The Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, colloquially known as ARTS, isn’t just another faceless municipal funder. Instead, it’s got its fingers in the pot of cultural creativity, backing an eclectic mix of projects to the tune of about $13 million a year across Seattle, as reported by Art Beat Seattle. Go to a show or an art gallery in the city, and you might notice the A&C logo, a purple hallmark of ARTS-funded initiatives.

When funding for the arts is limited, community selection panels play a crucial role in deciding who gets the money. These panelists sift through numerous proposals and select a few to receive support. To ensure fairness, they are compensated at competitive hourly or per diem rates, recognizing the importance of their work in promoting equity in the arts, the Office of Arts & Culture noted.

Before they get down to business, panelists are put through an orientation that’s more than just a meet-and-greet. They talk through the nitty-gritty of implicit bias, the fine line between equity and equality and the balancing act between propping up emerging artists and giving a nod to the industry stalwarts. “The orientation reveals vulnerability, which builds connection and trust,” Chase asserted, describing a setting that fosters decorum even when opinions clash, as quoted by Art Beat Seattle.

Lorna Velasco, a respected theater producer in Filipino arts, transitioned to grant proposal reviewer after successfully securing funding in the 2010s. Her role on panels for the Arts in Parks Program and Neighborhood and Community Arts Grants showcases ARTS’s commitment to involving experienced artists in shaping Seattle’s cultural future.