Inside
July 23, 2008
Balance. That's the magic word in public sector arts and heritage funding. And it is never easy to achieve. There never seems to be enough to go around. The taxes we distribute at 4Culture are not generated equally by every zip code in King County - in fact, they are generated in large part by the hotels around the airports and in metro areas. Our role is to take a county-wide perspective, using those tax dollars to nurture and support culture in every neighborhood. But it's not easy.
Lodging tax funding is shared between arts, heritage and preservation programs and activities. What is the appropriate split of funds between these programs? Should the funds be divided in three parts equally? Arts organizations make up the lion's share of non-profit groups in the county eligible for our funds, and they receive the most funds. But we have to balance those needs with needs of heritage groups operating small historic buildings that are very costly to maintain, and we have to balance the needs of presenting and performing groups with museums and collecting organizations. And what about individual artists and heritage specialists? The generative creative people in our community need their fair share, too.
Lodging taxes support the work of large cultural attractions with regional and national audiences and smaller local groups that draw audiences from within a specific community or city. Is there a magic formula that determines how many dollars should go to the larger regional institutions and how many should support local activities? Smaller organizations argue that they should receive a higher portion of lodging taxes, because larger institutions don't need it as much. Larger institutions argue that they are drawing the visitors that fill the hotel rooms that generate the tax dollars in the first place, so they should get more.
From the tourism industry perspective, it would be easy to say that the public sector should be making greater investments in the programs that lure tourists and conventions to our region and drive economic growth. But we all understand that it is the symbiotic ecology of cultural offerings throughout King County that builds strong communities and makes this region a draw to tourists in the long run. And what about geography? It's a fact that within King County, the City of Seattle houses by far the greatest number of arts and heritage organizations and historic preservation projects. On the other hand, we see amazing growth in cultural organizations and activities in all our suburban communities, and we believe our dollars can really make things happen in those areas. Every citizen deserves access to arts and heritage experiences, and we have to try to balance big, small, rural, urban and all points of the compass.
It's all very complicated, but I can tell you that 4Culture strives to distribute the public funds we receive every year with a deep understanding of the impact these dollars can have on arts and heritage organizations, preservation efforts, individual artists and communities throughout the county.
Jim Kelly
Executive Director
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35 projects funded including 17 that commemorate the centennial of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
Heritage 4Culture
The 2009 commemoration of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Centennial received special attention this year in 4Culture's Heritage Special Projects and Cultural Education programs, with applicants encouraged to submit A-Y-P proposals. As a result, seventeen of the 35 awards approved by 4Culture's Board of Directors focus on the upcoming event. The board approved a total of $152,400 in Heritage Special Projects awards in June, as well as $22,600 in awards through the Heritage Cultural Education program.
A-Y-P related projects include a 3D virtual walking tour of the A-Y-P grounds, exhibits at museums including the Shoreline Heritage Museum and the Museum of History and Industry, an antique car rally commemorating the "New York to Seattle Car Race" of 1909, and an examination of the Scandinavian community's contribution to the fair.
Read the press release for a complete list of 2008 Heritage Special Projects and Cultural Education award recipients.
Application Reminder! Applications for the next Heritage Cultural Facilities program are due August 25. Read more
image: © If Tired Hands Could Talk, courtesy Wing Luke Asian Museum
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sitespecificarts.org
Several site-specific performances have been scheduled for July and August. Scattered throughout King County, unsuspecting audiences may stumble on Byron Au Yong's miniature water operas, Rose Cano's Afro-Peruvian dances or Theater Simple's haunting fairy tale that travels through a park. Full performance schedule and details are available online.
Artist Reminder! Applications for the next cycle of site-specific art are available online. The deadline is September 15, 2008.
image: © The Snow Queen: Gerdas Journey, courtesy Theater Simple
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reception August 7, 2008, 6 to 8pm
exhibit August 7 through 29, 2008
www.4culture.org/publicart/gallery
Gallery4Culture is pleased to announce an exhibition of a paper and textile installation by Seattle artist Chad Wentzel.
