Sammamish Residents Invited to Weigh in on First-Ever Arts Plan

The City of Sammamish is inviting its residents to contribute to the development of its first public art plan, which will guide arts policies and initiatives from 2025 to 2035. Historically, the city has had an Arts Commission since 2003, but the commission has made decisions without formal guidelines, leading to inconsistencies in art placement and types. Lesley Bain from Framework Cultural Placemaking highlighted the importance of establishing clear criteria for art curation during a city council meeting. The upcoming Arts Strategic Plan will include community input sourced from various events, ensuring that the plan reflects the desires and needs of residents. Goals of the plan will encompass the organization of public events, funding for studio tours, and other arts programs.

The city council unanimously approved the hiring of Framework Cultural Placemaking, which has prior experience in developing similar arts plans. This initiative signifies a move towards a more structured and inclusive approach to arts in Sammamish. The engagement of the community is seen as vital in shaping the future of public art in the city.