The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation has announced a commitment of $9 million to eight nonprofit arts and culture organizations in downtown Seattle, with the goal of reenergizing the area. The grants will support a variety of projects across visual arts, theater, film, and improvements to the city’s waterfront, aimed at increasing access and opportunities for audiences and artists. Anh Nguyen, the director of Arts, Youth, and Communities at the Allen Family Foundation, emphasized the importance of a vibrant arts and culture sector in fostering economic growth and community development.
The grants total $9,427,545 over three years and will support organizations such as Base Camp Studios and Common Area Maintenance in Belltown, as well as Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall, Shunpike, SIFF, and Theatre Off Jackson. Funding will help improve artist support and operations, create community-led cultural programming, support public spaces at Benaroya Hall, empower independent artists and arts groups, expand film programs, and enhance programming and audience engagement at historic venues throughout the city.
The City of Seattle has identified enhanced arts and culture opportunities as a key component of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan, which aims to encourage more people to return downtown post-pandemic. The Allen Foundation’s gift aligns with this goal of improving and increasing engagement with the arts in downtown Seattle. Jon Scholes, president and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, highlighted the significant contribution of the arts and culture sector to the city’s creative fabric and economic vitality, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Established in 1988 by Paul G. Allen and his sister Jody Allen, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports various areas, including arts and culture, science and technology, and bioscience research. Over the years, the foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants to 180 arts and culture organizations in Seattle. Allen was a longtime supporter of organizations like SAM, SIFF, and the Seattle Symphony, and the foundation continues to back arts-related projects across Washington state. Recent support includes Seattle Children’s Theatre, Wing Luke Memorial Foundation, and the Seattle Foundation, among others.
Paul G. Allen’s passion for the arts was evident in his founding of the Museum of Pop Culture, restoration of the Cinerama movie theater, and launch of events like the Seattle Art Fair and Upstream Music Festival. The foundation has also collaborated with organizations like ArtsFund to provide funding to arts and culture organizations across Washington, with recent grants benefiting over 800 organizations. Works from Allen’s collection have been featured at the Seattle Art Museum, and an auction of pieces from his collection raised a record $1.62 billion in 2022.
Despite Allen’s passing nearly six years ago, the foundation continues to support the arts in Seattle and beyond, reflecting his commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the community. The recent grants will help revitalize downtown Seattle, contribute to economic growth, and create new opportunities for artists and audiences to engage with the arts. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation’s investments in the arts underscore the importance of supporting cultural institutions and creative endeavors for the benefit of the entire community.
