Street Banner Design Competition- Call for Artists The Mercer Island Arts Council invite amateur and professional graphic designers to enter a competition for the design of street banners to replace the existing banners throughout the City of Mercer Island. The intent of this competition is to select a collection of 5 designs from one participant reflecting the spirit of Mercer Island based on the theme Island Icons. Deadline for submissions is Monday, May 21, 2018. To view the Call for Artist packet and all of the details click here.

Dear Islanders -

Thank you to those who participated in the public engagement process of creating an art and culture policy addendum to the City’s comprehensive plan at the March 14 Arts Council meeting, as well as the emails/letters that were submitted.  You can view public comment here.  Next steps will be for city staff and the Arts Council, to review comments and finalize a draft recommendation to the City Planning Commission.  Please check the Planning Commission’s future meeting schedule for public hearing opportunity.    
 
Sincerely,
Mercer Island Arts Council and City Staff

Draft Arts & Culture Comprehensive Plan

The Mercer Island Arts Council was established in 1985. Its mission is to nurture, promote, and support high-quality cultural arts activities for the community.

The goals of the Arts Council are:

• Advocate the arts, artists and arts organizations of Mercer Island.
• Stimulate community awareness and enjoyment of the fine arts.
• Promote community education, awareness and enjoyment of the arts.
• Support performing, visual and literary arts programs, projects and events.

Committees of the Arts Council, working with the support of Parks and Recreation staff, provide community activities such as art galleries, concerts and plays and literary events as well as support local artists with grants and acquire public art for the City.

Click here for an application to be a member of the Mercer Island Arts Council.

Member Info

Eleven volunteer citizens comprise the board which is staffed by the Parks and Recreation Department. To find out more about these committees, contact the Chair (see below). Volunteers needed! Members are appointed to four-year terms by the Mayor, and confirmed by the City Council. A City Council member serves as liaison to the group.

The Arts Council members should be able to commit an estimated eight hours of time each month to board activities. Members should possess a broad perspective on the arts, must be willing to facilitate an event that may require a relatively large time commitment for a short period.

Click here to see our current Arts Council Members