Meet Your Arts Commissioners!

Ever wondered what an arts commissioner does?  Want to know how to get more involved?

Arts Leadership Lab Seattle and the Washington State Arts Alliance join together to explore the role, accessibility and utilization of your arts commissions on a city, county and state level. With current leadership and budgetary shifts, learn how to access your arts commissioners, get on their radar and learn about their interaction in the bigger picture of state and local governments.

This free Accountability and the Arts workshop will include commissioners and arts agency representation. We will engage in an interactive panel discussion and Q & A regarding each respective commission’s role and current state. The workshop will also include a mock meeting segment and opportunity to connect with a commissioner one-on-one regarding some of your specific issues. Light refreshments available.

Come join Arts Leadership Lab this Wednesday!

When: November 17th 6:30-8:30PM

Where: Seattle University, Pigott Building, Room 109

9/15, Free Public Presentation: Designing Seattle’s Central Waterfront

FREE PUBLIC EVENT that I will be attending. Hope to see you (the civically engaged creative) there!

Reshaping Seattle’s Central Waterfront: Presentations by Firms Shortlisted for the Role of Lead Designer

With the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle is poised to reclaim its Central Waterfront and reconnect our city to Elliott Bay. The City is now in the process of selecting a design and engineering team to engage the public in developing a dynamic and forward-looking design for the waterfront. As the first step, a range of local, national and international designers have submitted qualifications.

This presentation will be the public’s opportunity to hear the shortlisted designers present their skills, experience and approach to the project. Designers will answer questions from the public. A lead designer will be selected in part based on the quality of their presentation and ability to engage the public. The City will start the design process in October 2010.

The presentations will take place on:
Wednesday September 15th, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
*Please note time change

No RSVP required.

This event is being sponsored by the Seattle Parks Foundation.
To learn more about the project: www.seattle.gov/dpd/centralwaterfront

Tell the city to Wake Up and Smell the Culture

Hello friends,

Apparently our community has not made enough noise about about preserving and protecting Seattle arts and culture. Please understand that significant cuts are imminent by tomorrow (which will be too late to act) - and this alleged  “silence” has put arts in the crosshairs.

Please take a moment NOW to sign off and/or add to the letter below and asking McGinn and the city to 1)honor  their commitment to the arts by not cutting arts and culture beyond it’s fair share and 2) designate a staff position focused on preserving and expanding affordable cultural space.

Copy and paste your letter and email Mayor McGinn : mike.mcginn@seattle.gov

make some noise on Mayor McGinns facebook!: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Mayor-Mike-McGinn/224859138615?ref=ts

Thank you!

Alberto Mejia II,  ALL Core Team Member

——————————————————————————————————————————-

RE:  Keeping  Arts and Culture in Seattle

Mayor McGinn-

I want to thank you for  supporting arts and culture in Seattle’s neighborhoods, and I urge you to  keep cultural life  strong in our communities.

Fare Share of Cuts

First, please keep your campaign promise to  “Protect the Office of Arts and Culture.”  Due to the current budget realities, it is understandable that the office is taking a budget cut.  However, the office is partially funded from admission tax and should not be required to take more than its fair share of cuts.  As you stated of this department during the campaign “it would be counter productive to cut the budget any further.”

Affordable Cultural Space

Second, I urge you to designate a staff position focused on preserving and expanding affordable cultural space. Doing so would help preserve the cultural way of life that makes our neighborhoods livable and special. It would also be a wise investment that supports creativity—the key to Seattle’s current and future success in jobs and economic development. Connecting business, arts groups, city departments, artists and neighborhood groups, this position will be effective in leveraging support for new and existing projects.  From the Taproot Theatre in Greenwood to Washington Hall in the Central District and the ArtSpace site in Rainier Valley, there is a unique chance to expand cultural space in this down economy as a way to prepare for future growth.  This position will have a return many times beyond its investment, bringing resources and jobs to Seattle. Supported by the Seattle Arts Commission and numerous city council members, and the time to fund it is now.

The arts generate more than $330 million in economic activity annually.  As you are faced with difficult budget decisions this summer, support these programs that leverage outside funds, strengthen our communities, and improve the quality of life in Seattle.

Signed,

Name:

Address:

*email: