Arts and culture are the soul of the city. It can bring people together, build bridges to cultural understanding and provide a sense of community identity and possibility.
The mission of Bellevue's Arts Program is to encourage and support the arts as a vital part of community life. We foster Bellevue’s cultural development through public art, grants to local artists and organizations and cultural planning. We collaborate with the Bellevue Arts Commission, community groups and various departments throughout the city and invite you to participate in our work.
Plans and Initiatives
From time to time, the city develops strategic plans to guide Bellevue's investment in arts and culture. Cultural Compass, our arts and culture master plan, was completed in 2004, and Creative Edge, our creative economy strategy, was completed in 2018.
Creative Edge
The City of Bellevue seeks to create a thriving creative sector and provide support for arts and culture, as well as the strategic partnerships and opportunities to integrate and embed individual artists, cultural organizations, and creative firms as fixtures in Bellevue’s economy and civic life.
Creative Edge Bellevue explored how the arts, culture, and creative sectors contribute to Bellevue’s community and economy. The final report found that our area's "creative edge" lies at the intersection of arts and culture, creative learning, and technology. A detailed strategy to capitalize on these strengths was presented to City Council in June.
Final Documents
- Creative Edge - Final Report (May 2018)
- Creative Edge - Final Strategy (May 2018)
Grand Connection Arts
Art will be an important element to 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. Arts and culture are featured in chapter 6 of the Grand Connection plan.
Cultural Compass
Adopted in 2004, Bellevue's cultural plan, Cultural Compass: A Strategic Vision for the Arts & Culture, is designed to provide you with a road map for how you can help turn Bellevue into a cultural destination. The plan provides direction in the areas that impact cultural vitality, including:
- cultural organizations and artists
- cultural economic and business development
- cultural diversity
- cultural education
- cultural facilities
- public art
- cultural resources
- administrative infrastructure at the city
We hope you find it useful as you plan your programs and cultural investments.