Imagine a youth performing-arts hub in the Rainier Valley, near the historical heart of jazz in Seattle, where young people are respected, supported, and inspired to realize the full potential of their unique gifts.
A new home for music and people in a changing city >
As if a new JazzED home in the heart of the city weren't enough...we have even bigger plans! In our desire to serve all families in a city growing less and less affordable, we are thrilled to be partnering with Community Roots Housing.
CRH will jointly develop this property with us, building approximately 108 new affordable homes above JazzED’s ground-level performing arts center and music school. CRH will take responsibility for funding the housing, while JazzED raises funds for its music facility. When the project is complete, each entity will own and manage its own section of the building.
Our reasoning? We don't just serve music students—we serve their families, our communities, our city. We think the best way to do that is to do what we can to keep Seattle accessible to everyone.
Seattle JazzED is growing exponentially. In just nine years, we’ve grown from serving 56 young musicians to more than 1,300 directly, and we know there are 2,000 more students we could serve.
Jazz, an essential part of America’s DNA, makes a perfect vehicle for teaching life skills like focus, teamwork, and confidence. Through jazz, students find their voice—whether or not they become professional musicians.
We want this opportunity for every Seattle student, but lack of space holds us back. Transportation is a problem for our low-income students as more and more of our families are priced out of Seattle.
Click HERE for the full FAQ about this project.
A Founder’s Vision >
“I imagine a lot of creativity in this new building. And a lot of beautiful music being made. And a lot of connections with kids of all different races, creeds, colors...it’s like Quincy Jones calls it, a ‘global gumbo.’ Where people from different backgrounds can meet and feel a sense of ownership, and feel like they’re home.”
What a new home will make possible >
A youth performing arts facility for the entire Seattle area: A place of access, inclusion, and belonging.
An ability to respond to growing demand by adding some 2,000 young people to our community...a 200% increase!
Enough space for our current lineup of programs, along with new educational opportunities (full choral program, drum line) and wrap-around services (tutoring, after-school and summer care programs).
Appropriate conditions to store our sizable instrument library, putting high-quality instruments in kids' hands year-round.
Improved access, near light-rail and transit stops for easier transportation.
A location amid social justice enterprises and next door to two progressive schools.
The ongoing stability of a permanent home, dedicated to the needs of our students, with rehearsal space and an acoustically precise performance hall.
A more holistic and networked approach to support the overall health and success of our youth and families.
A new location >
Project Site - 2101 22nd Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98144
In January of 2017, JazzED was presented with an exciting opportunity to purchase a parcel of land in the Rainier Valley from two like-minded institutions (Lake Washington Girls Middle School and Giddens School) who are building a joint facility on the parcel next to ours. This parcel is located near Seattle's historic Jackson Street Jazz scene and perfectly situated in a neighborhood with many social justice and arts enterprises, as well as excellent transportation access.
New Site Neighbors
Northwest African American Museum
Hamlin Robinson School
Seattle Children's Playground
Wellspring Family Services
The Lighthouse for the Blind
Treehouse
ROCKit Community Arts
El Centro De La Raza
Rainier Valley Boys & Girls Club
Click HERE for the full FAQ about this project.
The investment >
Preliminary concept envisions $16.5 million, which includes land acquisition, building costs, operating reserve, and maintenance reserve.
To make a capital campaign donation, please click the button below and utilize our online giving form. Please note 'Capital Campaign’ in the Note field. Thank you! For assistance, contact Laurie de Koch at laurie@seattlejazzed.org or call 206.324.5299.
This project is supported by 4Culture and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.
Building project partners >
Development Partner: Community Roots Housing. Since 1976, they have served low- and moderate-income residents and have worked to improve neighborhoods for all.
Architect: Weinstein A+U: Sample projects include Woodland Park Zoo, Wellspring Family Services, Boys & Girls Club, Seattle Center Skate Park.
Fundraising Consultant: Main Consulting, LLC. More than 20 years’ experience working on capital campaigns ranging from $5M to $75M.
Building Committee: Kim Clements, Elvis Fraser, Mike Freeman, Erica Garvey, Wayne Horvitz, Robert Morton, Lipika Mukerji, Shirish Mulherkar, Kevin Price, Georgia Ragsdale, Chris Rogers, Mike Weller
Feasibility Study Task Force: Kim Clements, Phil Davis, Mike Halperin, Barb Herrington, Mary Ellen Hudgins, Shirish Mulherkar, David Zapolsky
Design Team >
Architect: Weinstein A + U
Structural Engineer: PCS Structural Solutions
Interior Designer: Mahlum
Landscape Architect: Site Workshop
Building Envelope Engineer: JRS Engineering
Audio/Visual Engineer: Morgan Sound
Civil Engineer: KPFF
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, & Fire Protection Engineer: Sider + Byers Engineers
Acoustical Engineer: SSA Acoustics
Click HERE for the full FAQ about this project.