Wentzel presents a new installation of cut paper and textiles that strips away any obscure references in order to provide direct accessibility for "more people than less." Recapturing the folk performance quality of raves and happenings, the use of handmade traditional crafts, such as paper cutting and crocheting, brings the hippy communal lifestyle into a giant wall tableau of spinning crocheted hemp doilies.
image: © Chad Wentzel, 2008, courtesy of the artist
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4Culture says Bon Voyage to Renée Tanner who has served our community as a Public Art Project Manager for the past five years. Renee began working for the King County Office of Cultural Resources (4Culture's previous incarnation) as the outreach and public relations coordinator, drawing on her years of experience as a community activist and organizer in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.
Reneé's keen wit, out-going personality and insightful commentary is already sorely missed in the office, but we wish her well in her new adventure in southern California. Thanks Renee, for ten years of outstanding work on behalf of our region's cultural community and for making our work life a little happier - and a whole lot livelier. You are irreplaceable!
image: © Renée Tanner, courtesy 4Culture
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budget $129,000
deadline August 11, 2008
www.4culture.org/publicart
The City of Kenmore is seeking an artist to create site specific work for its new City Hall development. The art zone includes the front entry to the facility which is a covered outdoor terrace that will overlook a future plaza expansion, as well as the interior lobby space. The development is an exciting step in the City's efforts to revitalize its downtown and create a vibrant civic and retail core. The City has appointed a seven-member advisory committee to work in concert with 4Culture on the public art commissioning process. More details online.
image: © exterior rendering courtesy of Weinstein AU
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application deadline August 18, 2008
auditions August 23, 2008
Touring Arts Roster
Performing artists are invited to apply for inclusion in the Touring Arts Roster, a juried directory of artists available for regional bookings. Professional performing artists and arts ensembles based in King County are eligible to apply; the application process includes a short written application and a live audition before a peer panel. The Touring Arts Roster, which is distributed free of charge, has become known as a marketing resource for artists and a valuable tool for presenting organizations such as local arts agencies, convention and travel industry professionals, schools, libraries, festival coordinators, meeting and event planners and other public and private presenters.
Performers who are currently in the Touring Arts Roster must complete this update form to remain in the upcoming 2009 edition of the Roster.
image: © Touring Arts Roster, Fisher Ensemble
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deadline August 18, 2008
www.4culture.org/preservation/funding/challenge
The Landmark Challenge Grants program extends support to owners of historic places in each and every jurisdiction of King County. Seattle alone has over 300 designated historic sites which are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Additionally, stewards of designated properties in Bellevue, Burien, Duvall, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila and other cities will also now have access to "bricks and mortar" help in caring for their important heritage sites.
Landmark Challenge Grants of $10,000 or more are available to fund repairs, restoration, and rehabilitation of private and public structures, ships, cemeteries, public art, barns and landscapes. Downloadable application materials are available at the Preservation 4Culture website.
image: © Panama Hotel, courtesy 4Culture
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www.4culture.org/publicart
Illustrator Bryn Barnard and glass artist Irene D'Aloisio have been selected to create window treatments for the Domestic Violence Courtroom of the King County Courthouse in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square district.
The goals of the Domestic Violence Court are to promote fairness, accountability and the coordination of services for victims and their families. Barnard and D'Aloisio's sand carved glass treatments will be both sensitive to the historic character of the courtroom and created with the intention of reducing stress and anxiety present in the often emotionally charged space.
image: © King County Courthouse, Jimmy Emerson
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www.4culture.org/publicart
Donald Fels has been selected to create a water feature in conjunction with the construction of a new administration building at King County's South Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Plant, part of the regional system that serves more than 1.4 million people, sits on 94 acres in Renton. In addition to treatment operations, the site includes facilities for biosolids handling, water reuse and testing alternative treatment technologies. More than 1,000 visitors toured the Plant last year through the School and Community Tours program.
This project presents a unique opportunity for collaboration. Fels will work closely with Wastewater Treatment personnel to develop a water feature that incorporates industrial surplus materials and reveals treatment processes, exemplifying the strong educational and stewardship mission of the Plant.
image: © courtesy 4Culture
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www.4culture.org/publicart
Two artists, Eric Eley and Robert Horner, have been selected to create artworks for Harborview's Ninth and Jefferson Building (NJB). The sites for the artists' works are the King County's Medical Examiner's Office and the entry lobby.
The Ninth and Jefferson Building is a 14-story, multi-purpose high-rise tower that will be home to Harborview Medical Center's expanded specialty services in neurosciences, orthopedics, spine center, sleep center and global health. It will house a center of emphasis in infectious disease control including HIV/AIDS and STD and specialized services such as the King County Medical Examiner, and the Involuntary Treatment Act Courtroom.
