In an effort to help unite Bellevue's diverse residents, the city has been researching for several years the possible development of a cross-cultural center that will bring people together around shared intercultural experiences. This effort launched in the fall of 2023, with residents sharing their visions for a Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls, where events take place around the city.
These experiences will be designed around active intercultural engagement, learning and exchange. The intent is to create interactions between people and groups from different racial, ethnic, cultural and other backgrounds.
Studies between 2018 and 2022 showed community support for cross-cultural programming in Bellevue, and that such programming should be “community-led, city-supported” – directed by local organizations with support from city staff and resources.
RFP for Cross-Cultural Projects
The city is seeking proposals for cross-cultural projects from local nonprofits, businesses and other organizations. The public is invited to submit a project proposal by 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. (Please note deadline extension - previously March 8.)
Request for Cross-cultural Project Proposals
Starting in April and May, the city will contract with successful organizations to host cross-cultural events and workshops in locations across the City. This pilot project will continue through May 2025. The project contracts will range from $2,500 to $15,000.
Other Resources
List of Bellevue Facility and Venue Rentals
Get Involved in a Cross-Cultural Project
Are you interested in getting involved in the Cross-Cultural Center without Walls but don’t have a project in mind that you want to lead? Maybe you have a skill or resource you’d like to lend to an existing project? If that sounds like you, we invite you to fill out this short form. We will do our best to connect you with a cross-cultural project that would benefit from your participation.
Planning
A new, stand-alone facility for cross-cultural programming could take years to plan and finance, and is not part of the city’s short-term plans. In the meantime, the city is moving forward to create cross-cultural programming in partnership with a variety of cultural stakeholders as the cross-cultural center without walls travels throughout the city.
Workshops
Community members joined in the planning of the Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls at three workshops in the fall of 2023.
At the first community workshop, on Sept. 19, participants contributed many ideas for activities and programs they would like to experience at the traveling center (video of meeting). Participants at the second workshop identified ideas and themes they believed are most important for the Cross-Cultural Center without Walls.
At the third and final workshop on Dec. 6, the city shared the summary of findings from the first two workshops, including the key ideas for the Cross-Cultural Center without Walls generated from over 125 participants. Staff also shared information on how to submit a proposal for a cross-cultural project to the city for possible funding opportunities.
Did you miss the workshops but are interested in getting involved? See below for workshop materials.
- Video of Workshop #1 and Project Background
- Draft Summary of Findings and Cross-Cultural Project Scope of Work
- Community Workshop #3 Presentation Slides
- Cross-Cultural Project Planning Tool
History
The 2014 Diversity Advantage Plan envisioned a cross-cultural facility with a mission to “educate, celebrate, challenge and inspire Bellevue to be a welcoming and inclusive community that embraces diversity.”
In 2016, the City Council approved a series of studies to assess the need for cross-cultural programming in Bellevue and explore the feasibility of a cross-cultural center.
- Shaping our Inclusive Future: Cross-Cultural Programming Public Outreach Study (October 2018)
- Cross-Cultural Feasibility Assessment (November 2020)
- Cross-Cultural Feasibility Study Phase 3 Report (May 2022)
The studies, which involved considerable outreach, reflected the thinking and experience of hundreds of diverse Bellevue residents, and concluded there was a strong demand and need for more cross-cultural engagement opportunities here. Furthermore, the studies concluded that this project would need to be community-led, possibly by a local nonprofit organization, and city-supported.
In 2022, the council directed staff to move forward with the development of cross-cultural programming and to explore possible nonprofit partners. Funding for the effort was included in the city's 2023-24 budget.