:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1986-1987 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust officially begins its work. After more than a year of planning, led by Anne Focke (Seattle) with Marcia Pinto Moe (Washington State Arts Commission) and Zia Gipson (Tacoma Arts Commission), Artist Trust's first board and staff launch a 510(c)3 organization with a mission to support and encourage individual artists in all disciplines in Washington State. They proudly announce $100,000 in founding gifts from individual donors (Buster and Nancy Alvord, Illsey Nordstrom*, Ruth Miska and Jim Olson and Bill Robertson*). Artist Trust's two main program areas are determined to be information and funding for artists. Thatcher Bailey, founding President, and David Mendoza, founding Director, take the lead. The first Fellowships are awarded, $5,000 to 20 artists, and Artist Trust publishes its first newsletter, the Artist Trust Journal.

:: Total grants distributed to 20 artists: $100,000 (Fellowships $5,000 each)

*deceased

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1988 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust awards its first Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) awards, project grants for artists in all disciplines -- eight awards of $350-500 are given to support the creative work of artists statewide.

:: Total grants distributed to 8 artists: $3,400 (GAPs $500 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1989 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust publishes Access to Affordable Healthcare for Artists in Washington State, a free guide for artists seeking healthcare. The Meet the Artist program is put into place, bringing Fellowship recipients together with communities other than their own, in an attempt to build community understanding of the role of artists. The annual Artist Trust Auction, to become a longstanding Artist Trust tradition, is hosted for the first time as the Valentine Brunch and Auction. The “I am the Public” Campaign is launched by Artist Trust to emphasize that public opinion regarding art and other issues comes from all factions of society, not just one sector seeking to censor expression.

:: Total grants distributed to 50 artists: $21,500 (GAPs $500 max; travel fund $2,500)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1990 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust takes on an activist role to raise awareness of AIDS in the statewide arts community by encouraging and publicizing “Day Without Art” activities. The effort continues for several years. Artist Trust also continues to fight censorship of artistic expression under David Mendoza's leadership.

:: Total grants distributed to 15 artists: $10,000 (GAPs $750 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1991 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust receives an unsolicited $25,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation in recognition of Artist Trust’s support of freedom of expression for individual artists. The Flintridge Foundation grants Artist Trust the first of three major gifts in support of the Fellowships. Founding Director David Mendoza leaves Artist Trust to run the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression.

:: Total grants distributed to 49 artists: $72,560 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,000 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1992 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust distributes Estate Planning for Artists in a Time of AIDS, prepared by the Alliance for the Arts. Marschel Paul becomes Executive Director.

:: Total grants distributed to 55 artists: $75,500 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,000 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1993 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust is recognized by the Washington State Arts Commission as a valued partner, and begins administration of the State’s Fellowship Program. Professional development workshops for artists are added to Artist Trust’s services.

:: Total grants distributed to 40 artists: $70,000 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,000 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1994 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust studies itself, its environment and its constituents in a strategic planning process. The Board of Trustees decides to make grantmaking their highest priority while maintaining quality education and information programs, and sets its sights on strengthening the organization and raising more money in order to increase grants to artists.

:: Total grants distributed to 50 artists: $93,000 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,000 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1995 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The NEA releases an analysis of the 1990 census, showing that the country’s artist population increased by 127% since 1970. Washington’s largest artist populations live in (in order of number): Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Spokane, Bremerton, Olympia, Tri-Cities, Bellingham and Yakima, according to the census. In order to encourage voter registration, Artist Trust issues bumper stickers that read “I'm an Artist and I Vote.”

:: Total grants distributed to 62 artists: $122,501 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,000 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1996 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust celebrates ten years of investing in creativity. The organization’s single largest gift is received from an artist in Olympia. A fire occurs in Seattle’s Polson Building, leaving dozens of artists without studio space, inventory and supplies, and Artist Trust administers a fund to provide relief to those artists. Artist Trust begins co-sponsoring legal clinics for artists with Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA).

