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Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

7400-00. Office of Arts and Culture

 Record Group
Identifier: 7400-00
In 1971, a city ordinance established the Seattle Arts Commission (SAC) to promote development of and public interest in the arts, as well as to advise the city on cultural and artistic development. The fifteen-member body replaced a predecessor agency, the Municipal Arts Commission, and staff support was originally provided by the Seattle Center. The Commission was given cabinet-level status in the city government in 1976. In 2002, a reorganization abolished the existing SAC, created a new Seattle Arts Commission made up of volunteers and a new city Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs (OACA), and divided the functions of the old SAC between the two new organizations. The current commission is comprised of 16 citizen volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council. OACA was brought into the Executive Department in 2013 and its name was changed to the Office of Arts and Culture. The department supports arts groups, community festivals, and neighborhood arts councils; funds and promotes public art, and promotes Seattle as a cultural destination. It also oversees the One Percent for Art program (one of the nation’s first), where one percent of Seattle’s capital improvement project funds are reserved for public art. Since the program began in 1973, it has acquired nearly 3,000 artworks.

Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:

Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs Annual Reports

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 7401-01
Abstract

Annual reports from Seattle's city department focused on arts and culture.

Dates: 2003-2013

Public Art Development Records

 Series
Identifier: 7408-01
Abstract

Records relating to public art projects funded by the City.

Dates: 1977-2014; Majority of material found within 1992-2007

Seattle Arts Newsletter

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 7400-04
Abstract

Newsletter published by the Seattle Arts Commission.

Dates: 1977-2002

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute Posters

 Series
Identifier: 7420-03
Abstract

A collection of posters advertising events at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle.

Dates: 1986 - 2023

Office of Arts and Culture Director’s Records

 Series
Identifier: 7406-04
Abstract

Records from the directors of the Office of Arts and Culture.

Dates: 2002-2010; 2016-2020

Seattle Arts Commission Director's Records

 Series
Identifier: 7401-02
Abstract

Director John Blaine's records for the Seattle Art Commission, encompassing the Allied Arts Committee and the Alliance for Arts Education. Includes proposals, meeting minutes, correspondence, event information and budget/funding records.

Dates: 1970-1975

Bumbershoot Festival Records

 Series
Identifier: 7405-01
Abstract

Records documenting the Seattle Arts Commission's management of the first several years of the Bumbershoot arts festival.

Dates: 1970-1985

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute Director’s Records

 Series
Identifier: 7420-01
Abstract

Records of the Executive Director.

Dates: 2009-2015

Seattle Arts Commission and Municipal Art Commission Annual Reports

 Series
Identifier: 1802-I2
Scope and Contents note

Annual reports of the Seattle Arts Commission and its predecessor organization date from 1956 to 1984; researchers should note there is a gap from 1962 to 1980. Early reports discuss goals of the Commission and actions taken. Reports from the 1980s include organization charts, descriptions of the One-Percent-For Art projects, the Artists-in-the-City Program, and the Neighborhood Arts Program, among others.

Dates: 1956-1995

Seattle Arts Commission Publications

 Series
Identifier: 7400-02
Scope and Contents note

Newsletters and brochures produced by the Commission.

Dates: 1973-2002

Seattle Arts Commission Meeting Materials

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 7400-03
Abstract

Minutes from meetings of the Seattle Arts Commission.

Dates: 1972-2024

Seattle Arts Commission Posters and Flyers

 Series
Identifier: 7403-04
Scope and Contents note

Promotional posters for festivals and exhibits sponsored on City-owned property including the Bumbershoot Festival and Public Art Space exhibitions. Flyers of public art and culture walking maps for Downtown and the University District are cataloged separately in the Map Index.

Dates: 1978-1991

Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs Public Art Photographs

 Series
Identifier: 7406-01
Abstract

Photographs of public art projects around Seattle, as well as photos supporting artists' applications to be a part of the "In Public: Seattle 1991" project.

Dates: 1980-1991

Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs Digital Photographs

 Series
Identifier: 7406-03
Abstract

Photographs of the Mayor's Awards for Excellence.

Dates: 2005-2009

Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs Audio Recordings

 Series
Identifier: 7407-01
Scope and Contents note

Selections from Seattle Presents: Live concerts at city Hall, audio tours, and other items.

Dates: 2006-2008