SEED has led many economic development efforts in Southeast Seattle during its 50-year history. From the push to preserve family-wage jobs in Rainier Valley to keeping an affordable grocery store in the neighborhood, SEED’s work in economic development has continued to evolve.
SEED has incorporated the arts in its development work for decades, and these two areas of our work have become increasingly aligned. In 1995 SEED purchased a historic building and converted it into a performing arts center, Rainier Arts Center. The Center provides professional performance and gathering space for cultural groups and welcomes over 10,000 audience members each year. In 1999 SEED bought a building to establish a permanent home for Columbia City Gallery and since that time we’ve paid over $1 million directly to artists for their sales at the Gallery. SEEDArts Studios was established in 2014, after local creatives named the lack of affordable workspace as their biggest challenge. We developed and equipped KVRU 105.7 FM as a hyper-local community radio station and transferred ownership to community members in 2025.
The creative economy, which encompasses all economic activity created by arts and cultural workers, is a key driver for development. In 2020 arts and culture made up 4.5% of the nation’s GDP – a larger share of the economy than transportation, agriculture, and construction. In Washington, the arts make up over 10% of total economic activity – the highest proportion in the nation. And the Rainier Valley, the area of SEED’s hyperlocal work, has among the highest densities of artists in the state.
We believe that by supporting South End artists and creating conditions in which they can thrive for the long term, we can achieve significant impact for community and economic development. SEED’s Strategic Plan prioritizes fostering the creative economy as an engine for development.
SEED is creating conditions to help South End artists and creative entrepreneurs thrive through two initiatives: We offer Intermediary Services like Fiscal Sponsorship, to support and connect local arts and cultural organizations. Our long-term initiative involves Community-Owned Cultural Space Development. We are pursuing collective real-estate ownership projects to acquire more affordable arts space and break the displacement cycle for artists and cultural workers.