My thing over past years around here in this inner city area has been about trying get others (but mainly myself) inspired to vision, dream and take some ownership of our neighborhood, community and city…
Having some sort of creative community space within which to build this kind of energy has been the main challenge.
I've worked on a couple of different proposals and this latest one came about after realizing the potential of some newly vacated Sound Transit properties right along Broadway…might one of these buildings be the temporary (6-9 month) prototype community art/cultural space that then leads into another space somewhere else?
After some discussion with a few folks and getting some tentative group support the following letter was sent off to Sound Transit last month…

May 22, 2008.

Sound Transit Authority,
Seattle, WA.

Dear....,

We are excited to introduce a proposal for the new light rail construction site on Broadway.
Representing a group of local Capitol Hill arts and community organizations we propose temporary use of one of your empty properties along Broadway for an ongoing series of community arts events and cultural conversations.
Our initial programming ideas include multi media and performative installations/investigations of Public Space. What does Space mean to a community? How do we use it? How does a neighborhood define itself by its physical or spatial boundaries? How do public spaces shape a community and define who we are within “community”? What is the role and function of public space in the community psyche? Might we map a psycho-geography of this neighborhood?
Other programming will be curated by artists and local arts organizations on a rotating basis. We will include the convening of cross sections of residents, businesses, artists, practitioners, students, property owners, passers-by, etc. in dialogue around such issues as local identity, the state of the arts and community on the Hill.
We see this as an important opportunity for us in the Capitol Hill community to come together. During this time of enormous growth and change on the Hill and now light rail construction, we have an opportunity for some creative, positive outreach and connection with our community.
By engaging diversity through art we hope to highlight and strengthen a better sense of the Capitol Hill identity and unity at this time. A space made available to us on Broadway will be an incubator for the exchange and development of local ideas and visions, encouraging innovative collaborations, unusual and unique community synergies. Having a venue to focus this energy, to listen to new voices and create new language may also help inform upcoming city planning, such as the Cultural Overlay District and Neighborhood Planning Update; maybe even design considerations for the light rail work.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Michael Dobbie
Capitol Hill Community Council, Studio Current Art Collective

Laura Curry
Artist + Director of Research, Mithun

Josie Davis
Sound Artist + Associate Director, Capitol Hill Arts Center

Adam Sekuler
Northwest Film Forum

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Arts and Entertainment Committee.