ArtsFund in the Community
While the summer months signal the end of ArtsFund’s annual campaign, they also are a time when we like to get out into the community and find creative and fun ways to let people know about the work we do to support over 100 non-profits arts organizations in our region.
The 3rd Annual Arts Night at Safeco Field, a partnership with the Seattle Mariners in celebration of the non-profit arts community in the Puget Sound, was held on June 19. This year’s Arts Night was bigger and better than ever, with over 950 arts supporters turning out for the event. Fans were greeted at the gates in pre-game performances by Music Center of the Northwest‘s contemporary jazz ensemble, Centerpiece, and treated to on-the-spot comedy from Jet City Improv. In the “ArtsZone” on the main concourse, arts groups including Photo Center Northwest, EMP Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Classical KING FM, Seattle Theatre Group and ArtsFund spoke with fans about their work while enjoying the game. Andi Alhadeff, an actor and vocalist appearing in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Grease, belted out a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. For the first time, the event also contributed to ArtsFund’s annual campaign, with nearly $3000 from tickets purchased supporting ArtsFund.
For the second year running, ArtsFund infused creativity into Seafair’s Milk Carton Derby, which took place on July 12 at Greenlake. The ArtsFund Team Challenges, two 45 minute on-site milk carton boat builds requiring innovation and teamwork, were layered with an additional component as teams were encouraged to stylize and adorn their boats with decorative elements provided by Seattle Art Museum – colorful tapes, pipe cleaners, bottle caps, balloons and more! Each build, featuring a total of 11 teams and using over 10,000 milk cartons, was a mad race against the clock and attracted crowds of curious onlookers. When the dust settled, the most creative teams were awarded ticket prize packages provided by ArtsFund beneficiaries. ArtsFund also awarded ticket prize packages to participants in the Showboat Parade in three categories: Youth, Military and General.
Visit the ArtsFund Facebook page for photos from Arts Night at Safeco Field and the Seafair Milk Carton Derby!