Seattle, WA. The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) began in 1961, and was formed by the Washington State Legislature. Throughout its tenure, ArtsWA continues to promote the value of art, especially during the pandemic, by supporting the following programs: Public Art, Grants, Creative Districts, and Arts in Education. Students from Blue Heron School worked with teaching artist Margie McDonald in a “Tales, Texts, and Theatre Workshop”. (Photo above by: David Conklin.)
ArtsWA Community Investment programs focus to nurture and grow the arts, develop community partnerships, and close the opportunity gap for early learners. The Pandemic Relief Grant objective aims to support Small and Mid-sized Organizations experiencing financial hardship. Applications for these grants will be accepted until the beginning of April, 2021.
Arts in Education Partnership Grant is a one-year commitment between a non-profit organization, a K-12 school, school district, or tribal agency. The Creative Start Grant is designed for early learners, preschool to 3rd grade, to help integrate the arts within classrooms throughout Washington state.
Land of Dreams curated by Jasmine Mahmoud, ArtsWA Board Member, performance historian, and Seattle University Assistant Professor in the Department of Performing Arts & Arts Leadership. (January 2021)
ArtsWA Mission: The Arts Commission is a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. ArtsWA values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in diverse forms of artistic expression. The arts amplify voices across all populations. Access to arts and arts education should be available for everyone. The arts can and should address inequities, model inclusion, and teach empathy.To learn more about the programs ArtsWA supports visit:arts.wa.gov
Seattle, WA. The Seattle Aquarium has reopened for business! Under the restrictions COVID-19 has imposed, the Seattle Aquarium is doing everything they can to keep individuals safe and distanced during their visits. (Image courtesy of Bella Gold).
Here are some of their guidelines for visitors during this unprecedented time:
ONLINE TICKETS MUST BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE for all guests, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time member.
YOUR TIMED TICKET indicates your arrival window. There is no limit to how long you can spend at the Aquarium.
MASKS/FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED during your visit. Exemptions to this order include babies/toddlers under age 5 (masks/face coverings are highly recommended for children ages 3–4). A clear mask/face covering will be provided at no charge to anyone who would like one. If you are unable to wear a mask/face covering the Aquarium will work to arrange a visit at a later date when mask requirements have been lifted. If you don’t have a mask/face covering when you arrive, one will be provided for you.
A ONE-WAY PATHWAY with clear physical distance markers will guide you through the Aquarium and help protect everyone’s health—but you’ll still find plenty to see, experience and enjoy!
The number of guests allowed to visit each day and during each timed-ticketing window will be limited. Members will continue to receive free admission, but tickets must still be reserved in advance in order to limit capacity.
The Seattle Aquarium would like to remind visitors that masks and face coverings are required to keep everyone safe. Exemptions to this order include babies/toddlers under age 5 (face coverings/masks are highly recommended for children ages 3–4). Free clear masks will be provided to anyone who would like one. If you are unable to wear a mask the Aquarium will work to arrange a visit at a later date when mask requirements have been lifted. If you don’t have a mask when you arrive, one will be provided for you.
From the Seattle Aquarium:
Founded in 1977 and located on Pier 59 in the heart of Seattle, Washington, the Aquarium serves as the largest platform for ocean conservation and engagement in the Pacific Northwest. With a mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. The Seattle Aquarium offers a unique window into ocean conservation by offering compelling exhibits and event experiences; community programming along local rivers and beaches; research that advances understanding of marine species; advocacy and policy work on issues like climate change and ocean acidification; an award-winning volunteer program; and more. The region’s premier resource for hands-on marine experiences and conservation education, the Seattle Aquarium offers fun, exciting ways to discover more about the amazing Puget Sound and our world’s one big ocean.
Seattle, WA. In celebration of World Tutu Day and #TutuTuesday, Pacific Northwest Ballet launched a new fundraising effort for its Second Stage Program. The program supports PNB dancers looking to advance to the next stage of their lives. It’s multi-faceted and provides scholarships, mentorship programs, and support for a career transition. Providing financial support to dancers allows them to take college courses, access counseling, and career services, and receive grants for education and start-up expenses.
The lack of performance opportunities because of the COVID-19 pandemic has created an increased need to help bridge economic gaps and support dancer’s post-dance careers. This year World Tutu Day fell on Tuesday, February 2nd, so it was a great opportunity to launch an effort supporting young dancers, gearing up to advance their education and career opportunities.
Leta Biasucci is just one of many dancers who have benefited from this program. She articulates how much it has impacted her life: “While the notion is changing, there are often too many barriers of entry for a dancer to pursue higher education and explore other passions. Time, accessibility, and of course, expense are all hurdles. Dancers are exceptional in reaching personal goals through cultivated grit, dedication, and determination; but before anyone can aim for a goal, one must feel like that goal is attainable. That is why there is a real need for programs like Second Stage.”
Leta Biasucci in The Sleeping Beauty. Photo courtesy of PNB and Angela Sterling.
Funds from benefactors make it possible for PNB dancers to become college graduates, lawyers, small business owners, therapists, and more. Donate here.
