Seattle Center Creates Community Through New Program

Did you know that Seattle Center accommodates unique interests and exceptional talents through a partnership program called Community Created Events (CCE)? This innovative initiative invites community organizations to hold events and exhibits at Seattle Center that involve members of our community in ways that provide joy, laughter, inspiration and enrichment for everyone.

Community Created Events allow groups to share their special abilities and pursuits with the greater community. They may compete in a Yo-Yo championship, for example, or beat their drum in the World Rhythm Festival, or exhibit their artwork at the Seattle League of Arts Local Artist Show & Sale. CCE is one of the many public programming offerings at Seattle Center. Here is the list of Community Created Events scheduled so far in 2015:

Feb. 14: Pacific Northwest Yo-Yo Championships - the best yo-yo players in the Pacific Northwest compete for the title of Regional Champion and a berth to the National Yo-Yo Championships. More information at: www.pnwryoyo.com/pnwr2015.

April 17 - 19: World Rhythm Festival - drum enthusiasts, from beginner to professional, gather for free workshops and performances. More information at: www.swps.org.

May 2: iFest - independent game developers learn about the latest trends and technology at this all ages, interactive gaming expo. More information at: www.theaie.us.

May 8: Washington Women in Trades, 36th Annual Career Fair - the hands-on event, with lots of big machinery, empowers women through skills building, personal connections and job contacts. More information at: www.wawomenintrades.com

May 31: Seattle Bot Battles - combat robots battle it out for Mech supremacy! More information at: www.westernalliedrobotics.com.

June 21: Make Music Seattle - This worldwide celebration of music held on the Summer Solstice features six local bands, from alternative rock to world music, and from acoustic to alternative country.

June 26 - 28: Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Center 6th Annual Art Show - people living with and affected by MS exhibit their art. More information at: www.swedish.org/msartshow.

July 20 - Aug. 2: Seattle League of Arts Local Artist Show & Sale - the league exhibits their art works and present an artist in action and a portrait artists on site. More information at: www.seattle-league-of-arts.homestead.com.

July 26: Hispanic Seafair - this annual event offers music, food, and art by our local Hispanic community. More information at: www.hispanicseafair.org.

July 26: Shakespeare in the Park - enjoy a day of free Shakespeare, outdoors on the Fisher Lawn, with Seattle Shakespeare Company's Wooden O Productions. More information at: www.seattleshakespeare.org.

Oct. 10: Robothon - workshops, competitions and more promote science and technology and demonstrate how fun it can be to build robots. More at: www.seattlerobotics.org/robothon

Seattle Center accepts proposals for Community Created Events three times during the year. The selection process is competitive and based on resource and space availability as well as alignment with Seattle Center public programming mission and goals. Submitted proposals must have clear public benefit and be free and open to the public. If accepted, sponsorship support might include free or reduced rent, some technical equipment, inclusion in existing Seattle Center marketing platforms and a select amount of in-kind event coordinator time to assist with event needs and navigating Seattle Center campus guidelines. Some production costs might still be incurred.

For more information on Community Created Events, visit www.seattlecenter.com/community or call 206 733-9576. To learn more about public programming and other free and affordable events at Seattle Center, click on www.seattlecenter.com.