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Unveiling Seattle City Light’s Public Art Plan

In 2021, we selected Kate Clark as Seattle City Light’s Artist-in-Residence. She was tasked with learning about the utility to develop a Seattle City Light Art Plan (16.9MB PDF) that would guide and inform public art projects into the future. The goal of the project was to create a long-term… [ Keep reading ]

Public Art Feature | Abraham Awalom

We spoke with artist Abraham Awalom about his experience being on the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s Public Art Artist Roster! An Eritrean-born artist, Abraham came to the U.S. in 2014 as an asylee; an experience that informs much of his work. He maintains a connection through his work… [ Keep reading ]

Gülgün Kayim Sworn In as Director of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Seattle, WA – Today, Gülgün Kayim was sworn in as the Director of the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS). ARTS staff, wearing Director Kayim’s favorite color as a surprise, crowded the chamber in shades of red, joking that they should arrange themselves from cool to warm tones. This… [ Keep reading ]

2023 Year in Review

As we pause to reflect on the events and work of the last year, I am incredibly grateful to be directing Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture and to be surrounded by a dynamic and inspiring team. Despite many challenges and a tremendous amount of change, I’m proud of the… [ Keep reading ]

Perspective on Public Arts by Toka Valu

Toka Valu, an artist currently on the existing Public Art Artist Roster, shares some encouraging words for fellow artists to apply.

Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Directed $2.56M in Federal Recovery Funding to the Creative Sector 

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) has successfully directed $2.56 million in federal recovery funding for the City’s arts and cultural sector to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. In August, the City released the Seattle Rescue Plan: 2023 Performance Report (Aug. 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023)…. [ Keep reading ]

Summer Interns Reflect on their Time at ARTS

The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) increases youth and young adults’ ability to pursue careers that pay well and are meaningful to them. This year, two interns joined us for six weeks: Bemi Hailu worked with our Partnerships, Education, and Grants team, and Brittney Ramirez-Osorio worked with our Communications team…. [ Keep reading ]

Behind The Red Door Of How I Learned What I Learned 

by Dr. James R. Gore The artwork tribute to August Wilson behind the Seattle Repertory Theater on the Seattle Center campus by Mindy Lehrman is a red door with Wilson’s image. A red door has cultural and historical significance. According to the online magazine, Doors and More (Berry, 2020), “In… [ Keep reading ]

Following National Search, Mayor Harrell Announces Renowned Arts Administrator to Lead Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Informed by outreach-centering community and creative voices and priorities, award-winning interdisciplinary artist and creative economy leader Gülgün Kayim will serve as the next Director of the Office of Arts & Culture Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he has selected Gülgün Kayim to serve as the next permanent… [ Keep reading ]

Anh Sy Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Intern Explores The Creative Advantage Summer Online Arts

By Anh Sy, SYEP Intern About The Creative Advantage Online Arts (CAOA): The Creative Advantage Online Arts videos were created as a swift pivot in response to COVID-19, with goals to support students and families during school closures, as well as to support teaching artists who had been contracted to lead… [ Keep reading ]