Over the last decade, Seattle has turned into one of the fastest-growing cities in America in terms of our population and economy. From Ballard to Rainier Beach, theatres have become bars, thrift stores have become temporary performance spaces, and barren storefronts have become opportunities to display artists’ work.
For some, the change is a gift – for others, a curse. In conjunction with
Gift City: A Project by Keller Easterling, currently on view at the Henry, this conversation specifically addresses the issue of affordable and equitable housing and work space for artists.
A group of guest panelists will offer insights and discuss how artists can leverage Seattle’s growth into opportunity:
Sam Farrazaino has developed more than 200,000 square feet of artist workspace, with a mission to facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable arts and cultural spaces, and to support the communities that sustain those spaces.
Shannon Halberstadt, Executive Director at Artist Trust, has been working in arts leadership for over two decades, including previous leadership roles include Executive Director at Spokane Arts, The Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs), and The Vera Project.
Allison Eltrich is the co-founder of Practice Space Seattle.
Vivian Phillips Chairs the Seattle Arts Commission and is Director of Marketing and Communications for Seattle Theatre Group. A native Seattleite, Vivian has over 20 years of arts management and advocacy experience.
Michael Seiwerath, Director of Community Programs and External Relations at Capitol Hill Housing, has been developing arts space in Seattle for 20 years.
Cathryn Vandenbrink is an artist housing advocate and developer working with Artspace Projects of low-income artist housing in Seattle (Tashiro Kaplan Artist Lofts, Artspace Hiawatha Lofts, and Artspace Mt. Baker Station Lofts).