The NJB opportunity will be the first permanent public art projects for both Horner and Eley.
image: © interior lobby rendering courtesy of Wright Runstadt
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panel proposal deadline August 1, 2008
www.americansforthearts.org
June 2009 will bring over 1500 artists and arts administrators to Seattle for the Americans for the Arts convention. The hosting agency is the Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, with support provided by 4Culture and other local arts administrators and agencies. We are inspired by this opportunity to showcase our regional talent and innovation in the arts.
Currently there is a Call for Sessions open for anyone who is interested in presenting a panel or workshop for the 2009 Americans for the Arts convention. The theme is "Renewable Resources: the arts in sustainable communities" and there are nine program tracks which will explore this topic. Tracks range from Arts Education to Economic Development, from Preserving Diverse Cultures to Public Art. Panel proposals are due by August 1, 2008.
For a complete Call for Sessions, visit www.americansforthearts.org.
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deadline August 22, 2008
www.4culture.org/publicart/advisory.htm
Have you always wanted to become more involved in your community's public art? Now is your chance to fill an empty seat on our Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC). We are primarily looking for a professional engineer, fabricator, landscape architect or architect from the Eastside or South King County.
The PAAC reviews all King County public art projects managed by 4Culture. It approves most aspects of the projects such as the artist selection methods and panelists, proposal and design development, budget allocations and the Public Art annual plan. Members of the PAAC serve a three-year term and are eligible for a second term if they are willing to continue to serve. Members meet once a month for regularly scheduled three-hour meetings.
Interested applicants must send a Letter of Interest and resume to Willow Fox. If you have any questions, please contact Willow at 206 205.8024. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, August 22.
Find out more information about the PAAC online.
image: © Jeremy Brooks
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Forty-five of the best public art works in the United States were recognized at the 2008 Americans for the Arts annual convention held in Philadelphia last month. Our region was well represented with 8 awards given to local projects and local artists including two 4Culture projects: York Bridge by Cliff Garten and Confluences by Anna Valentina Murch. Members of the 4Culture Artist Registry also made a good showing with 8 additional projects receiving recognition. The awardees were chosen from more than 200 entries across the country.
Read the press release for a list of regionally recognized artists and projects.
image: © Cliff Garten, York Bridge, photo: Ned Ahrens
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The City of Kent's new landmarks commission has acted quickly to preserve two of the community's most important landmarks: Earthworks Park by Herbert Beyer, and the Bereiter House, home to one of the city's prominent early families. Built in 1982 after a design by Bauhaus artist Herbert Bayer, Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks is a sculpted landscape that also serves as a storm water retention and erosion control facility. Though the park is less than 40 years old, the commission wanted to protect it given its fast-growing neighborhood. "We're already losing some of our history," says Linda Van Nest, executive director of the Greater Kent Historical Society, which operates the Kent Historical Museum in the Bereiter House.
The Kent Landmarks Commission was formed earlier this year after the city signed an interlocal agreement with King County. The agreement allows the King County Landmarks Commission to temporarily add another member - in this case, from Kent - to the board and act on landmarks nominations as the Kent Landmarks Commission. Now, for the first time, citizens of Kent have a formal mechanism to recognize and protect places of special value to their local heritage. The Society was recently awarded a 2008 Landmark Rehabilitation grant from 4Culture for work on stabilizing the distinctive carriage barn at Bereiter House. For more details on the new landmarks, visit the Preservation 4Culture website.
image: © Kent Landmarks Historic Earthworks Parks
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Outside
4Culture Public Art Calls List
subscribe - www.4culture.org/publicart
Public Art 4Culture compiles a list of current public art opportunities available through Public Art 4Culture and other agencies across the country. The Public Art Calls List provides brief project descriptions, deadlines and how to receive more information about each opportunity -- bimonthly, free of charge.
2008 August Poetry PostCard Fest
Call for participants
Deadline to sign up July 25, 2008
www.poetrypostcards.blogspot.com/
Poets needed for Poetry PostCard Fest. Each participant signs up to write and send a poem a day for a month.
Tacoma Art Museum
The 9th Northwest Biennial Call for Entries
deadline July 26, 2008, midnight
www.TacomaArtMuseum.org/biennial
Open to current residents of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Only work created since January 2007 will be considered.
