ACAC for Print

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ACAC will:

Be a community hub for Black Arts

Be a home for intergenerational learning, and celebration.

Will be a key resource for African and diaspora immigrant, and descendent communities, etc.

photo courtesy of Historic Seattle, 1927

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Welcome to ACAC

ACAC is a Black owned and operated center of Black culture that grew out of a Black operated non-profit that seeks to elevate Black community members through Black cultural expression. It builds on the 38-year identity of this location as an African cultural resource and will provide opportunity for Black leadership development. Preservation and enhanced accessibility of African traditional cultures is the center's core mission.

ACAC is intended to be a living archive of African and diaspora cultures It is anticipated that gallery displays will rotate quarterly, with diverse live cultural programming occurring on an on-going basis. The community advisory board will assist with prioritizing cultural representation in the gallery space, the artist in residence program, and programming within the amphitheater (capacity 50) and atrium (capacity 25) spaces, so that it is reflective of the community and expands community cultural horizons. ACAC will be a free/affordable venue for local families, organizations and artists to hold intimate events with their constituencies.

The ADEFUA Youth and Family Empowerment Program, the Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, Southeast Youth and Family Services, and the Ethiopian Community Center (currently undergoing major renovation) have expressed interest in utilizing ACAC as a partnering program site for both cultural and leadership programs.

What is ACAC?

The African Cultural Arts Center, or ACAC, will be a space that supports cultural arts in intergenerational African immigrant and legacy communities in our region, including African Americans, throughout our region. Our vision is that ACAC will create a safe, communal space that reaffirms and celebrates identity and connects African people with their roots

The African Cultural Arts Center, or ACAC, will operate a space that supports cultural arts in intergenerational African immigrant communities throughout our region, including African Americans. Our vision is that ACAC will create a safe, communal space that reaffirms and celebrates identity and connects African people with their roots. ACAC will primarily serve and reflect the resident African American and African immigrant communities in Rainier Valley. ACAC will also serve as a space where non-Black people can learn about, experience, and develop appreciation and respect for Black cultures.

ACAC will fill a need for a community-owned space to share historical artifacts, cultural heritage, and stories that comprise African intergenerational and intercontinental legacies in the middle of the Rainier Valley Cultural Arts District, which was established in 2021 as Seattle’s first Creative Arts District after a campaign spearheaded by ADEFUA Cultural Arts Center.

ACAC will be under the fiscal sponsorship of ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop, a Black-managed non-profit focused on building community through African arts since 1984, and will be housed in a landmark building in Seattle's Brighton neighborhood.

Our African communities need a sacred space that reduces isolation (especially in the context of emerging from COVID) and celebrates multi-ethnic heritages, and ACAC will weave intercultural connection and foster cross-cultural appreciation and respect. African immigrants from different countries will have a place where they find belonging and discover their expression to be a gift to the community

In the 98118 zip code, 12% of school-aged youth are not enrolled in school, and 21% of adults over the age of 25 never graduated high school, which puts both of these groups at risk of worse economic, educational, and criminal justice outcomes. ACAC is essential for engaging, inspiring, and supporting BIPOC individuals and families to address educational disparities and provide pathways for attainment.

Cultural artists are among those hardest hit by the pandemic. ACAC will provide a space for community resident African artists to perform, teach, share, and market their creations, build their audiences, and offer volunteer opportunities to develop skills and gain valuable life experience to assist with future job opportunities, with a vision to offer two eleven-month residencies per year to cultural artists.

ACAC will be a physically and emotionally safe place emphasizing diversity, respect, inclusion, and belonging. It will serve as a cultural hub for building community connection and elevating emotional health through access to Black-generated entertainment and classes, with an emphasis on connecting the arts to mental and physical well-being.

A community advisory board for the ACAC is growing and will include community members, representatives of African immigrant and legacy communities in our region, including African Americans, and cultural artists, to assure we are meeting community-identified needs.

Learn more, join us, and donate! Your donation will go towards structural upgrades, making the site ADA-accessible, and the creation of heated outdoor gathering spaces.

What is ACAC’s Role in the Community

To provide a facility space for multigenerational groups and individuals who can culturally connect with their tradition, meaning; we will offer space for all ages

Acknowledge our connection to a diverse community

Keep culture alive within this space

Encourage community to be a part of affordable events

ACAC is open to the general public

Continue to provide a therapeutic sense of belonging

To present an African Cultural Arts Center as a Black space to learn, and celebrate more about Africa!

