Art for Reparative Investment with Vivian Phillips
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 14
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Seattle cultural consultant and arts advocate Vivian Phillips discusses the development of a permanent space for Arté Noir, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black art, artists, and culture. As part of an interdisciplinary effort to reestablish Black arts and culture in a historically redlined district, Arté Noir will be the anchor space of Midtown Square, a new multifamily and retail complex in Seattle’s Central District where many Black creatives have been displaced. In this episode, Vivian reflects on the journey behind the project, including building partnerships with developers, fundraising alongside passionate philanthropists, and engaging artists to tell a visual story about the project’s core tenets of “reverence and discovery.” Known among many as “Seattle’s Minister of Culture,” Vivian shares wisdom from her tenure as an arts leader, including how art and culture can be catalysts for community resilience, restoration, and vitality.
Discussed in the Episode:
Midtown Square
Seattle University Arts Ecosystem Research Project
Seattle Cultural Space Agency
Seattle Strategic Investment Fund
Ernestine Anderson
Douglas Barnett
Edwin T. Pratt
DeCharlene Williams
Black Past
Seattle Museum of History and Industry
Packaged Black: Derrick Adams and Barbara Earl Thomas
About Vivian Phillips:
Vivian Phillips is a Seattle-based communications and consulting professional and a longtime civic arts leader, manager, and advocate. She currently serves on the Seattle Arts Commission and is the Founder of the Black cultural organization and online magazine, Arté Noir. Additionally, she co-hosts the podcast Double Xposure, which explores how culture and creativity shape our lives. Vivian’s leadership has had a tremendous impact on Seattle’s cultural development, from her participation on the mayoral team that built Olympic Sculpture Park, to her work on Seattle University’s Arts Ecosystem Research Project, which documents the evolution of art and culture in the city. In addition to co-founding the The Hansberry Project, Vivian has facilitated conversations with notable art and cultural leaders including Harry Belafonte, Gloria Steinem, Magic Johnson, Ta-Nehesi Coates, and Ruby Bridges, among many others.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Hosted by NINE dot ARTS CEO Martha Weidmann, episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a social impact. Download the 2021 State of the Art Report to learn more.
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