"Things Are Changing..."
Letter from Kathleen Allen, Executive Director | April 7, 2025
That’s something we often hear these days. Many changes in recent months have caused confusion and concern. It is difficult to keep track of and understand how this new presidential administration will impact our lives and the lives of those we care about.
At Gage, we are committed to ensuring our mission is not changing. The opportunity to learn to make art will also always be available to everyone. Valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as vital to a healthy workplace and artistic community remains a core value of Gage. We are actively seeking ways to create and maintain an environment where every artist is seen, valued, and empowered to pursue their creative journey.
We remain committed to inclusivity and accessibility.
Gage supports all students – from someone handling a paintbrush for the first time to the seasoned artist. No students are turned away. Initiatives like our tuition assistance program help break down financial barriers to taking classes. Our team remains focused on enhanced physical accessibility in our locations in South Lake Union and Georgetown, while enriching our teaching approaches for learners of a range of backgrounds.
Far from falling back, our faculty and staff are launching a revitalized effort of training and connecting on the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will not shy away from challenging conversations about race, gender, and socio-economic status and how we can dismantle the barriers to access that occur because of these factors. This is a commitment that I, our Gage Team, and the Gage Board of Trustees make to the Gage community. As the Gage Board President, Erik Haroldson affirms:
↵ ↵ ↵ ↵
"In these times of so much chaos and uncertainty, the Gage board and staff want to state openly that our Mission, Vision, and Values have not changed. Gage is and will continue to be a welcoming place for all people, as we have always been since our founding over 35 years ago. We will continue to work hard to educate, enrich, and transform our community through the visual arts.
Changing times can be unsettling and disruptive, creating uncertainty and anxiety as everyone works to understand the changes and their potential impacts on our community. Please know that we are closely monitoring events, policies, or changes to any local and federal laws, and working to understand their possible impacts on our community and school. We are committed to supporting our Gage community while navigating this difficult terrain."
- Erik Haroldson, Gage Board President
Artists can play a vital role in these times of change.
Artists respond to current events but also hold steady a vision that is rooted in the long arc of human experience, enabling us to find mutual understanding through art. Through art-making, we focus on individual introspection and reflection while also engaging our communities in new and compelling ideas and movements that pave the way for change.
There is clearly a need to connect through art.
Enrollment in classes, workshops, and ateliers has increased by 12% over the last year. We welcome many new people through public events and our new After-Hours series. We are strengthening our ties in the community by developing partnerships with other non-profit and arts institutions, including MOHAI, Mary’s Place, Seattle Art Museum, and civic organizations. We are proud to be even more deeply invested in the diverse and vibrant Equinox artistic nexus of Georgetown.
Staying true to our mission.
We live in a time of uncertainty and much of the changes happening at this moment is concerning and scary for many of us. However, I know that moments like these are exactly when we need to hold true to our values and reinforce that the arts are a positive driver in our community, helping us connect and sustain during these challenging times. At Gage, with all of you, we are here to live out our mission to educate, enrich, and transform our community through the visual arts.
Kathleen Allen
Executive Director, Gage Academy of Art