Seattle-based nonprofit Future Arts was founded with the goal of bridging the gap between the tech and arts industries in the city. Co-founders Yuliya Bruk and Anna Czoski aim to have an artist-in-residence at every tech company in Seattle within the next 10 years. Both Bruk and Czoski are graduates of the University of Washington, with backgrounds in digital arts and experimental media. They hope to create more collaboration and connections between artists and technologists in order to strengthen Seattle’s creative economy.
In response to the growing tech boom in Seattle and the increasing wage gap between tech workers and artists, Future Arts is working to highlight the importance of arts and technology working together. The organization’s collaboration with Cornish College of the Arts resulted in a large-scale interdisciplinary mural called “Cut, Crush. Decay,” which uses augmented reality, mycelium, and generative AI models for motion capture. Through various programs, initiatives, and public art installations, Future Arts aims to support underserved artists working with technology and provide opportunities for youth education in the arts.
Future Arts hopes to foster an environment in Seattle where creativity thrives and artists choose to stay in the city rather than leaving for larger artistic hubs like New York or Los Angeles. The organization’s Future Sparks membership program allows community members to contribute as little as $10 a month to support the arts and gain access to future events. By securing partnerships, sponsorships, and grants, Future Arts is able to pay artists and staff while facilitating programs that engage the public and promote creativity.
Amazon, Meta, and other tech companies in Seattle have shown an interest in bringing art and artists into their spaces, with Amazon even having an artist-in-residence program. However, Bruk and Czoski believe that every tech company should follow suit and have artists work alongside their teams. They see this as a way to move Seattle beyond being solely a tech hub and into a city that values and supports creativity. Future Arts’ “Augment Seattle Showcase” has featured interactive art installations that blend technology and art, such as “currents” by artists Alina Nazmeeva and Alex Kosnett, which displayed interactive salmon streams from local riverbeds during a mixed reality art event in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood.
Ultimately, Future Arts aims to create a vibrant and innovative cultural scene in Seattle that celebrates the intersection of art and technology. By working to integrate artists into the tech industry and advocating for the value of creative expression, the organization hopes to shape a future where Seattle is known not only for its technological advancements but also for its thriving arts community. Through their efforts to support artists, provide educational opportunities, and engage the public with immersive art experiences, Future Arts is contributing to the growth and development of a more diverse and inclusive creative ecosystem in the city.
