HISTORIC CENTRAL AREA ARTS & CULTURAL DISTRICT
In December 2015, the Central Area became Seattle’s second official Arts & Cultural District. The Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District (HCAACD) is located in Seattle’s historically African-American neighborhood, a geographic area that was initially redlined, relegating African American residency to this part of the City.
We intend to claim our history as a former redlined district in pursuit of maintaining, sustaining, and uplifting Black Arts & Culture in Seattle. HCAACD seeks to preserve the Black legacy in the Central Area by:
- Becoming a resource and supporting body
- Advocating for Black Artists
- Collaborations and partnerships
- Placemaking and fostering a sense of place throughout the neighborhood
- Facilitating and activating as much as possible
HCAACD is currently led by co-chairs Sharon Nyree Williams and Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, and its founding community partners included:
- Africatown
- Ariel Productions
- Black Heritage Society of Washington State
- Brownbox Theatre
- Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas
- Cortona Café (co-owner)
- Coyote Central
- Hidmo Cypher
- The James and Janie Washington Foundation
- Jubilee Community Church
- Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
- Meredith Mathews YMCA
- Northwest African American Museum
- Nu Black Arts West Theatre
- Pratt Fine Arts Center
- Seattle Black Arts Alliance
WHO WE ARE
Listen to our story:
Mission
To honor the legacy and ensure the future vitality of African and African-American arts and culture in the Central Area.
Vision
The Central Area is a vital and vibrant hub for African and African-American arts, culture, and community.
Values
Black arts stewardship, Black ownership, Community Impact, Collaboration, , Facilitation, Intergenerational Engagement, Transparency
FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS
We recognize that the work we are challenged to do did not start with us and will continue beyond us. We believe, as a community, we can work together to honor our pillars.
Pillar 1
Preserving the African and African America legacy in the Central Area
Pillar 2
Sustaining and Strengthening the physical identity and sense of place for cultural relevancy
Pillar 3
Establishing a formalized forum for continued support of artistic creation, economic vibrancy, livability, affordability, desirability and artistic vitality.