhibitions to grant workshops, thank you for being in community with us this year. As we look back at 2025, join us in celebrating a year of artist support! Keep reading to learn about some of our highlights and stay tuned for more in our upcoming Report to… [ Keep reading ]
Over 500 attendees flooded into McCaw Hall at Seattle Center on Tuesday, October 14th for the 2025 Creative Economy Career Day, a free, annual, one-day educational program hosted by The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and the Office of Economic Development. The morning featured panels, presentations and live demonstrations… [ Keep reading ]
Youth leaders were the center of a day of learning for Seattle’s arts educators. The 2025 Creative Advantage Institute kicked off with passionate speeches from Speak with Purpose scholars seeking to raise awareness of students with disabilities. Sam Martin, a 7th grader from Aki Kurose Middle School, spoke directly about… [ Keep reading ]
The Creative Advantage Institute is back at the Seattle Art Museum Saturday, Sept. 27. This day of professional learning in and through the arts is the creative start to the 2025-2026 school year and serves as a time for teachers, artists, community partners, arts administrators, and education leaders to reconvene,… [ Keep reading ]
For the second year of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan (DAP), the Office of Arts & Culture has worked to lift up the arts and culture sector as a critical piece of a revitalized downtown. Earlier this year, we hosted “Downtown is Vibrant,” an event to share with community our… [ Keep reading ]
On June 9, our Arts Education team welcomed over 40 community members and stakeholders to celebrate The Creative Advantage as we close the 2024-25 school year. A great turnout of Seattle Public School educators, teaching artists, community-based arts organizations, and fellow funders were treated to live music from The Rhapsody… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Arts Commission, a group of citizen volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council to support and advocate for the Office of Arts & Culture, write to the Mayor to protect our budget and continue investing in what makes Seattle strong. Dear Mayor Harrell, On behalf of the Seattle Arts… [ Keep reading ]
