Voices For PACE

Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) believes strongly in building partnerships. Currently, leaders of arts organizations, government agencies, corporations, and educational institutions throughout Seattle and the Eastside have written letters of support for PACE. These letters, which collectively we are calling Voices For PACE, express excitement for PACE and the many ways in which we will positively impact the arts on the Eastside and throughout the region. The following is a list of the letters.

I enthusiastically endorse the development of PACE as a new world-class venue for professional performing arts that will serve not just the Eastside but the entire region.

James F. Tune, President & CEO, ArtsFund

We believe that PACE will enrich our local and regional arts communities, bring new jobs and economic growth to the heart of downtown Bellevue, and represent the natural evolution of the Eastside's development.

Steve Sarkozy, City Manager, City of Bellevue

PACE will bring thousands of people into the shopping and business district of Bellevue. Restaurants, hotels, and dining spots will experience a PACE multiplier as visitors stay longer, spend more, and dine out more frequently.

Betty Nokes, President and CEO, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce

Bellevue Civic Theatre believes PACE will be a huge benefit to the arts community. PACE makes sense for the arts community and the business community ... period!

Kent Phillips, Managing and Artistic Director, Bellevue Civic Theatre

PACE will provide a much needed venue where aspiring local performers can develop their skills. For this reason, Bellevue College fully endorses this project.

B. Jean Floten, President, Bellevue College

We expect all businesses, especially small and medium businesses, to directly benefit from PACE's presence. Most importantly, however, PACE will add to the cultural fabric of Bellevue and the Eastside.

Leslie Lloyd, President, Bellevue Downtown Association

The Bellevue Philharmonic enthusiastically supports the development of the Performing Arts Center Eastside. After so many years of preparation, it is now time to bring this regional vision to reality.

Lawrence J. Fried, Executive Director, Bellevue Philharmonic

Bellevue is a vibrant city and its residents will gain immensely from the cultural and entertainment venues PACE will host.

Pamela Rolfe, President, Career Specialists Inc.

We wholeheartedly support PACE's efforts and look forward to seeing a high quality, choral friendly facility on the Eastside.

Michele Berman, (Former) Board President, Philip Tschopp, (Former) Artistic Director, Cascadian Chorale

People of Indian heritage are involved in all aspects of community development, including business arts, education, where we are key contributors for the quality of life in our region. The addition of PACE will bring cultural, educational, and economic advantages to the entire region and will offer the kind of life we want for our families.

Alka Badshah, Gillian Fernandes, and Sita Vashee, Co-Chairs, Indian Community Eastside

This project has built bridges across the political landscape, bringing a number of diverse constituencies together as never before, building coalitions and community. It is something we can all get behind and work for together.

Judy Clibborn, State Representative

I'm writing now just to let you know of our interest in PACE since I'm certain that once we get closer to its completion, there will be great demand for use of the facility. We can hardly wait!

Tom Luhnow, (Former) Executive Director, Flying House Productions

Not only will PACE create real jobs and expand economic activity on the Eastside, it will also help further enhance King County's overall attractiveness and competitiveness in the global market. PACE is an important strategic step in King County and the region's efforts to retain and enhance our competitive edge.

Dow Constantine, King County Executive, King County

With seating capacity 5 times greater than what currently exists on the Eastside, we look forward to employing the amenities of a top-ranked theatre: superior acoustics, excellent seating, efficient backstage spaces, and state-of-the-art technical controls.

Holly Kerr, (Former) Executive Director, International Ballet Theatre

Performing Arts Center Eastside, in the works for nearly two decades, will add another important element to the landscape of arts and entertainment options for Eastside audiences.

Steve Lerian, (Former) Executive Director, Kirkland Performance Center

[We] offer our full support to this wonderful endeavor of building a first-class performance hall and regional cultural center which will be a landmark and legacy to the Puget Sound region.

Beth Brennan, Chairman, Mercer Island Arts Council

The new center for the performing arts will greatly enhance the quality of life on the Eastside and add to the growth and prosperity of the region.

Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director, Community Affairs, Microsoft

Once completed, PACE will provide PNB with the potential to expand our performance opportunities to a larger geographic area, to serve a broader constituency with in-theatre educational activities, and to elevate the stature of the Eastside as a major player in the region's cultural life.

D. David Brown, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Ballet

PONCHO'S goal of supporting great art and artists throughout the state of Washington will be advanced with the completion of Performing Arts Center Eastside.

Gordon Hamilton, (Former) Executive Director, PONCHO

I am excited that PACE offers a new home for professional performing arts on the Eastside, broadening both audiences and repertoire, expanding education programs, and creating there a greater cultural presence.

Fred Coleman, Conductor & Artistic Director, Seattle Choral Company

I am pleased to endorse the establishment of a world class facility that will attract professional performing arts to the Eastside.

Benjamin Moore, Managing Director, Seattle Repertory Theatre

Performing Arts Center Eastside is poised to play a similar, significant role in the coming of age of downtown Bellevue and the entire Eastside, and I am pleased to offer my endorsement of PACE and its capital campaign.

Gerard Schwarz, Music Director, Seattle Symphony

I view the Performing Arts Center Eastside as an outstanding opportunity for Seattle Theatre Group, an opportunity that will complement our activities.

Josh Labelle, Executive Director, Seattle Theatre Group

In providing a central Eastside home for arts education, PACE will play a vital role in expanding children's access to expert, caring instruction in the arts. The impact PACE will have on our community's future strength is virtually incalculable.

Kent Stowell and Francia Russell

PACE's very existence will create exciting opportunities for professional performing artists, and audiences, in our region—broadening repertoire, expanding education programs, and creating a greater cultural presence generally.

Wier Harman, Executive Director, Town Hall Seattle

With a well developed programming concept and business plan, PACE can attract audiences and serve its community with cultural opportunities which are currently unavailable on the Eastside.

Robb Hunt, Executive Producer, Village Theatre

As community leaders, we recognize the significance of such a project ... and have vowed to work together to ensure it receives the full support of the Legislature in the upcoming legislative session.

Judy Clibborn, Brian Weinstein, et al, Washington State Legislators

Funding for the website design of Voices For PACE is provided by a grant from the City of Bellevue through the arts program advised by the Bellevue Arts Commission.