:: Total grants distributed to 89 artists: $135,497 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,000 max; Polson relief fund $21,897)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1997 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Tenth Anniversary Celebration goes on. Ten special “Presidents’ Awards” are planned to recognize artists that have provided leadership in their communities. The re-envisioned NEA announces a major grant to Artist Trust to support its new endowment fund, and the Artist Trust Board begins raising endowment money towards a $300,000 goal. The National Endowment for the Arts and the PANACA Gallery each contribute $100,000 to the Artist Trust Endowment.

:: Total grants distributed to 75 artists: $141,110 (Presidents’ Awards $11,000; Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,200 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1998 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Executive Director Marschel Paul leaves a stable and expanded organization, and Artist Trust welcomes new Executive Director Barbara Courtney. The 1998 Fellowships put Artist Trust’s tally of artist support over $1 million. Information Services for artists are enhanced and expanded statewide. With encouragement from funders, Artist Trust raises the endowment fund goal to $1.5 million.

:: Total grants distributed to 70 artists: $144,385 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,200 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1999 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

A strategic planning process defines new goals for Artist Trust for 2000 through 2004, and includes significant growth in support of artists through both grants and information. The Artist Trust website is launched and Possibilities (previously a part of the Journal) is considerably expanded. Artist Trust receives $150,000 from Jon and Mary Shirley, the largest gift received to date in Artist Trust history, establishing the Jon and Mary Shirley Fund for Visual Artists.

:: Total grants distributed to 91 artists: $171,960 (Fellowships $5,000; GAPs $1,200 max)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2000 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The new century heralds momentous new achievements for Artist Trust. A generous major gift of $250,000 from Yvonne Twining Humber creates an annual award in support of lifetime achievement by a senior woman artist. Artist Trust receives the National Society of Fundraising Executives’ prestigious “Outstanding Philanthropic Award” for the support it provides to artists. Artist Trust conducts the initial pilot of a Community Matching Grant Program with the Orcas Island artist community, resulting in a comprehensive directory of Orcas artists.

:: Total grants distributed to 92 artists: $191,260 (Fellowships $5,500; GAPs $1,200 max; Community Matching Grant $5,000)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2001 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The endowment fund reaches its $1.5 million goal with the support of $100,000 from the Allen Foundation for the Arts. Artist Trust’s work is recognized with receipt of the coveted Governor’s Arts Award. The first Irving and Yvonne Twining Humber Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, an unrestricted award of $10,000 given annually to a Washington State female visual artist age 60 or over, is given to Olympia photographer Mary Randlett. The Nisqually earthquake shakes up the Seattle region and Artist Trust administers relief aid for artists through the Artists’ Quake Aid (AQUA) relief fund, with funding from the NEA and the King County Arts Commission. Artist Trust publishes a study on how the earthquake impacted local artists. Artist Trust offers an e-newsletter, WebUpdate, notifying subscribers of additions to the website, upcoming events and opportunities. The first Artists’ Assets is published, an annual resource guide containing information about hundreds of organizations, agencies, guilds and service providers that offer vital resources for artists.

:: Total grants distributed to 148 artists: $269,621 (Fellowships $5,500; GAPs $1,400 max; Twining Humber Award $10,000; AQUA $40,000)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2002 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Just as Artist Trust reaches its 15th birthday, it moves into a permanent new home with support from Carol Bennett, the M.J. Murdoch Charitable Trust and the King County Cultural Facilities Fund. The new office includes the Artist Assets’ Area, a walk-in resource center full of professional development books and periodicals, a computer and printer, and much more. Artist Trust expands its partnership with Washington Lawyers for the Arts, providing them a home for the next few years in the new Artist Trust headquarters. The Big Music Event, a fundraiser, is launched to enthusiastic response. A second Community Matching Grant pilot is initiated in Ellensburg. As the world recovers from the shock and despair of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Artist Trust’s Quake Aid study is held as a model for similar organizations assisting New York City artists impacted by the attacks.

