Several Central District organizations will receive thousands of dollars from the city’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, the mayor announced last week. In total, the city announced $150,000 in funding for needed facilities maintenance and upgrades at arts institutions around town.

Pratt Fine Arts Center will get $10,000 from the city to upgrade it’s security lighting and to add signage for the somewhat hidden center in Pratt Park. Reel Grrls will receive $6,000 to soundproof its media lab. The Northwest African American Museum will get $11,250 for HVAC and electrical wiring work. The James and Janie Washington Center at 26th and Denny will receive $7,500 for roof and furnace replacements.

Details from the Mayor’s Office:

Mayor McGinn has announced new funding for cultural facilities. This new pilot program supports Seattle-based arts, heritage, cultural and arts service organizations with urgent-need, facilities-based capital projects, including facility renovations or completing the final phase of new facilities. A total of $150,000 will be distributed to 14 organizations to support projects such as adding an ADA access entryway, roof and furnace replacements, HVAC and wiring updates, and exterior security lighting. In all cases, the majority of funding for the facility’s capital project was in place before organizations were able to apply to this program. 

“Arts space revitalizes our neighborhoods, boosts our economy and invites civic engagement,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “With this program, we hope to help preserve valuable facilities in our community.”

Projects range in size and scope. Jack Straw Foundation, a non-profit multidisciplinary audio arts center, will add an ADA-access entryway to their University District site with $25,000, while Pratt Fine Arts Center will utilize their $10,000 award to add security lighting and fencing and improve signage. SouthEast Effective Development, a non-profit community development organization in Southeast Seattle, will add a $5,000 ADA elevator. $15,000 goes to The Center for Wooden Boats to improve the exterior lighting on their campus.

A total of 14 partners received funding ranging from $3,250 to $25,000. For a complete list of funded organizations, visit the Cultural Facilities web page at:

http://www.seattle.gov/arts/funding/cultural_facilities_partners.asp

Projects will take place and be completed between September 2012 and December 2013.

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs supports the health and vitality of our city by providing access to arts and culture, advancing the role of artists in our community, and advocating for issues affecting the entire cultural community. The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.