Public Art in a Nutshell
Saturday, April 19
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.
SEATTLE — Seattle ranks first in the nation in the number of arts-related businesses per capita. The city is home to 4,065 arts-related businesses that employ 21,025 people, according to Creative Industries 2008: The 50 City Report released today by Americans for the Arts.
"This study confirms what we in Seattle have known for years. Seattle is a creative capital that attracts creative people and industries which add to our reputation for innovation," Mayor Greg Nickels said. "Arts-related businesses contribute significantly to our economy and quality of life."
Among the nation's 50 most populated cities, Seattle ranked in the top 10 in the three other categories measured by the report. Seattle is eighth in the total number of arts businesses. The city ranked third in arts employees per capita (per 1,000 residents) and finished 10th for the total number of arts employees. The study found Seattle's arts-related businesses and arts employment increased 13.6 percent from 2007. The full report with rankings for all 50 cities is available at: www.AmericansfortheArts.org/CreativeIndustries.
Combining Dun & Bradstreet data and geo-economic analysis, the study tracks and maps the presence of arts-related entities in six creative industries: museums and collections; performing arts; visual arts and photography; film, radio and television; design and publishing; and arts schools and services.
These creative industries range from nonprofit museums, symphonies and theaters to for-profit film, architecture and advertising companies.
"Seattle's creative sector is a cornerstone of economic development and tourism," said Michael Killoren, director of Seattle's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. "We're a national hub of cultural and economic innovation, and our creative edge attracts good companies, skilled workers and visitors."
Arts-centric businesses represent 4.3 percent of all businesses and 2.2 percent of all jobs in the United States, according to the report which underscores the arts as a robust economic growth sector.
"This study supports our mantra that the arts play a significant role in building and sustaining economically vibrant communities," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit arts advocacy organization. "It further supports the need for arts education to fuel the creative industries with arts-trained workers and arts consumers."
The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in communities throughout Seattle. The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.
Here are the participating businesses & artists
Submissions sought for Union Street Electric Gallery
Seattle artists invited to apply for rotating exhibition on face of Seattle City Light substation
Seattle, WA - The Office of Arts &Cultural Affairs seeks submissions from Seattle artists working in two- and three-dimensional media for the Union Street Electric Gallery, a rotating exhibition space on the western face of Seattle City Light's Union Substation. Seattle City Light 1% for Art funds support the exhibition space.
The Union Street Electric Gallery, at Union Street and Western Avenue in downtown Seattle, allows artists to work at a large scale. The size of the image space is 14 feet high and 100 feet long. The gallery features large-scale murals produced on vinyl mesh material. The program commissions finalists annually to produce proposals, from which two artists will receive commissions to show their artwork for six months each. Professional artists with a residence or studio in Seattle may apply.
Five finalists will each receive $750 for their proposals. Two selected artists will receive $2,500 to design and oversee fabrication of their artworks, which will each be installed for six months. A panel of City Light staff and arts professionals will consider strength of past artworks, appropriateness for the setting and artistic diversity.
Applications must be delivered to the Office of Arts &Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17 or postmarked by midnight that day. Only digital images will be accepted for review. The application is available at www.seattle.gov/arts. Those unable to download the application may call (206) 233-3930 or send an e-mail to arts.culture@seattle.gov.
The Union Street Electric Gallery, which enhances the workplace, is a project by the city of Seattle's Public Art Program. The program, established by municipal ordinance in 1973, specifies one percent of city capital improvement project funds be set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of artworks.
The Union Substation is one of many substations that provide consumers with reliable and safe power. Seattle City Light's mission is to provide stable, competitively priced and environmentally sound electricity to customers.
The Office of Arts &Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in and of communities throughout Seattle. The 15-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.
