User:Mercyboqu/Kirkland Arts Center

Kirkland Arts Center (KAC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and community based contemporary arts gallery and education center located in Kirkland, Washington, USA. Kirkland is located on the Eastside of Lake Washington, across the lake from Seattle. The Kirkland Arts Center houses a gallery, studio space and an education classroom. Its aim is to bring local and regional artists to the community and to engage the community in contemporary arts. Its audience comes from both the Eastside as well as Seattle and the surrounding areas. The KAC is staffed by six staff members and governed by a Board of Directors comprised of nine trustees. Volunteers and members also contribute to the operation of the center.

Mission
“Kirkland Arts Center provides exemplary visual arts education in a dynamic, community culture. The cornerstone ceramic arts program attracts artists from the Northwest and further afield who share their expertise with students and teachers, and the Gallery's accessible, contemporary art exhibitions showcase innovative works that stimulate a lively public dialogue.”

Gallery
The KAC’s gallery is a community-oriented gallery. The gallery showcases contemporary works of various types and of various media by local and regional artists. The gallery also offers opportunities for independent curators to create shows in the gallery space. Visiting the gallery is free to the public. Exhibits in the gallery rotate every couple months.

Education
The KAC operates two studios, a ceramic and a printmaking studio, as well as a large classroom for painting and drawing. It offers courses for all ages and abilities in ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, painting, drawing, and multimedia. Courses range from one-time workshops to summer programs for kids.

Public programs
The Kirkland Arts Center hosts and sponsors a variety of programs geared towards engaging the community with the arts. Programs range from studio tour to booths hosted by the art center at city festivals to YouTube inspired video evenings. The KAC also hosts lectures and other community events that are aimed at introducing the local and/or regional community to artists as well as give those artists tools and resources for working in the greater Seattle area.

History
The Kirkland Art Center was established in 1962 and is located in the historic Peter Kirk Building. It was originally founded to provide opportunities for the local community to engage in the arts and to preserve the Peter Kirk building. The KAC continues its original mission and has added emphasis on education and exhibits.

Funding
Kirkland Arts Center is a non-profit organization and relies on a combination of funding from earned income, corporations, private foundations, government agencies, and individuals. It partners with organizations such as 4Culture, Arts Fund and the City of Kirkland. It has a store with art pieces created by instructors and members for sale. It also maintains a member/donor base.