Mayoral Arts Forum

In advance of the primary election on August 3, a coalition of arts organizations are hosting a forum for the mayoral candidates.

The Seattle Mayoral Candidate Arts forum will take place on July 22 at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, from 6–8 pm, but be accessible to the public online.While the event will be in-person for candidates, there will be no in-person audience, save for media and event organizers. Long-time arts advocates Vivian Phillips and Marcie Sillman will moderate.

Please click the “Tickets” link to register to hear from the candidates themselves about their ideas, hopes, and plans for post-pandemic arts recovery and how the creative industries can play a part in Seattle’s sustainable development.

Coalition Partners

Seattle Arts Commission, Seattle City of Literature, Seattle’s Arts and Cultural Districts, CD Forum & the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Frye Art Museum, Hugo House, Indigenous Peoples Institute, Inspire Washington, Jack Straw Cultural Center, KEXP, La Sala, Langston Seattle, Northwest Film Forum, Northwest Folklife, Path with Art, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Arts and Lectures, Seattle Children’s Theater, Shunpike, The Vera Project, and Town Hall Seattle.

Meet the Moderators

Vivian Phillips is a veteran arts producer, marketer, and civic advocate. Over the years, she’s moderated conversations with Harry Belafonte, Gloria Steinem, Magic Johnson, Ta-Nehesi Coates, Ruby Bridges, and many others. Her passion for culture has led to partnerships with arts organizations on five continents. She is the co-host of the podcast Double Xposure, which explores how culture and creativity shape our lives.

Marcie Sillman is an award-winning radio journalist. For more than three decades, she covered arts for Seattle’s KUOW and NPR. She’s also a rower, knitter, baker, and author of Out There: Jonathan Porretta’s Life in Dance. She is the co-host of the podcast Double Xposure, which explores how culture and creativity shape our lives.