Honorary Advisory Council >
Clarence Acox, Jr., Co-founder Seattle JazzED, nationally-acclaimed Jazz educator
Matt Cameron, Drummer for Pearl Jam and Soundgarden
Maud Daudon, Executive Leader of Career Connect Washington
Bill Frisell, Guitarist, composer and arranger
John Gilbreath, Executive Director, Earshot Jazz
Jodi Green, Civic Leader
Nancy Guppy, Seattle comedian and television personality
Mike Halperin, Honorary Campaign Co-Chair
Wayne Horvitz, Composer, keyboardist and record producer
Tim Lennon, Executive Director, LANGSTON
Tom Mara, Executive Director, KEXP
Wynton Marsalis, Managing and Artistic Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center
Allison Miller, New York City-based drummer, composer, and teacher
Lee and Stuart Rolfe, Civic Leaders
The Westerlies, New York City-based brass quartet
David Zapolsky, Honorary Campaign Co-Chair
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection project number: 000313-19PA
Property address under review: 2101 22nd Ave S, Seattle 98144
For more information about this event or to offer feedback on this project, contact Laurie de Koch at laurie@seattlejazzed.org
Press Release: 8/14/18 - Seattle JazzED and Capitol Hill Housing Land Purchase
Media Contact:
Laurie de Koch, Seattle JazzED Executive Director
206-324-5299
laurie@seattlejazzed.org
A New Home for Seattle JazzED FAQ >
1. Who is Seattle JazzED?
Ten years ago we started with a basic belief that every young person who wants an excellent music education should get it, regardless of experience, background, income or neighborhood. The backbone of JazzED’s philosophy is that equity and excellence can and should thrive together. Fast forward, with students from more than 100 ZIP codes represented, we’re connecting young musicians across cultural, economic and racial divides to listen to and learn from one another. In an increasingly segregated city, we believe this is a unique and critical strength, which benefits not only our students but our community.
2. Why invest in jazz education?
Jazz is improvisational music. It calls our students to become deep listeners and take creative risks. We foster courage, creativity and compassion – skills that transcend music and shape young peoples’ lives forever. The year over year growth in the number of students we serve indicates there is a deep and growing appreciation for this art form and the unique gifts it brings to kids.
3. Is this the right time to fundraise for a capital project?
Yes! Seattle has unique capacity and a strong history of philanthropic investment. We’ve already received great support from leaders who are excited about our focus on excellent music education and justice. Most importantly, the historic racial reckoning American society is experiencing has raised this city’s consciousness around equity and access. This project is inspiring people to support a tangible solution.
4. Why does Seattle JazzED need a new building?
Since 2009 we’ve gone from 60 students every year to 1,350-and-counting. Now we’re packed so tight in our leased space that students practice in utility closets. With demand growing exponentially, we are meeting a need, and the need is growing. Our mission is to empower all students with exceptional music education. We don’t want space limitations to be the reason we turn a single child away.
5. What’s the cost of the entire building project?
We are excited to partner with affordable housing developer Community Roots Housing (CRH), formerly Capitol Hill Housing, on this $45 million project. Both organizations’ work is dedicated to increasing community, equity and justice in Seattle. Seattle JazzED is raising $16.5 million for a state-of-the-art music and performance center in the heart of the Rainier Valley and will own and operate the bottom two floors of the 7-story building. CRH will raise the remaining share and own and operate apartments on the top five floors.
6. What will the new building offer that the current building doesn’t?
JazzED’s new home is about investing in responsible growth to meet the demand for our programs. We’ve been creative in how we utilize meeting rooms, hallways, and even closets for classes, practice and rehearsals. Now we’ve outgrown our current space. In addition, we’ll be able to serve the growing number of students and families who want to participate.
Highlights include:
A light-filled, welcoming performance space that seats 250, which will function as a multi-purpose gathering space during the day for families, students and coffee-shop patrons.
Six large rehearsal rooms for our growing number of ensembles.
Seven practice studios where students can work on their music individually (critical for those who can’t practice at home).
A café, so that students and families can gather, do homework or have impromptu jam sessions before and after rehearsals.
Revenue-generating opportunities from room and performance space rentals.
Ownership instead of tenancy—a move that stabilizes Seattle JazzED now and ensures our continuation into the future.
7. What is the timeline for the building construction?
We are scheduled to break ground in fall of 2022. Our plan is to open in spring of 2024 – just in time for us to launch our summer programming!
8. How are you different from other organizations that focus on equity?
Families and schools can access our programs and services more easily. Plus, we actively recruit excellent teachers who reflect the diverse communities we serve and pay them competitive wages.
Highlights include:
We have a sliding-scale tuition with a no-questions-asked policy that applies to every program and service we offer. This means that families never have to submit paperwork to prove financial need. Families who can’t afford any payment can participate for free. As leaders in this model we’re proud to see that it is catching on among other social justice groups. Just as importantly, the policy realizes our core mission of providing quality music education regardless of ability to pay.
Equity does not “chase” excellence at JazzED. We’re committed to radical economic accessibility for all families AND see students consistently achieving musical progress and excellence at all levels, from our most beginner students to advanced high school musicians. Our instructors, who have performed on stages across the globe and set high expectations. This results in an incredible musical “product”, but more importantly our students learn to be both resilient and responsible. It’s all about creating a whole-child focus – to serve students in performing, in community and in their lives.