Phinney Center Gallery
Northwest Fine Arts Competition
deadline July 26th, 2008 (not a postmark deadline)
http://docs.google.com
Work in all mediums by individual artists will be considered for inclusion in this annual juried group show. Priority consideration will go to artists working in the Puget Sound area.
Shift Studio
Seeking new members for collaborative studio
deadline August 1, 2008
www.shiftstudio.org
Shift is now accepting applications for new members. One person, two person, and work-study memberships are available. Benefits include a solo show.
Velocity Dance Center
Calling Choreographers
deadline August 8 (Scuba) & September 5 (Next Fest NW), 2008
www.velocitydancecenter.org
Next Fest NW and SCUBA: National Touring Network for Dance applications now available.
Seattle Art Museum
30th Annual Betty Bowen Award
Call for Artist Entries
application deadline Friday, August 15, 2008
www.seattleartmuseum.org/bettybowen
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Betty Bowen Award. In honor of this milestone, the Committee has raised the award amount from $11,000 to $15,000 to be given to a single artist. The PONCHO Special Recognition award winner will be awarded $2,500 and this year, one artist will be awarded the Kayla Skinner Special Recognition award in the amount of $2,500. In addition, the winner's work will be on view at SAM in October 2009. Open to artists working in Washington, Oregon or Idaho.
Breaking Boundaries Project
Call for artwork
deadline August 25, 2008
Breaking Boundaries PDF
The King County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee is seeking image rights to an original artwork by a King County-based artist. An honorarium of $500 will be offered for rights to the selected image. The most competitive images will be those which visually articulate an idea around the theme while highlighting one of Dr. King's many values including courage, truth, social justice, equity, compassion, dignity, humility and service. The artwork remains the property of the artist.
The Free Sheep Foundation
Call for time-based, site specific installations
3rd & Battery in Belltown, Seattle
deadline August 31, 2008
www.freesheepfree.org
The Free Sheep Foundation is looking for time-based, site-specific installations in our storefront window exhibition spaces. Contact dkpan@freesheepfree.org
Art On The Ridge
Seeking artists for shared gallery exhibitions
Ongoing
www.ArtOnTheRidge.com
Each month 4 new Northwest artists with common themes are exhibited at this new gallery.
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Washington State Arts Commission
Poetry Out Loud Coordinator
Deadline August 6, 2008 (not a postmark deadline)
Part time, contract position August 2008 - April 2009, 8-20 hours weekly, $12-$18/hour doe. Full description online.
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council
Arts Education Program Coordinator
deadline August 8, 2008
Part-time contract position of approximately 10 hours weekly. Starting in August/September. Salary doq. Please request full job description or send any questions to info@shorelinearts.net.
Northwest Film Forum
Technical Director
Deadline August 1, 2008
Full time, salary $27.5-33K doe. See full job description online.
Northwest Film Forum
Executive Director Search Reopened
Deadline August 15, 2008
Full time, salary $45 - 52K doe. See full job description online.
Seattle Opera
www.seattleopera.org
See list of several opportunities online
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Elliot Bay Book Company and the Northwest African American Museum
Andrew Ward
July 24, 2008, 6pm
Northwest African American Museum at 2300 South Massachusetts
www.elliottbaybook.com/events
An appearance by distinguished Seattle author Andrew Ward, with his most recent book The Slaves' War: The Civil War in the Words of Former Slaves (Houghton Mifflin). "A riveting book about the most important event in our history, from the perspective of those most affected by its outcome." - Ken Burns.
Seattle Dance Project
Project One
July 25 - 26, 2008, 8pm
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th Street Bellevue, WA
The company's nine dancers are featured in four Bellevue premieres with choreography by Donald Byrd, Pat Catterson, Molissa Fenley and Olivier Wevers. Tickets and info www.ticketwindowonline.com.
Northwest Seaport Maritime Concert Series
Hank Cramer / Sanger & Didele in Concert
Saturday, July 26, 20008, 8pm
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1215 Thomas, Seattle WA
www.nwseaport.org
Cramer brings a wry sense of humor to songs about cowboys and drifters while Madcap mariners Sanger and Didele perform a salty brew of sea songs and merriment.
