SEATTLE CREATES
Introducing monthly workshops at the intersection of Arts, Tech + Creativity
art design tech creativity connection
art design tech creativity connection
SEATTLE CREATES is a creative workforce development initiative designed to do one thing: fuel the creative economy.
Each month, we offer FREE or low-barrier entry cost access to in-person workshops and immersive cross-industry training opportunities that foster and support interdisciplinary careers in Arts, Tech + Creative fields.
Founded in Seattle, we know a thing or two about launching S.T.E.A.M. initiatives. SEATTLE CREATES is a unique outlier, however, in that we have actively integrated 16 Key Creative industry sectors to build out the overall content of this Arts meets Tech workshop series.
Spanning design, arts, tech, dance, music, production, theater, fashion, culinary, and more, our expert speakers, featured artists, off-site field trips, and open studio tours provide the literal and figurative behind-the-curtain peek into Seattle’s dynamic creative scene.
The creative sector drives 18% of Seattle’s GDP. That’s 4x the national average.
Vibrant creative economies shape our city's culture, attract new talent, and inspire current local creatives to continue producing fresh ideas in various capacities. By intentionally focusing our attention on the curation of resources and ongoing opportunities for those working in this vital creative sector of our economy, we can foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and compound growth in Seattle and the surrounding PNW region at large.
When Creatives thrive, so does the greater creative economy.
This underscores the importance of initiatives like ours.
By providing access to practical business education, tangible resources, and professional career path coaching, we are building real world skill sets and creating opportunities for cross-industry collaboration to naturally manifest and drive creativity.
Our workshops are curated to bridge industries, opportunity gaps, and build pathways of access. We are bringing industry to education. In doing so, we wholeheartedly commit to cultivating a more diverse, creative representation in Seattle as we learn from a myriad of humans with different personal experiences at various points in their career paths.
This is how we drive Seattle's economic Renaissance.
What happens when arts + culture are not a priority?
When a creative economy goes unsupported, the overall region faces economic decline, cultural loss, and reduced innovation. Job opportunities shrink, vibrancy fades, and the entrepreneurial spirit wanes. People move away.
Retaining creatives is vital for Seattle's growth and vitality to maintain a 3x jobs multiplier status, recently reported by the City of Seattle in a 2019 Creative Economy report: each new job in a creative industry creates a total of three new local jobs.
The proof is in the data pudding: creatives rely on collaboration and community to get the job done. More than ever before, Seattle can’t afford to lose this momentum. This is where YOU come in.
How can YOU support + engage?
The obvious answer: get involved in our monthly workshops and/or join us on an Open Studio field trip. Better yet, join our community.
SEATTLE CREATES is way more than just a workshop series—we are a collection of humans who you need to know to move your creative projects forward. If we’re being honest, we need you just as much as you need us. And that’s the point. To build this cultural hub, we have to understand and utilize the resources available in our direct vicinity. Then, we can build together from there.
At SEATTLE CREATES, we believe that creativity knows no boundaries—and neither should opportunity. Whether you're an aspiring artist, emerging entrepreneur, savvy technologist, or seasoned professional, we invite you to join us on a monthly journey of discovery, innovation, and endless possibilities.
Together, let's unleash the creative potential of Seattle and shape the future of our city's vibrant creative economy.
Welcome to SEATTLE CREATES—where inspiration meets opportunity.
“Washington state is a world leader in creative sector jobs. Innovation is a key driver of our economy.”
— Mike Fong, Director of WA Department of Commerce
Seattle, let’s connect and create.
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