Sounding like veterans of the tech industry they aim to collaborate with, the co-founders of Seattle-based Future Arts have a “big, hairy, audacious goal” (BHAG) in sight.
The 3 1/2-year-old, women-led nonprofit was founded to bridge the tech-arts wage gap and strengthen connections between those working in tech and creators of tech-infused art in the city.
The major aim is to position an artist-in-residence at every Seattle tech company within 10 years. They are particularly keen on targeting startups from the GeekWire 200 — our ranked index of fast-growing companies in the Pacific Northwest.
“If we’re really looking for Seattle to lead in tech arts, tech media, tech innovation, and culture, that’s our interest,” said Yuliya Bruk, Future Arts co-founder and executive director. “We know residencies work for community engagement, cultural development, and vibrancy within a creative economy.”
Bruk leads the organization with Anna Czoski, the creative technology director. Both graduated from the University of Washington’s Digital Arts and Experimental Media program.
Czoski focused on computer animation, games, and mechatronic art during her studies. She worked in the game industry and UX design and founded a short-lived VR company. Bruk has a strong background in photography and filmmaking.
When Seattle’s tech boom altered the landscape by moving art spaces from South Lake Union and beyond, Bruk felt compelled to join Amazon to understand better the challenges artists face. She spent over seven years at the tech giant in marketing and advertising roles.
As Seattle has become a leading city attracting workers skilled in recent technologies, median earnings for tech workers hit record highs of $157,000 in 2023. That’s more than double what Seattle artists earn. Future Arts sees a city at risk of losing more of its cultural and creative identity.
“We’re an amazing incubator for creativity and creatives. Then they leave to New York, they leave to L.A.,” Bruk said. “We need an environment and ecosystem where people want to come to Seattle… for interdisciplinary creativity, support, and artist residencies. Not just, ‘Oh, it’s an old tech town.’
Through partnerships, sponsorships, and grants, Future Arts has enabled numerous programs, initiatives, and public art installations for underserved artists working with technology. The nonprofit emphasizes youth education and runs a “hybrid livestream experience” called Future Arts Live! to facilitate conversation and interaction with artists.
To pay more artists and those facilitating Future Arts, the organization launched a new membership program called Future Sparks. Monthly contributions starting at $10 help community members support the arts and provide access to future events.
Organizations like Amazon, Meta, and others have shown willingness to integrate art and artists into their spaces in various forms. Amazon has an artist-in-residence program, and has dedicated new space in its re:Invent office tower for the Gage Academy of Art.
Yet, Bruk and Czoski think every tech company should strive to have an artist working with engineers, developers, and program managers. They see their BHAG as igniting a transformation, moving Seattle beyond just being a tech hub.
“We have a beautiful city, but its heart needs to keep beating into the future,” Bruk said. “We’ve got to create some new things.”