Theatre Puget Sound
Cultivating New Audiences
July through September 2008
tpsonline.org
A seminar series offering comprehensive and in-depth training in organizational development and patron cultivation specifically for arts organization management teams.
Pratt Fine Arts Center Gallery at the Tashiro-Kaplan Building
Timea Tihanyi - Outside In, Inside Out: Seeing Ghosts (Will you come to visit me tomorrow again?)
Through August 1, 2008, Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5pm
www.pratt.org
This new work created for the Pratt Gallery, transforms the space into a maze of white sheets hanging on parallel rows of clothesline. While trying to remain firmly grounded in the physical and rational, the artist contemplates the idea of trespassing to the metaphysical, looking for ghosts.
Wooden O Shakespeare Company Presents:
Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night's Dream
Through August 3, 2008
Parks throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties
Two of the Bard's best-known plays tour to parks throughout the region. Free and open to the public. Online schedule at www.seattleshakespeare.org
Museum of Flight
Bank of America Weekend Family Workshop: Blue Angels Mania!
9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5
August 1 - 3 & 9 - 10, 2008, noon to 3pm
www.museumofflight.org.
The spectacular Blue Angels are visiting Seattle and The Museum of Flight is celebrating with family workshops to make Blue Angels souvenirs.
Eastside Heritage Center
Fraser Cabin Heritage Day
August 16, 2008, 11am to 3pm
Kelsey Creek Farm Park, 410 130th Avenue SE in Bellevue
www.eastsideheritagecenter.org
Fraser Cabin Heritage Day celebrates the life of 19th century settlers, with hands-on activities related to agriculture, dairy, household tasks and games.
Enumclaw Art Walk
August 16, 2008, noon to 9pm
Downtown Enumclaw on Cole Street
Shopping, art exhibits, interactive art-making booths, art demonstrations, and live music will stretch through downtown Enumclaw for this special summer art celebration.
Western Arts Alliance
Professional Development Institute
September 2 - 3, 2008
www.westarts.org
A tuition-based education program for presenters, artists and managers. News4Culture readers are eligible for a 20% discount off non member prices. Go online and use the discount code WAA084C.
Arts Reach Conference Discount
National Arts Development Conference: October 4 - 6, 2008
National Arts Marketing Conference: October 5 - 7, 2008
Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco
www.artsreach.com
4Culture award recipients are eligible for a discounted price for this national arts conference.
Site Specific Performance at Bumbershoot
August 30 - September 1, 2008
Seattle Center
Some of 4Culture's site-specific artists are performing at Bumbershoot this Labor Day weekend. Participants include acornDance's Fountain/Works in the International Fountain; Byron Au Yong's Kidnapping Water: Bottled Operas in the DuPen Fountain; Amy-Ellen Flatchestedmama Trefsger's Inquiries for an Artist Who Doesn't Draw or Paint; and Paul Rucker's interactive cello concerts. Check out the full schedule of these Special Exhibits and Installations at www.bumbershoot.org/lineup.htm?spectacle
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How to Access Health Care in Washington -
A Practical Guide for Artists
www.artisttrust.org
Artist Trust and The Health Insurance Resource Center of the Actors Fund have developed a ten-page health care guide which provides explanations of the types of insurance and various health care programs available in the State of Washington. Print copies are available through Artist Trust and can also be accessed online. If you would like a printed copy mailed to you, or have a suggestion for a distribution location please contact miguel@artisttrust.org.
Bank of America/IMLS American Heritage Preservation Program
Deadline September 15, 2008
Bank of America is partnering with the Institute to provide grants to small museums, libraries and archives to preserve specific items including works of art, artifacts and historical documents that are in need of conservation. Grant amounts are up to $3,000. For more information, contact Christine Henry, Senior Program Officer, at 202 653.4674.
Live Historic offering artists first crack at discounted condos
Informational Event / Party
July 30, 2008, 5 to 9pm
www.livehistoricevents.com
Pravda Studios - 1406 10th Avenue between Pike & Pine
Live Historic wants to offer a new condominium project to the arts community at a discounted rate with down-payment assistance.
A-Y-P E website
aypcentennial.org
The website for the upcoming 2009 Centennial Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Celebration is gaining speed! Get up-to-date information about events, activities and more on the A-Y-P E website. This month you can watch an archival Norway Day video, courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives.
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top image: © The Snow Queen: Gerdas Journey
, courtesy Theater Simple
