Have you heard?  The PhinneyWood Arts Council is working to create a new Arts & Cultural District right here in North Seattle.  On Thursday, I spoke with Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey, from the Taproot Theater, who is spearheading the effort.

Nathan shared that Phinney Ridge and Greenwood have nearly two dozen community, educational and professional arts organizations, and the neighborhood hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year, including the monthly Art Up Artwalk.  The Phinneywood Arts Council is seeking community input regarding the boundaries for the proposed Arts & Cultural District and the western boundary being considered could go as far as 8th Ave NW, incorporating West Woodland’s NW 65th Business District.

How would this benefit our small business community?

The benefits from the city include wayfinding, busking support, pop-up storefront activations, and incentives for developers to include art space in their projects.  All those people walking through the neighborhood will also enjoy lunch at one of our restaurants, have a beer at one of our pubs, or enjoy a coffee at one of our cafes.  In short, it’s good for business.

NW 65th is a part of the City of Seattle’s Retail Pedestrian District program and being included in the Phinneywood Arts & Cultural District would support the continued improvement of our historic small business district.  Please take the survey below, and on question #3, select an option that includes 8th Ave NW as the western boundary.

• Community Survey Available HERE.

About the City of Seattle’s Arts & Cultural District program

The city’s Arts & Cultural Districts program is dedicated to nurturing and protecting the presence of arts and culture in neighborhoods, and provides public art, wayfinding support, district identification and help with cultural preservation. Current Arts & Cultural Districts include the Central Area and Capitol Hill.