ASL Interpreters will be present for both the reception and during the program. To request to be seated near an ASL interpreter, please note your request in the Registration Form which will be sent to each guest after ticket purchase.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are provided by McCaw Hall. They may be checked out at the coat check. Note that they work best when the user has a direct line of site to the stage. If you plan to use an ALD, please note this in your Registration Form.

Live Captions: There will be a live open caption system displayed on the large screen on-stage.

Braille Programs will be available. If you would like a braille program, please note your request in the RSVP Confirmation Form which will be sent to each guest after ticket purchase.

Large Print Programs: All programs will be printed in 16+ point font size.

Assistive Listening Headsets are provided by McCaw Hall and there will be a describer for the program portion of the event. If you plan to use Assistive Listening, please note that in your Registration Form.

Wheelchair Seating: There are 29 wheelchair seats available throughout McCaw Hall. If you would like a wheelchair seat, please note that in your Registration Form which will be sent to each guest after ticket purchase.

Transfer Seats have a movable arm for easy transfer from a wheelchair or walker. There are 29 of these available at McCaw Hall. If you would like to be seated in a transfer seat, please note that in your Registration Form.

Caregiver Entry: A complimentary ticket for a caregiver is available upon request. If you would like a complimentary caregiver ticket, please note that in your Registration Form.

Parking: Mercer Street Garage has 48 disabled parking stalls on levels B and C. A covered wheelchair accessible skybridge to McCaw Hall is on level C.

Drop Off: Guests can be dropped off on Mercer Street directly in front McCaw Hall. Use the wheelchair ramp in front of the Phelps Center to reach the building or select “Kreielsheimer Promenade” in the elevator located by the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall entrance on Mercer Street.

Accessible Routes: There will be signage to mark accessible routes from all entrances and from the reception areas to the auditorium.

Restrooms: All public restrooms in McCaw Hall are accessible.

To make this a sensory-friendly event, audience lights will remain at a low level during the performance. People are welcome to move about as needed. A guide to lighting and sound cues that may be overwhelming will be available. If you would like a guide, please visit the Information table at Registration.

Quiet Space: During the pre-networking event from 2-4:00 pm, there will be a quiet space available in the Norcliffe Room. The room is meant to be a place to take a break away from the busyness and crowdedness of the pre-networking event.

Sensory-friendly toys will also be available at the Information table at Registration.

Service and Therapy Animals are allowed and must be kept on a leash. If you will be bringing a service animal, please note that in your Registration Form, which will be sent to each guest after ticket purchase.

Dietary Restrictions: At the reception, a variety of small foods will be available, including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free options.

This year’s Celebration of the Arts will take place from 2:00 – 5:15 pm on Thursday, September 11th at McCaw Hall. Check-in will begin at 2:00 pm with a pre-event reception until 4:00 pm. The program will begin at 4:00 pm and conclude at 5:15 pm. 

McCaw Hall is located 321 East Mercer Street on the north edge of the Seattle Center campus. Public transportation, driving, and parking directions can be found on the McCaw Hall website. The closest parking lot is the Mercer Street Garage directly across from McCaw Hall at 3rd Ave North and Mercer Street. This garage has 48 wheelchair accessible stalls. 

This year there will be a “fund-the-need" paddle raise during the main program in the auditorium. Details regarding giving levels of the paddle raise will be shared as part of the Know Before You Go emails for the event that will be sent to each attendee.

To ensure that your registration process is quick when arriving day of the event, all attendees will be emailed and asked to individually register in advance with the option to opt into the paddle raise. If you do not register for the event in advance, you will be asked whether or not you would like to opt into the paddle raise at the Registration area.

Participation in the paddle raise is not mandatory but a gift at any level is greatly appreciated and makes a direct impact on arts in culture in Washington. All donations help ArtsFund’s mission to support the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking in order to build a healthy, equitable, and creative Washington.

Tickets are now available. The deadline to register is August 31st, 2025. You can get tickets here.

Institutional partners and individuals are welcome to sponsor Celebration of the Arts. To learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits, please view our sponsorship document or email Kaitlin Hurley, Annual Giving Manager, at kaitlinhurley@artsfund.org. 

Yes, there will be networking during the pre-event reception from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Guests of Sponsors and guests as part of Group Seating for Ten will be seated together. Chairs for these groups will be marked with a group logo or name on the auditorium seats. Those who need specific seats for accessibility reasons, e.g. wheelchair access or ASL interpreter visibility, will be assigned seats with up to two seats for a caregiver or family or friend. Everyone else will have general seating where you can sit with whoever you like in any unmarked seats. The doors to the auditorium will open at 4:00 pm and the program will begin at 4:00 pm.  

Please periodically check our website for updates. In addition, ArtsFund staff are happy to share more information or discuss ways to support the “Celebration of the Arts” event. To learn more, please contact Kaitlin Hurley, Annual Giving Manager (kaitlinhurley@artsfund.org).