Arts Projects Program Supports the Vision of Individuals and Communities Throughout King County

4Culture congratulates the groups and individuals recently awarded a total of $639,985 to create art projects. Awards up to $9,000 will support the creation of projects by 84 individual artists and 68 groups, in all artistic disciplines: media, music, theater, dance, visual and literary.

Through Individual Artist Projects, $300,000 was awarded to 84 artists for projects ranging from visual art exhibitions to theater works, films to music recordings, literary works to dance performances. The peer panel reviewed a total of 302 applications. A full list of funded Individual Projects may be found here. A few examples include:

• Kevin Heutink – 4Culture funding will help support post-production of a documentary film that chronicles the life and times of Seattle’s Squirrelman, who became the face of homelessness when city officials evicted him from his elaborate treehouse on Eastlake.

• Dr. Quinton Morris – 4Culture will offset production expenses of a CD of the three sonatas for violin and keyboard by Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges. “Born into slavery, Saint-Georges excelled through the ranks of racism and classism to become one of the most remarkable and inspirational violinists of the eighteenth century. My goal is to tell his story through his music while preserving his legacy and contributions toward an emerging genre of classical music.”

• Ann Pelo – Taking Root is a series of art workshops and a documentary book aimed at strengthening connections between people, place and food. 4Culture funds will be used towards development, publication and marketing expenses.

• June Sekiguchi – Funding from 4Culture will assist in expenses related to an artist in residency program in Luang Prabang, Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ms. Sekiguchi received an invitation to participate by Prince Somsanith. She plans to will share her residency experience though public presentations and a related exhibition.


Through Groups Arts Projects, $289,985 was awarded to 68 projects, including community art festivals, film festivals, concert series, music recordings, exhibitions, dance, and theater performances. The peer review panels reviewed over 150 applications from groups and organizations. A full list of funded Group Arts Projects may be found here. A few examples include:

• Burien Arts-a-Glow Festival – 4Culture’s support will enable seven artists to create illuminated artwork for the second annual community celebration showcasing the ever-evolving artistic vibrancy of south King County to over 1,000 Burien residents and regional visitors.

• Hindustani Musical Arts of Bellevue – Funds will be used to launch the first annual Parampara Hindustani Music Festival in Bellevue  -  a free event celebrating East Indian music by local artists and their most accomplished students performing sitar, harmonium, santoor, tabla and vocal arrangements. All of the artists and students live, learn and work in King County.

• Joyas Mestizas – With support from 4Culture, and in collaboration with parents and community members, thirty youth will showcase dances from 8 different regions of Mexico, as well as perform a special tribute in remembrance of the centennial of the start of the Mexican Revolution at a community celebration this fall.

Bo Choi, “Pink Dream ” Grocery plastic bag from Chinese market, QFC and Albertson, human size, 2010, Photo by : Ross James