At Gage Academy of Art, we believe that artists are made, not born, and that a high-quality art education is an essential part of a strong, flourishing community. Join us as Gage Academy of Art extends the reach of our mission and reshapes the way our school interacts with the community.
Join Us in Shaping Our Future
In the Summer of 2024, Gage will relocate to a new home in central South Lake Union (SLU), where it can serve a larger, more diverse student body with more transportation options in a modern custom-built arts facility. This strategic move to SLU is the result of a two-year analysis developed by the Board of Directors and staff and instructor leadership to ensure the organization’s future stability and enlarge its reach.
The move to our new downtown location 2105/2107 Westlake Ave is made possible with generous support from Amazon. Amazon provided significant support in the form of rent assistance over a ten-year lease and funds to offset the cost of construction and space improvements. Learn more about the amenities and move details with our FAQ’s or read the recent coverage in the Seattle Times.
You Can Help Take Gage to the Next Level
We need to raise a total of $2.5 million to invest in the expenses associated with relocating and moving to the new main campus—a gorgeous street-level, highly accessible space. The Next Level Campaign funds will be used to upgrade Gage’s technology infrastructure, launch a new brand for Gage, provide teaching artists and staff with competitive benefits and salaries, and increase our tuition assistance resources so that no one is ever turned away due to their economic situation.
Your participation will enable us to bring high-quality art programming and experiences to an even broader, more inclusive community. For more information on the relocation and amenities, please review the Case for Support.
The $2.5 Million Next Level Campaign will support:
Investing in a modern, accessible space centrally located in South Lake Union
+14,000 square feet of studio and classroom space.
Six flexible spaces to house a library, event hall, and conference rooms.
Ensure excellence in both teaching and running our programs by investing in our talented teachers, artists, and staff.
Expand our education reach to students, both online and in-person.
The new location is in a highly visible corner building with easy access to a wide range of public transportation options, onsite free or low-cost parking and charging, and secure bicycle parking.
Gallery and arts lecture space to share student artwork with our community.
Dedicated media room for digital learning and the technology infrastructure to record online classes and a studio to photograph artwork.
Building is fully ADA-compliant, with modern air filtration, fire and safety features, and comfortable temperature controls.
The building is beautiful, with ample natural light and controllable lighting systems for a range of artists’ needs.
Investing in our people and the systems needed to fully operate the school
Our campaign will help us maintain community access to free or low-cost classes, tuition assistance, and scholarships that serve a wide range of beginning and professional artists.
Expand our education reach to students, both online and in-person.
Ensure excellence in both teaching and running our programs by investing in our talented teachers, artists, and staff.
Strengthen our outreach and communication approach with a new, modern Gage brand.
Improve our ability to manage student registration, customer service, and successfully reach our supportive donor community with secure, modern systems and databases.
Maintain community access to free or low-cost classes, tuition assistance, and scholarships that serve a wide range of beginning and professional artists.
Investing in our Seattle community and supporting downtown revitalization
Central SLU location provides lunchtime and after-work programming for returning office workers and evening activities to our downtown streets.
Gage will become a key part of our Seattle revitalization bringing positive energy and community activities to our beautiful city.
Gage is part of the arts community in Seattle, a resource we value, and a community that makes Seattle a great place to live and work.
Gage will join our Seattle culture district neighbors including Cornish College of the Arts, SIFF’s Cinerama, MOHAI, and the Center for Wooden Boats.
Help Us Reach Our Campaign Goal
Together, we will continue to bring our high-quality arts education programming to a larger, more inclusive population. Your donation will bring us one step closer to transforming how we serve our students, instructors & faculty, and staff.
Ways to Give:
To discuss how you can invest in Gage’s next level, contact: Executive Director, Kathleen Allen | allen.k@gageacademy.org | 206.350.7890
To learn about the different ways to give, including cash, donor-advised fund, and stock gifts, Visit Ways to Give.
To complete a Capacity Campaign Pledge Form, click HERE (fillable PDF download).
Donor Recognition:
There will be many opportunities to recognize the profound investments that both philanthropists and the broader community will provide, including named studios, classrooms, meeting rooms, and public gathering spaces and fixtures, as well as a prominent donor recognition area.
Thank you!
Gage Academy of Art is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Federal Tax ID# 91-1992593.
Your donation to Gage is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Gage Academy of Art acknowledges the Coast Salish Peoples as the original inhabitants of this area and connecting waterways. We understand the land that Gage occupies is unceded territory and that today many Indigenous peoples live here and without their stewardship, we would not have access to this space. We honor the Coast Salish Peoples’ sovereignty, rights to self-determination, culture and ways of life. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have called this territory their sacred land. We commit to learning, educating others and repairing the legacy of historically harmful relationships between non-Native and Native peoples in King County. In doing so, we will be honest, and recognize the experiences of Native peoples to include genocide, forced relocation, forced assimilation, and land theft. We also acknowledge Native peoples are survivors, present in today’s world, thriving. We encourage everyone here today to ask themselves: what can I do to support Indigenous communities?
In an effort to be transparent, Gage is contemplating this call to action and re-working how to best support Indigenous communities.