Seattle Nonprofits Receive Nearly $7 Million to Boost Youth Engagement in the Arts
A significant investment in Seattle’s cultural future is taking shape at Seattle Center, the city’s most visited arts and cultural hub. Allen Family Philanthropies has announced nearly $7 million in grants to eight Seattle nonprofits, all focused on expanding arts access, opportunities, and engagement for young people. This three-year funding initiative represents a strategic commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists, audiences, and arts advocates in the Pacific Northwest.
The grant recipients span diverse artistic disciplines but share a common mission to make the arts more accessible and relevant to youth. KEXP, Seattle’s beloved independent radio station, will receive $879,700 to expand its youth DJ programs, all-ages events, and live music gatherings in its Gathering Space. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) plans to use its $696,176 grant to develop a residency program offering free, culturally relevant learning experiences for young people. Meanwhile, the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) will transform its annual festival into year-round film education and mentorship opportunities with $480,882 in funding. These investments recognize the importance of meeting young people where they are—creating programming that speaks to their interests while providing meaningful pathways into artistic expression and potential careers.
Performance arts organizations are also receiving substantial support to develop young talent. Pacific Northwest Ballet secured $1,250,000 to unify its emerging artist programs into a comprehensive choreographic dance initiative, increasing engagement for artists aged 10-26 and expanding community performances. In an innovative partnership, Seattle Repertory Theatre and Seattle Children’s Theatre will share $1,320,000 to co-produce main stage shows specifically designed for teen audiences and their families. These investments acknowledge the vital role of performing arts in youth development, offering technical training, professional experience, and shared cultural experiences that build community and understanding across generations.
Some of the funded projects will reimagine physical spaces to better serve diverse audiences. Pacific Science Center will use $997,632 to connect arts and culture with science through installations commissioned from Pacific Northwest Indigenous artists and a new artist-in-residence program. The Vera Project, Seattle’s iconic all-ages music and arts venue, will receive $994,600 to launch “All Ages / All Access,” featuring concerts, gallery openings, and creative workforce development by and for young people. Both initiatives demonstrate how arts spaces can be transformed to become more inclusive and representative of the communities they serve, while preparing young people for careers in creative industries through hands-on experience and mentorship.
Increasing access remains a central theme across all funded projects, with TeenTix receiving $250,000 to support a new Teen Connectors program in partnership with Seattle Center arts venues. This program will address barriers that prevent teenagers from engaging with arts experiences, recognizing that developing future audiences requires intentional outreach and accommodation. “By investing in arts organizations that engage young people, we invest in the creators, audiences, and advocates who will contribute to and sustain a vibrant arts and culture sector in Seattle for years to come,” explained Anh Nguyen, director of arts, youth and community for Allen Family Philanthropies. “These organizations excel at engaging young artists and young audiences—and know how to ignite curiosity.”
This latest round of funding continues the Allen Family Philanthropies’ substantial commitment to arts and culture in the Seattle region. Founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen and his sister Jody Allen in 1988, the foundation has previously directed $9 million to downtown arts organizations and established the Community Accelerator Grant Program, which has awarded $30 million to 930 arts and culture organizations across Washington state in the past three years. As Seattle Center welcomes over 12 million visitors annually, these grants promise to enhance its role as the Pacific Northwest’s premier cultural destination while ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have meaningful opportunities to create, experience, and shape the arts landscape for generations to come. Through this comprehensive approach to funding youth arts initiatives, Allen Family Philanthropies is helping to build both the artists and audiences of tomorrow.
