Today marks an exciting chapter for Seattle’s arts and culture landscape as the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced a transformative $9 million in grants to eight downtown organizations. Friends of Waterfront Park is proud to be the largest recipient, securing $5 million over the next three years to support community-led cultural programming at Seattle’s new 20-acre Waterfront Park, opening in the spring of 2025.
A Vision for Seattle’s Waterfront
Waterfront Park is not just a new public space—it’s a once-in-a-generation civic project designed to reconnect Seattle with its waterfront, downtown, and diverse communities. The park will serve as a dynamic cultural hub, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest through arts, culture, and community-driven events.
In reflecting on this milestone, Joy Shigaki, President and CEO of Friends of Waterfront Park, said, “After over 15 years in the making, we find ourselves at a historic moment in Seattle. Where a 1950s double-decker highway once stood, we are creating a place of reconnection to downtown, the Salish Sea, green spaces, neighborhoods, and one another.”
View of Pier 62, Overlook Walk, and Seattle’s Waterfront. Photo by Erik Holsather.
Why Now?
As Seattle continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, revitalizing downtown’s arts and culture sector is critical. Since late 2020 when Pier 62 opened, Friends of Waterfront Park has piloted over 100 events annually. This $5 million investment from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, part of the comprehensive $170 million dollar Campaign for Waterfront Park, enables us to build on that success and ensure that arts, culture, and community experiences are front and center as we prepare for the park’s grand opening in 2025.
“A vibrant arts and culture sector is critical for our economy and an essential element of any thriving community,” said Anh Nguyen, director of Arts, Youth, and Communities at the Foundation. “As a Seattle-based foundation, we value our neighbors—the local venues, artists and creators—who share this community with us, and we support audience access to a range of experiences that increase perspective-taking, cultural understanding, and community connection.”
Lunar New Year celebrations on Pier 62.
Centering Community and Culture
This grant will support vibrant, diverse, and accessible cultural programming that centers equity and belonging. Friends is committed to creating a space where Seattle’s diverse communities can see themselves reflected and celebrated.
Spotlight at Waterfront Park featuring Khmer Amarak on Pier 62. Photo by Jo Cosme
“Building a place of belonging requires intentionality and a commitment to equity so the many diverse communities of Seattle can feel that Waterfront Park belongs to them,” said Shigaki.
Examples of Friends’ programming include the continuation of Indigenous-led events, wellness initiatives like Sunday Zumba classes, and our Promenade Pop-ups, a pilot program that showcases BIPOC-owned businesses along the park’s promenade.
Zumba Master summer classes on Pier 62, hosted by We Move To Give.
Looking Ahead
As we move toward the park’s grand opening in 2025, the Cultural Masterplan, developed with nearly 150 community members in 2024, will continue to guide programming. And when Seattle hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026, Waterfront Park will serve as a vibrant gathering space for visitors from around the world.
This $5 million investment from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is a recognition of Waterfront Park’s potential to catalyze downtown Seattle’s future as a cultural and community hub. With an anticipated 15 million visitors annually, the park is set to become a beacon of arts, culture, and connection.
We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support and look forward to welcoming you to Waterfront Park in 2025.