The History of Northwest Art Alliance
Northwest Art Alliance (NWAA) was originally known as Northwest Craft Alliance (NWCA). It was formed by a group of twenty-plus working craftspeople and a few enthusiastic patrons who saw the need for an opportunity to sell their work at an indoor event during the pre-holiday season. The year was 1988. The “founders” each purchased shares in the corporation, established a Board of Directors, and hired an executive director (ED).
The board members and the ED were busy in those days. Applications were on paper and the work submitted for the jury process was in the form of slides. There was none of the automation like Zapplication that make these processes so much easier today. It all began with a Fall show. It was followed by the creation of a Spring show, participation and additional regional shows through the years. The Fall and Spring shows later became known as the “Best of the Northwest”, Seattle’s Premier Art & Fine Craft show.
For many years, Best of the Northwest shows were held in Hangar 27 at Magnuson Park. It would be generous to say that the venue had character - most would characterize it as decrepit - but it was large, in a great location, extremely inexpensive and had plenty of free parking. Ultimately, the space was deemed uninhabitable and closed. As the City discussed its future, NWCA fervently advocated that the space should be restored and dedicated to supporting local art and cultural events. In the end, however, Arena Sports offered the City considerable financial support to restore the hangar for use as an indoor sports center and the decision was made. The closure and subsequent years of restoration had NWCA in search of a new home. The shows entered a bit of a “nomadic” phase as NWCA sought out other amenable venues. Artists and patrons will remember the Seattle Trade Center on Elliott Avenue, the Sears Building in SODO, Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall, the Qwest Field Event Center and others. For artists, there was a need for an affordable space to showcase the art. For patrons, it needed to be well located, easily accessible, with plenty of parking and a pleasing flow. For the organization, it needed to please both constituencies, as well as provide enough space to house the number of artists that could ensure financial viability. Then came the Cruise Ship Terminal - a beautiful new space on the waterfront. It was expensive, somewhat hard to find, had distant parking and it required a very large number of artists to make it a profitable enterprise, and was a one-year unsuccessful test.
Patrons and artists actively lobbied for a return to Magnuson Park. Hangar 30 had just completed its renovation. Upon return in 2014 and in recognition of the smaller venue size, the organization held 2 shows during the holiday season for three years. Though the approach had marginal success, circumstances beyond anyone’s control (weather, bridge closures, and changes in the way patrons were beginning to engage art purchases) contributed to much higher event risk for both artists and the organization. So, the organization set about making a single show of the highest quality, supporting established and emerging artists, in the new hangar its goal. That goal has been achieved with great satisfaction amongst artists and patrons. It not only includes artists from a broader area, but the addition of the Emerging Artist Program has allowed NWAA to provide a mentor and showcase for some of the new talent in the area.
“Best of the Northwest” continues to draw applicants representing all media including fiber arts, ceramics, painting and drawing, woodworking, glass, photography, jewelry, and metalsmithing. A panel of artists and gallery owners uses a blind jury process to determine which of these applicants is accepted to the shows. Representing quality work in a venue open to the public, where folks can meet and talk to the artists is a primary aim - “Art by hands you can shake”. In this way, the public learns about various artistic processes and has the opportunity to purchase art directly. NWAA is promoting education and understanding of the Seattle citizen for the arts; is providing a marketplace for the artist, many of whom are women and minority businesses and is generating income for the city via sales tax and admissions taxes.
10 years ago, the Board set about discussions on the future structure of the organization. Because it was established as a for profit corporation, it was unable to apply for many arts grants or successfully approach corporate sponsors. It was thought that being a non-profit would enable the organization to take advantage of matching gifts offered by employers, reduce its printing costs, apply for grants, attract volunteers, partner with corporations in the community to support the arts, support artists (small and in many cases minority businesses), bring art to the public, educate the public and generate tax dollars. In April of 2010, upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, the shareholders voted to dissolve the for-profit corporation, in favor of creating a non-profit entity and Northwest Craft Alliance became Northwest Art Alliance. The change opened doors for corporate sponsorship from Vulcan and Amazon and allowed for the creation of new events in the South Lake Union area.
Like all community focused organizations, NWAA has a strong desire to give back. For many years, Northwest Art Alliance has partnered with the Preston-Kuppe Guild, which raises funds for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The artists who participate in the shows generously donate works of art to be auctioned off at the guilds’ annual luncheon. This partnership has helped the Guild raise over $1,678,000 for uncompensated care from 2007 - 2019. The guild members are also a staple at the shows, supporting artists with homemade snacks and showcasing the donated artwork. This partnership is one more way that NWAA benefits its community.
Over the years, NWAA has mentored emerging artists, provided established artists with education on various business and marketing skills and tools. It has provided patrons with classes, demonstrations, and education on various artistic processes. It has formed partnerships with art educators and organizations to deepen appreciation of the arts in our community.
2020 was a year of change for NWAA with a structural reorganization, an expanded vision for the future, efforts implemented for increased diversity and plans for show expansion. Obviously, things do not always go as intended with the pandemic putting a hold on many of those actions, and events shifted to new formats. The energy remains high, the creativity still flows freely, but there is no timeline for a return to the original plan.
Northwest Art Alliance weathered the pandemic and came back stronger in 2021 with it first in-person event in 18 months. Since then, the organization has renewed its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. The creation of the current website offers virtual exhibits to spotlight the artwork of remote communities, young artists and people of color. With new grants from foundations like 4Culture and the Illuminated Foundation, NWAA has produced videos to educate and inform artists and patrons alike. NWAA has partnered with PCC Community Markets to open exciting exhibit opportunities for artists to connect to the community at large. With a vibrant board of directors and their recommitment for the future, NWAA continues to look forward by developing new platforms and programs to support a thriving local art community.
Please review Our Mission to see our plans for the future and the NWAA vision for connecting Art and Community. You can help support NWAA in its mission. Learn more about this HERE