From the Pacific Northwest Ballet:
Second Stage is a multi-faceted career transition program for PNB dancers to achieve their post-Company goals. Since 1999, Second Stage has provided more than $750,000 in grants to dozens of dancers. Our former colleagues are now working in law, medicine, dance education, culinary arts, dancewear design and manufacturing, aesthetics, and photography—as well as creating and managing companies world-wide. The program offers scholarships, mentorships, support for research, and a unique partnership with Seattle University. You may donate at this link: Second Stage Program.
Seattle, WA. Mary’s Place has exceeded a two million dollar campaign goal, despite the present economic impacts, with more than 6,000 individuals and over 200 local businesses generous contributions. As a result, Mary’s Place – the region’s largest family emergency shelter provider was able to create a Rapid Response Fund ahead of the eviction moratorium end date, to bring families inside into safe shelters and provide permanent housing beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
To celebrate the end of the campaign, captured in the feature image, Mary’s Place released the following video:
Marty Hartman, Mary’s Place Executive Director expressed her heartfelt thanks, “We are so grateful to our community for this incredible outpouring of support. When the eviction moratorium comes to an end, we know that many families who are struggling will face homelessness. The new Rapid Response Fund will help us meet the increasing need and keep families housed by providing flexible funding solutions.”
With help from the community, Mary’s Place provides shelter and housing to families through the successful campaign.
In previous years, several festive events and activities had been celebrated during the campaign. This year, observing Covid-19 related safety measures, events were held virtually and included the following: a weekend at-home scavenger hunt, a game night, an online concert by the Amazon Symphony Orchestra, and Dick’s Drive-In Burger Box “virtual” Bingo. Continuing its ongoing commitment to the issue of family homelessness, the campaign kicked-off with a 250,000 dollar contribution from The Starbucks Foundation.
Mary’s Place exceeded the campaign goal to protect families.
To hear more and view updates from Mary’s Place visit the Facebook page at:
Mary’s Place believes that no one’s child should sleep outside. They provide safe and inclusive shelter and resources for women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness. Mary’s Place currently operates five crisis response family shelters providing refuge and community for 500 family members experiencing homelessness. To learn more about this organization and get involved, visit Mary’s Place Seattle
Seattle, WA. Inspire Washington maintains the role of resource development and advocacy for science, heritage, and the arts after the merging of Cultural Access Washington and the Washington State Arts Alliance. It supports enrichment programs like the one seen above during a pre-covid event at the Pacific Science Center. Manuel R. Cawaling, Executive Director, continues to assist organizations across Washington state, navigating Covid-19 restrictions, clarifying informational updates, and making sample survey templates and advocacy resources accessible. A list of these resources can be found here: Covid-19 Advocacy and Resources
Inspire Washington encourages the spread of culture
Arts, Heritage, and Science Day is an opportunity for cultural advocates to gather together and meet legislators that support these communities. Inspire Washington provides tools for advocates to fully participate, with training and logistical support. In the past, this annual event has been held in Olympia, and included legislative briefings and a full day of workshops. This year, a tribute to arts, heritage and science has been scheduled for the first week of February, through a series of discussions preparing community leaders for funding meetings with lawmakers. The sessions will be held virtually: AH&S Informational Sessions
Among a cohort of funding organizations, Inspire Washington collaborated to survey the financial needs and analyze recovery measures in the cultural sector. These data summaries from a statewide cultural recovery survey and economic impact dashboard report the findings.
The Inspire Washington team has created a path for community leaders to get involved and represent Washington’s 49 districts together, including the following: writing a lawmaker a message,joining a district for legislative advocacy, and by signing up to advocate for culture in Washington state. Cawaling hosts meetings for cultural businesses to learn about pandemic relief and the ways to support science, heritage, and the arts.
To help understand the ever changing developments related to Covid-19 relief, Inspire Washington hosts an office hour.
From Inspire Washington:
Mission: Inspire Washington nurtures the human spirit and strengthens communities by increasing access to science, heritage, and arts programming through advocacy, resource development, education, and coalition building.
Seattle, WA. The Center for Wooden Boats began in 1976 as a “living museum” preserving maritime heritage. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the nonprofit has continued to provide hands-on experiences by rapidly implementing safety measures. Sandy Lam, Community Engagement Director, describes the ability to contribute to the community with safe, socially distanced activities, including the following: youth programs with each participant sailing their own boat, offering free one-hour rowboat sessions, and by shifting the 3rd Friday Speaker Series to a virtual platform.
The video below is a sailing snapshot, titled Celebrate on the Lake.
Down at the Boathouse is a podcast created to broaden the reach to maritime enthusiasts worldwide and is a community-led sharing of stories inspired by those told on the docks.
The Center for Wooden Boats is a welcoming gathering place with two locations in Lake Union Park in Seattle captured in the feature image and Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, a beautiful setting to escape the city, with the option for members to extend their stay with a cabin rental. The 45th anniversary will be celebrated with small events throughout the year, titled Connecting Generations and Maritime Heritage.
An art poster competition opened for submissions this month to celebrate the anniversary and showcases previous posters recorded in the archives.
From The Center for Wooden Boats:
This is a community that focuses on creating equitable access to maritime experiences. Mission: The Center for Wooden Boats promotes northwest maritime heritage through education, interpretation, and hands-on experience in building, maintaining, and using historic small craft. Interested in getting involved and becoming a member? Join the Center for Wooden Boats
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