Partners

The Creative Advantage is transforming Seattle Public Schools to prioritize and better support K-12 arts learning for all students. We work in collaboration with principals and schools’ arts teams to ensure learning that emphasizes development and assessment of 21st-century skills, is sequenced consistently, and utilizes and leverages community arts partnerships and investments most effectively. We are implementing a coordinated governance structure with measurable goals, and evaluating collective impact.

Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Public Schools is the largest K-12 school system in Washington State, serving more than 50,000 students in 95 schools. SPS is committed to ensuring equitable access, closing the opportunity gaps, and excellence in education for every student so that every Seattle Public Schools student receives a high-quality, 21st-century education and graduates prepared for college, career, and life.

Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture envisions a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences. Through The Creative Advantage, the Office of Arts & Culture supports school-community arts partnerships, maintains an active list of community arts partners to work in school and out-of-school contexts, and leads the coordination of a multi-year evaluation of arts education and student success.

The Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation’s mission is to ignite powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. The Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for Creative Advantage.

City-wide Partners That Are Helping Make This Work

ArtsEd Washington

Supporting regional and school-based arts planning in SPS

Arts Corps

Partnering with SPS arts teachers on teaching and assessing 21st Century Skills

Arts Impact

Providing a model for K-5 integrated arts professional development

Seattle Art Museum

Designing a professional development series for teaching artists and community organizations

Supporters

Seattle Arts Commission

The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the Office of Arts & Culture. Commission members include artists, arts professionals, and other citizens with diverse backgrounds and strong links to Seattle’s arts community.

Seattle Music Commission

The SMC pledges to continue Seattle’s great musical tradition through concrete and impactful interactions with local government, communities, and individuals. This Commission was established in June 2010 and is comprised of 21 members from our diverse and expansive music industry.