Keep Art Alive: The Essential Role of Creative Culture in Seattle

Art and creativity are essential to the fabric of any community. After two years of pandemic-related closures and unpredictable in-person participation at theaters, museums, galleries, music venues and small businesses all over the state, we must ask ourselves; what's next? What have we realized about the essential role that the arts play in our culture, as a community resource, and in our future? How do we sustain our creative character? How can we unite to keep our favorite artists, organizations, and talent thriving in our community?

Longtime Seattle community arts leaders Vivian Philips (Founder of Arte Noir), Greg Lundgren (Director of Museum of Museums), Adam Zacks (Chief Programming Officer, Seattle Theatre Group, Founder of THING and Kevin Sur, (Founder of Artist Home) will discuss these critical questions in the next Civic Cocktail with moderator Mark Baumgarten, Managing Editor at Crosscut.

Segment 1 - Arts

• , Co-host doubleXposure podcast, Editor in-chief of magazine
• , Founder of , Co-producer of New Rising Sun

Segment 2 - Music industry and festivals

• Adam Zacks, Chief Programming Officer, ; Founder of Sasquatch Festival and
• Kevin Sur, former touring musician, music industry professional and the founder of

• , Managing Editor, Crosscut

Civic Cocktail connects elected and community leaders with the public for lively conversations about important issues facing our region. Whether you’re new to the Pacific Northwest, a self-described “civic nerd,” or looking to meet people engaged in their communities, your evening at this beloved program is sure to be friendly, fun, and fascinating. Civic Cocktail’s welcoming and conversational tone is inspired by our Dialogue Across Differences initiative. We hope you can join in person, where the conversation happens over tasty bites and festive libations, but you can still enjoy the experience wherever you are by watching virtually.

• This event is available in-person at Town Hall and virtually on-line. (it will be filmed for both livestream and recording).
• The formal program begins at 6:30 pm (for both virtual and in-person audiences).
• Doors open at Town Hall for in-person at 5:30 pm.
• There will be an approximately 15 minute break between the first and second segment.
• Attendees will be able to submit questions via their smartphones and computers during the event.

Seattle CityClub is a 40-year-old nonpartisan, civics-focused nonprofit, providing a platform for insightful and educational conversations that include a diverse range of perspectives.

Crosscut.com is a nonprofit, publicly supported newsroom. It is part of Cascade Public Media, which also owns and operates KCTS 9, Seattle's PBS station. Cascade Public Media serves the Pacific Northwest and its mission is to inspire a smarter world by committing to exceptional public television programming and local public interest journalism.

We will adhere to Town Hall's current policies on Covid-19. Please check reminder emails for the latest updated requirements before attending in person .

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Town Hall Seattle (and available Virtually on-line), 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, United States