Why is ACAC important?

We are community-based and community operated

We provide awareness of African roots and cultural traditions

Our work provides engagement with our African cultures

It is a celebration of interactive and creative arts, performance, and music in sacred space

ACAC will provide a space for sacred programs, such as the ADEFUA Rites of Passage Experience Program, which is a coming of age for young girls that prepares them for a successful adult life

When the African community is strong, we can contribute to the larger community

It is in our interest as Seattle and the region to invest in African culture - Everyone is stronger when the African community is strong

Why this location?

We have an opportunity to sustain this same space that is identified within community as a cultural landmark since 1994

Many artists over these years have travelled to Seattle and have presented workspace in this space, and have received hostel accommodations

African cultural events at this location is continually a household name within the African community

Annual programs within this location has provided many stages of transformations within our children

We’re located in the belly of Rainier Valley

The Brighton community is in the center of our strong African community

The therapeutic programming of; HealThySelf operated at this location for over 20 years, providing Massage, Spa services, movement and music packages

There is no other entity that provinces this work in the region

People will walk by and see ACAC and be curious about it. We can invite the intergenerational community to celebrate Africa.

The community has spoken "It's our responsibility to sustain the rich history of African celebrations occurring at this site"

History is Facing Forward ~

Site History

Afua Kouyate, Founding Director of Adefua and ACAC, and her talented family have resided in this building since 1994 and have been using this space to offer African and African diaspora-related cultural programming for the community since establishing residence there. Ms. Kouyate recently spearheaded a successful initiative to establish the Rainier Valley Creative District, the first Washington State-certified designated creative district within the City of Seattle, which was endorsed by the City of Seattle in February of 2021 and inaugurated by the State in August of 2021.

ADEFUA is the administrator and the overseer of the Rainier Valley Creative District and is committed to unifying Rainier Valley neighborhoods through arts and culture and economic development. A living archive such as ACAC, showcasing traditional African visual and performing arts, where people have the opportunity to interact with the art, and in some instances, the artists, is a perfect addition to the creative district, contributing to community pride and serving as a space where diverse community residents can come to celebrate and see themselves and their heritages reflected.

History Faces Forward:

Afua Kouyate serves as the ACAC Director, with more than 50 years of ministry in presenting African cultures as a means of identity, recruitment, engagement, implementation and now preservation. Afua's long life commitment to this work has been contagious for ones love of self-expression and community building.

Cultural Anchors are our Fiscal Sponsors

The ADEFUA Board of Directors will provide fiscal and legal oversight of funds provided for establishment of ACAC as a community cultural resource.

ADEFUA and ACAC have formed a legal Trust for the purposes of managing the property and delineating fiscal and operational responsibilities of the ADEFUA board of directors and ACAC.

The Trust agreement is binding for a renewable minimum of 14 years.

We are dedicated to providing free community days for community to have no barriers for being a part of ACAC.

To learn more about the Trust, contact us:

ADEFUA Board of Directors info@adefuacenter.org

ACAC info@africanculturalartscenter.com

Provide your key contact and interest.

Capital Campaign Team

Afua Kouyaté, ACAC CEO

Leoma James, Executive Assistant

Five Dot, Architects and Construction Management

Twanda Hill, Marketing, Graphic Design, Event Planning

Curtiss Calhoun, Curtiss Calhoun Coaching & Consulting

Laurie Sylla, Grant Writer and Editor

Nefi Clark, Community Outreach Team Coordinator

Consultants & Contractors

Five Dot Architect

One World Arts Exchange

Twanda Hill & Associates

And more to come!

Next Steps:

We plan to purchase and renovate this space to assure that this building, which has offered Black-centered cultural programming since the 1990s will continue to exist as a cultural space and landmark for this community.

We plan is to hire an operations manager and through volunteers, interns, apprentices, and additional staffing once funding is procured, to have individuals responsible for program development, curation, volunteer coordination, community outreach, marketing and promotion, and development. Community residents will be prioritized for these roles. The CAB will be key in setting direction through a community engagement process.

Community Advisory Board (CAB)

The Voice of the Community.

