Founded in 1977, the Association of King County Historical Organizations (AKCHO) was established to encourage cooperation among historical organizations and to promote and encourage the study and preservation of the history and heritage of King County. Today, 73 member organizations and 74 individual members meet monthly to support preservation efforts, and promote public awareness and understanding of legislative issues. 4Culture participates in meetings, contributes content for the AKCHO Heritage Advisor newsletter. In 2008, editorial control of Heritage Advisor was transferred from Heritage 4Culture to AKCHO, providing financial support for its production and publication. Heritage 4Culture also supports AKCHO's Annual Awards Ceremony.
Arts Leadership Lab (ALL) is a collaborative leadership-building project in King County, using a service learning model. Each year, a new team of collaborators receives training and programs public events based on the long-term ALL question: What are the major opportunities of our time? How can arts practitioners be effective partners in pursuing them? In 2008, four 4Culture staff members participated in Arts Leadership Lab planning. 4Culture also provided staff and financial support for ALL events and meetings.
Founded in 1998, the Eastside Arts Coalition is comprised of more than 60 Eastside arts groups and individual artists who have joined forces to promote performing, visual, literary and media arts and heritage in communities in East King County. 4Culture attends monthly meetings, and in 2008, provided annual assistance in updating the Coalition website and supported the annual Arts Education Fair.
The Ethnic Arts Connection
The Ethnic Arts Connection is a biennial conference introducing Northwest artists working in culturally specific traditions to presenters from around the NW region in a day of performances, workshops and conversations. 4Culture partners with the City of Seattle, Washington State, NW Folklife, Arts NW and the Ethnic Heritage Council to produce this highly dynamic and multidisciplinary event.
Organized in 1990, the Heritage Caucus is a bi-partisan gathering of state legislators and other elected officials; staff from state heritage, arts, and cultural agencies, and nonprofit organizations; and citizens who meet regularly while the Washington State Legislature is in session to discuss heritage, arts and other cultural issues. Several 4Culture Staff regularly participate in these meetings to keep abreast of legislative issues impacting our constituents.
Local Arts Agencies (LAA'S) are non-profit or government agencies in suburban and unincorporated areas of King County providing cultural programs and services for a municipality or geographically defined community. 4Culture facilitates a regional network and bi-monthly meetings of more than 22 LAA's including both well-established and developing agencies. These meetings provide an opportunity for participating agencies to share resources, knowledge, expertise and innovative avenues for collaboration.
Market the Arts Task Force
For the last 15 years, King County marketers have convened monthly to share the latest tips and ideas in arts marketing. The taskforce addresses current trends and techniques related to promoting the arts in our region. 4Culture regularly attends meetings and serves as a fiscal umbrella for the membership organization.
Northwest Public Art PAC
Beginning in 2010 Public Art administrators throughout the region have met to discuss emerging trends in public art and share information about commissioning artwork and maintaining public collections. Participants share best practices and online resources and representatives report to the Public Art Network governing body with Americans for the Arts. For more information contact Tina Hoggatt at 206 205.5436
The South King County Cultural Coalition was born over a community luncheon hosted by King County Councilmember Julia Patterson in March 2004 to discuss the artistic and cultural vitality of South King County. SoCoCulture is comprised of more than 60 organizations, which have joined forces to promote and preserve arts and heritage in the vibrant communities south of Seattle. 4Culture provides annual support to maintain the coalition website and in 2008 committed to help fund a part-time staff position for the growing organization.
Representing and serving all types and sizes of museums statewide, the Washington Museum Association encourages and facilitates the use and development of the highest professional standards; endorses museums as community partners in education; and acts as a clearing house and communication network for information relevant to the museum field. 4Culture is represented on the organization's board.
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide nonprofit, founded in 1976 to safeguard Washington's historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration and stewardship. 4Culture staff participate in WTHP events and conferences, and attend the National Preservation Advocacy Day in Washington DC.
