Bellevue Arts Commission Meeting - March 5, 2026

The Bellevue Arts Commission met on March 5, 2026, to receive partner presentations, discuss a letter to the Bellevue School District regarding public use of school facilities, and hold a wide-ranging discussion on arts and culture challenges and opportunities in the city. The meeting included public comments, two partner organization updates, and substantive dialogue on space needs, corporate partnerships, and long-term planning.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Zimmerman spoke critically, claiming the council has violated his First Amendment rights by restricting public comment and issuing trespass notices. He used strong language, calling council members "Nazi bastards" and asserting that rules changed 12 years ago were aimed at him personally. He expressed support for President Trump and called for a new American revolution. His comments were not responsive to any specific agenda item.
• Bailey Fuentes, a local artist on the Bellevue artist roster and a 2025 project grant recipient, provided an update. She originally planned a mural at Evans Business Park in the Bell Red Art District, but the agreement was pulled at the last minute. She now proposes to move the mural to a nearby city-owned building used for vehicles (police, fire, utility). She has a $4,000 budget remaining and would like to execute the mural in 2026. She also noted personal changes: she moved away and has now returned, making the project more feasible. Staff indicated they would follow up.

Partner Presentations

• Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) – Kevin Wortman, Executive Director, presented. BYSO is in its 61st season, serving over 1,200 students annually. Programming includes 11 audition-based ensembles (750 active students this year), 15 concerts with discounted/free tickets, and summer camps (200 students, non-auditioned). They meet 100% of requested tuition assistance with no application process. Since COVID, enrollment has doubled from 372 to 750 students. They added two new ensembles to avoid waitlists. New initiatives include a Bridges Initiative Suite with Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue (bucket drumming at all 14 sites), private lessons in public schools (Bellevue, Renton, Lake Washington districts) serving over 400 students free of cost, and community concerts (Bellevue 4th of July, Botanical Gardens, assisted living visits). They also started a free master class series. Challenges: finding affordable rehearsal and performance space. BYSO has outgrown Meydenbauer Center and struggles to book public school spaces due to last-minute availability. They now deliver more than half of their programming outside Bellevue. Wortman expressed desire for a mid-sized performance venue (700-1,000 seats, ample backstage, parking) and noted that the city has not invested in large arts spaces. He suggested the city could learn from Kirkland and Federal Way, but cautioned against overbuilding.
• American Asia Performing Arts Theater (AAPAT) – Nuda presented on behalf of the organization, founded in 2006 to promote Asian cultural performing arts. AAPAT has produced 62 major productions, including the Nuna New Year's celebration, Butterfly Lovers, and Dream of the Golden Clown (with China National Acrobatic Troupe). They tour along the West Coast. Their dancers have won gold medals at competitions (Showstopper, YAGP, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore). They also lead community service (Seafair Torchlight Parade, visits to senior homes) and raised over $20,000 for COVID-19 relief and donated 2,000 sleeping bags to earthquake victims. In 2020, their Seattle rehearsal space was destroyed by fire. They expressed gratitude for Bellevue Arts Commission grant support, which helped them design a new building (permits expected by end of March 2026). The new space will have higher ceilings, allowing dancers to jump higher. They also perform at Meydenbauer Center. They bring performers from different states and countries, which is costly. Half of their performers are local. They plan to focus on the building expansion this year.

Discussion Items

• Bellevue School Board Letter – Staff presented an informational item on drafting a letter to the Bellevue School District. The commission has heard consistent community feedback about the need for space, especially making school district facilities publicly rentable again. The school district has five performance venues, three of which are larger than Meydenbauer Center (Newport Performing Arts Center, Bellevue High, Sammamish Performing Arts Center). These spaces were rentable before the pandemic but are no longer available. The community partnerships committee (Sandra Joy Deep, Bhavna, and an alternate) will draft the letter, which will be reviewed by the city clerk’s office for proper protocol. A commissioner suggested exploring a joint letter with the city council. Staff noted that the closure of rental spaces may have been due to budget cuts reducing theater staff, but this is unconfirmed.
• Arts in Bellevue Discussion – Open floor discussion:
  • Bellevue Art Museum (BAM) update: BAM is in receivership. A purchase and sale agreement with KidsQuest Children's Museum was approved by the court; no protests were filed. Negotiations are ongoing. BAM will have remaining funds after the sale and is looking for a new home. The Bellevue Art Fair (80th year) will continue.
  • Corporate partnerships: Commissioners discussed leveraging new businesses moving to Bellevue (e.g., Amazon, T-Mobile) for arts space. Companies have large meeting rooms that could be used for rehearsals or performances, but access requires an employee sponsor. The commission could help connect arts organizations with corporate contacts. The city’s economic development team could include arts in their conversations. A commissioner noted that Microsoft and Amazon already support affordable housing partnerships that could extend to arts space.
  • 1% for the arts: A commissioner noted that a 1% for arts ordinance (applied to municipal infrastructure) was discussed years ago but not implemented. This could be revisited in cultural planning.
  • Cultural center: A commissioner advocated for a long-term plan for a city-owned cultural center, citing the 10-year timeframe typical for such projects. Other commissioners noted that a performing arts center has been studied for decades; the biggest impediment is land cost. Staff mentioned that the city’s diversity advantage team is exploring a cross-cultural center, and the Bellevue Convention Center Authority is looking at expanding facilities. Staff will validate previous studies with a fresh market analysis this year.
  • Promotion of grantee events: Staff created graphics for grantees and cross-posts on Instagram. A calendar of events is shared via Visit Bellevue. Commissioners were encouraged to share events in their networks.
  • Next steps: The commission will continue these discussions quarterly. The next meeting is April 1, 2026. An appreciation event for commissioners is planned for May 11, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were approved by voice vote (all in favor, no dissent).
• The commission will convene the community partnerships committee to draft a letter to the Bellevue School District requesting that school facilities be made publicly rentable again. The draft will be reviewed by the city clerk’s office.
• Staff will invite development services to present on the Bell Red Land Use Code amendment process, which includes incentives for arts and cultural spaces.
• Staff will share a refresher presentation on the 2004 Cultural Compass Plan later in the year, ahead of new cultural planning.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:51 PM.