:: Total grants distributed to 78 artists: $211,980 (Fellowships $6,000; GAPs $1,400 max; Twining Humber Award $10,000; Community Matching Grant $2,500)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2003 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust is one of four organizations nationally to be awarded a $90,000 grant over two years from the Connecticut-based Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, to develop a professional development training program for Seattle visual artists. Artist Trust launches the EDGE Professional Development Program for Visual Artists, with 36 artists successfully completing the program, each receiving a $500 stipend. Continuing with our 15-year anniversary, Artist Trust produces (in conjunction with Seattle Community Access Network) a five-episode television show. Artist Trust assists the Washington, DC-based Urban Institute with a national study of support mechanisms for artists.

:: Total grants distributed to 58 artists: $187,305 (Fellowships $6,000; GAPs $1,400 max; Twining Humber Award $10,000; Community Matching Grant $2,500)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2004 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust’s 2005-2009 Strategic Plan is created, with three goals: 1) Sustain and strengthen Artist Trust’s role as a funder and service provider; 2) strengthen the maintain Artist Trust’s financial and operational sustainability, and; 3) build on Artist Trust’s recognized leadership to influence policy development and implementation at the national level. Artist Trust receives a $100,000 Creative Communities challenge grant from Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC), used to attract new donors for artist grants and fellowships, and to spearhead the Washington Artists Health Insurance Project (WAHIP), an effort to develop strategies for increased access to healthcare for Washington State artists. Artist Trust works with Dance/USA and the New England Foundation for the Arts to help promote and provide regional professional development initiatives for dance artists. The first Paul Goode Ireland Residency is awarded to a Fellowship finalist. Artist Trust’s first annual Reel Big Deal highlights the work of artists working in film and video.

:: Total grants distributed to 62 artists: $195,525 (Fellowships $6,000; GAPs $1,400 max; Twining Humber Award $10,000; Community Matching Grant $5,000)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2005 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

After seven years at Artist Trust’s helm, Barbara Courtney takes a new position at the Orcas Theatre and Community Center, and Fidelma McGinn is named as Artist Trust’s new Executive Director. Artist’s Assets, now in its third edition, is published online for the first time. Profiles of Artist Trust grant recipients from 2003-05 are posted on the website. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grants Artist Trust a $250,000 capacity building grant. One cycle of the EDGE program is offered as a one-week intensive at Centrum in Port Townsend, so that artists across the state may take advantage of this skill-building program.

:: Total grants distributed to 80 artists: $222,231 (Fellowships $6,000; GAPs $1,400 max; Twining Humber Award $10,000; Community Matching Grant Program $10,000)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2006 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Artist Trust and The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College team up to create The Native Creative Development Program, providing a new resource for Native artists living in the Pacific Northwest; in this inaugural year, six Native artists are awarded funding and a one-day EDGE professional development session. Artist Trust’s print and online publications receive a major overhaul, including a now-quarterly newsletter titled Art Source, a reformatted biweekly enewsletter titled (re)Source, and a newly interactive website with the ability for artists and others to submit their own listings and to search Artist Trust's extensive database of resources and opportunities. The fourth edition of Artists’ Assets doubles in size from the previous edition, including articles on studio safety, fiscal sponsorship, business licenses and more. Local Sightings at the Northwest Film Forum showcases new film work by Artist Trust grant recipients. Seattle Art Museum partners with Artist Trust to offer members a discounted SAM membership. The EDGE Professional Development Program is going strong with 182 graduates to date, and partnerships forming to offer the program in other communities around the state, including at Edmonds Community College.

:: Total grants distributed to 80 artists: $218,033 (Fellowships $6,000; GAPs $1,400 max; Twining Humber Award $10,000; Native Creative Development Program $12,000)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2007 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

It’s Artist Trust's 20th Anniversary! Many celebratory activities are planned for the year. Howard House Contemporary Art showcases Artist Trust grant recipients who are represented by their gallery. Future exciting plans include events at the Seattle Art Museum’s Rental/Sales Gallery and the Washington Cultural Congress. The EDGE program will be offered in new communities including Tacoma and Bellingham. And Artist Trust’s Annual Benefit Art Auction, celebrating 20 years of supporting art at its source, will feature live and silent auctions of works by over 200 donating Northwest artists and performances by Artist Trust grant recipients.

:: Cumulative as of January 2007: $2,783,468 in grants distributed to 1,293 artists; 182 artists have successfully completed the EDGE Professional Development Program.