Bellevue’s strong, creative sector contributes to our economic vibrancy, quality of life, business attraction and talent recruitment. The City of Bellevue Art & Culture Program invests in a robust public arts program and support for cultural organizations. Events and festivals occur throughout Bellevue and the city’s digital creative sector hosts some of the world’s most influential AR/VR and interactive media firms.
BelRed Arts District: The BelRed Arts District was first designated as an "arts village" as part of the 2009 BelRed Land Use Code Update that transformed the vision for BelRed from a light industrial and commercial area into a mixed-use dense urban district. The "arts district" term began to be used because it more closely aligns with the current condition in BelRed – a wide array of arts organizations, businesses, artists, musicians and makers working across the district. The City of Bellevue is invested in bringing the BelRed Arts District vision to life. Visit the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance's website to learn more about the district and how to get involved.
Art on the Grand Connection: Art is an important element of the Grand Connection, a pedestrian corridor to connect Meydenbauer Bay with the Wilburton area through downtown. The project will create new opportunities to activate public space and exhibit Bellevue's wealth of creativity, art and culture as identified in chapter 6 of the Grand Connection plan.
Bellwether: Bellwether is the City of Bellevue's annual contemporary arts festival. Now hosted by the Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE), Bellwether will launch in September 2023, with many activities and happenings around Bellevue. Check out the website for more.
Affiliated with an arts, cultural or heritage nonprofit?
The Eastside Arts and Culture Coalition is a new group of Eastside-based arts and cultural nonprofit organizations that is focused on promoting and advocating for the arts on the Eastside and information sharing across the cultural nonprofit sector. To learn more about the coalition or attend one of their meetings, reach out for details.