ArtsFund

A new report from Allen Family Philanthropies and SMU DataArts, shows that ongoing, flexible funding strengthens organizations’ capacity and infrastructure. Thanks to unrestricted funding from the Community Accelerator Grant, a partnership between ArtsFund and Allen Family Philanthropy, arts and cultural organizations in Washington have the financial freedom to cover daily expenses, keep their programs running, and plan for long-term impact.

Are you looking for ways to grow your own arts community in Seattle? Come to Arts 101! on Thursday, October 22, 2026. You’ll have the chance to meet fellow arts lovers, connect with professionals from different arts organizations, and discover what hidden gems the Puget Sound arts scene has to offer.

📍: Fremont Brewing Brewing's Urban B**r Garden, 1050 N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103
⏰: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
🔗: https://www.artsfund.org/artsfundvisionaries/

Photo by Jim Levitt, courtesy of Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra

Arts 101! returns this fall, and we can’t wait to reconnect with our vibrant local creative community. Come grab a c***r with us and hear from an inspiring panel of voices from film, dance, theatre, culture and heritage, music and opera, visual arts, and literary arts, and learn more about the behind-the-scenes work that goes on in their programming.

📅: October 22, 2026
📍: Fremont Brewing‘s Urban B**r Garden, 1050 N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103
⏰: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
🔗: https://www.artsfund.org/artsfundvisionaries/

Photos by Aaron Merritt

ArtsFund wants to acknowledge the passing and celebrate the life of Faye Sarkowsky.

Faye was a true leader and trailblazer. Faye was the first female president of Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organizations (PONCHO); the first female chair of The 5th Avenue Theatre; a founding member of the Washington Women’s Foundation; and a member of ArtsFund’s board and Advisory Council. She was an instrumental figure at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), serving as President of the Board and helping with key fundraising efforts, including several phases of SAM’s capital campaigns. Faye’s impact on the arts extended beyond Seattle. Faye served on the Collectors Committee at the National Gallery of Art, was a member of the advisory board at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at the Palm Springs Art Museum is named in her honor. In 2007, ArtsFund had the pleasure of honoring her and her husband, Herman, with the ArtsFund Community Achievement Award. Faye and Herman’s generosity and vision have helped make Seattle a place filled with great art and compassion. Their contributions to the cultural and civic life of our community will be felt for generations to come, and we hope their legacy will continue to inspire many others.

Meet Annie (she/her/hers), our new Institutional Giving Manager!

Annie brings extensive nonprofit fundraising and institutional giving experience from several Seattle arts organizations. She has worked as an actor and director in the Seattle area for more than 35 years. Her leadership experience includes serving as Artistic Director of Seattle Public Theater and Interim Artistic Director of ArtsWest. Her work has been seen at Union Arts Center, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Book-It Repertory Theatre, and Seattle Public Theater, Kennedy Center for the Arts among many others. As a working artist, Annie is passionate about advancing ArtsFund’s mission to support arts and culture across Washington State.

We hope you had a wonderful time at Celebration of the Arts!

It was great to see everyone engaging in lively conversation and enjoying our cultural community! Thank you to our keynote speaker, Erin Harkey, as well as to our incredible Cultural Partners who were part of our program, including The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA and the The 5th Avenue Theatre!

And finally, thank you to our Board, supporters and volunteers for making this event possible - ArtsFund can do what we do because of your support!

Photos by Alabastro Photography

We are so grateful to our amazing hosts for this year's Celebration of the Arts. Your support helps ArtsFund offer valuable resources and opportunities to arts and culture organizations. We look forward to celebrating with you soon. Thank you again!

*Hosts as of 9/7/26

Campbell & Company Northwest
LMN Architects
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Seattle Arts & Lectures
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Children's Theatre
Seattle Opera
Stoel Rives LLP

We have 1 WEEK LEFT until Celebration of the Arts. 🎉

We hope you're ready to network with arts and culture leaders in the Greater Seattle area, enjoy vibrant performances from The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA and The 5th Avenue Theatre, and get a chance with Americans for the Arts CEO, Erin Harkey.

Join us in supporting the arts and cultural ecosystem and tag your friend who you're going with in the comments. 👇

Photo by Alabastro Photography
Photo by Cesar Cabrera, courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre
Photo by Paul Quackenbush, courtesy of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA

We want to thank our amazing sponsors for supporting this year's Celebration of the Arts. We’re glad you’re joining us to celebrate Washington’s arts and culture community. Your support gives vital, flexible funding to organizations of all sizes and artistic backgrounds, helping them put resources where they’re needed most. Thank you again for making a difference.

*sponsors as of 9/7/26

Microsoft
Amazon.com
Columbia Bank
Delta Dental of Washington
Sellen Construction
Allen Family Philanthropies
K&L Gates LLP
Mithun
Port Gamble S'Klallams
PrintWest
Punch Drunk

Previous Community Accelerator Grantee Underground Writing's mission is to unlock creativity through writing workshops and voice amplification for at-need and underrepresented students, to assist in the restoration of communities, the imagination, and individual lives.

One of their standout programs is re/vision, a one-on-one creative writing apprenticeship for people who are currently incarcerated. Mentoring happens through mailed letters and feedback, led by working writers, MFA students, and editors. Participants receive detailed feedback, writing tips, guided readings, and basic grammar tutorials.

To learn more about re/vision and other creative writing opportunities they have, visit https://undergroundwriting.org/our-story.

Photo courtesy of Underground Writing