Judy Pigott, founder of Personal Safety Nets is the organizer behind a plan for a “west side arts district”. As part of the Seattle City’s Office of Arts and Culture initiative to add one cultural arts district per year, KAWS (Kulture and Arts for the Westside) is asking that you join the effort spread awareness of the vibrant artist communities that exist on the Duwamish peninsula.

You can find them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/KAWSSeattle

You can take the City of Seattle's cultural space inventory survey here: http://www.seattle.gov/arts/space/cultural_space_inventory.asp

Their website states:

What is an Arts District?
At its core, an Arts District holds two key purposes, to celebrate the importance and cultural vibrancy that artists and arts organizations bring to our local community, and to leverage the value of the arts-- one of the tools that drives growth and development of a community. This means that we can help shape the future of development and how our community values the unique collection of artists and the diverse cultural groups that make their home in West Seattle.

How is the “West Side arts district” defined?
This is an excellent question – and one that is evolving. We are looking for input and we believe there are natural boundaries, from the beach at Alki to the Duwamish waterway; and toward the south we would draw the line along the city border. The arts corridor would follow along California Avenue including two blocks to the east and west of California. Because of the unique nature of our community, we would leverage arts veins that follow transit routes to reach those groups along the Duwamish, along Alki, 35th Avenue SW, the Delridge and Riverview neighborhoods by South Seattle College and down into South Park.

Make your voice known - Add to the “Heat Map”
The City is gathering data about where arts and artists live in our area. By completing an inventory (your personal data is not collected) you can help communicate the density of the arts on the West Side. The data collected will produce a “heat map” showing where artists work and create their art – this in turn will inform the overall shape of the arts district. Please go to http://www.seattle.gov/arts/space/cultural_space_inventory.asp for more information. Within that site click on ongoing inventory to add your voice.

Why should I get involved?
Creating an arts district will bring attention to the many arts companies and venues on the west side, and will help build a case for tools to preserve them. Building on successful arts districts in other cities, the Seattle City Arts District program could bring shared marketing plans, pole banners and way-finding, along with tools for property developers that can help preserve and create arts spaces in exchange for incentives as part of future growth. The City launched the first arts district in 2014 in Capitol Hill, and we believe that West Seattle should become the second district which will be named in 2015.