ACAC has developed it’s Community Advisory Board with the intention of at least 50 percent of board members hailing from Africa.

Kwame Harris, ADEFUA Performing Alumni, and Property Trustee who's gifting ACAC the land for community work.

Laurie Sylla, One World Arts Exchange, who has expertise in program management, grant writing and love for African Cultures.

Nefi Clark, a multicultural experience curator, DJ Afreesha. She showcases the arts in a fusion of music mixing in the USA.

Bernie Hall, a retired Educator, who spends time traveling collecting sacred art collections from around the world.

Zeynab Koroma-Traverse, Member and the founder and producer of the annual Africa Fashion Week Seattle.

Celeste Mann, Secretary, ADEFUA Executive Board Member

Oveta Scott Hunter, Out of retirement, 'Let's Talk Food' Lead for the Central Area Senior Center.

Executive Board

ACAC is currently seeking to expand our Executive Board Members.

Phase 1

Fundraising for Procurement and Capital Costs (early phases)

Community Outreach Team

Capacity Building = Growth Strategies for ACAC & ADEFUA in community

Pre-Construction (Assessments, Surveying)

Phase 2

Fundraising for construction costs

Community outreach

Pre-construction and remodeling

Phase 3

Fundraising for Operational and Programmatic costs (later phase).

Community Outreach/Forums

Construction

Grand Opening!

Fundraising Schedule

Saturday, March 25th, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Jackson Street Apartments, Gallery - Happy Hour -

Sunday, May 21st, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Jackson Street Apartments, Cabana

- Brunch & Bubbles -

Saturday, November 18th, 5:00-9:00 pm

Odunde Dinner, Gala and Show Fundraiser

Silent Auction, Live Auction, Dessert Dash & More!

Northwest African American Museum, Seattle

RSVP Required

Membership

ACAC Sustaining African Arts

A Rainier Valley Community Campaign

~Your Annual Membership supports our operations ~

ACAC $200 Membership - $200.00 (USD)

Benefits include:

1 ACAC T-shirt

10% discount to ACAC events

1 annual VIP event for members only

Quarterly newsletter, '1st Glance'

First Notice of Upcoming Events

Post Your Business in the Online Membership Directory

ACAC $125 Membership - $125.00 (USD)

Benefits include:

1 ACAC T-shirt

10% discount to ACAC events

Quarterly newsletter, '1st Glance'

First Notice of Upcoming Events

Post Your Business in the Online Membership Directory

General Membership - $75.00 (USD)

Benefits include:

Annual supporters benefit:

Quarterly Newsletter, '1st Glance'

First Notice of Upcoming Events

Post Your Business in the Online Membership Directory

Sustaining African Arts

A Rainier Valley Community Campaign

WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE? WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE? WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?

BE A PART OF BUILDING

SUSTAINABLEARTSINTHE98118.

Community Giving Benefits:

Platinum Level $1,000

Listed as a Donor in quarterly Newsletter

Your name listed on the official ACAC T-Shirt (confirm by Oct 20, 23)

Priority Facility Booking

VIP access at fundraising events

Gold Level $500

Listed as a Donor in quarterly Newsletter

Priority Facility Booking

VIP access at fundraising events

Silver Level $250

Listed as a Donor in quarterly Newsletter

Priority Facility Booking

Every dollar goes toward the property acquisition, predevelopment and construction of the African Cultural Arts Center!

$1,OOO+

$500+

$250+

Listed as a Donor in quarterly Newsletter

Bronze Level $100 $100+

Sustaining

LET US KNOW HOW YOU LET US KNOW HOW YOU LET US KNOW HOW YOU WILL SUPPORT WILL SUPPORT WILL SUPPORT

Want to join us or learn more?

This is exciting and we’re going to make this happen

- you’ll want to be involved!

TAKE THE SURVEY

https://bit.ly/ACACSurvey

WE WOULD LOVE YOUR GIFT!

Donate: https://bit.ly/ACACDonate

https://www.africanculturalartscenter.com

SIGN THE PETITION

Sign a petition on Action Network telling Seattle City Council to Support A.C.A.C: A Rainier Valley Community Campaign to Sustain African Arts and Culture.

DOWNLOAD THE ACAC FUNDRAISINGPACKET

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