Giving Tuesday: Fundraising for our New Facility

As Allied Arts of Whatcom County celebrates our 46th year of fostering creativity and cultural engagement, we are thrilled to share a pivotal milestone in our journey with you. In December 2024, we relocated to a beautiful new facility at 1213 Cornwall Avenue in downtown Bellingham, directly across from the Hotel Leo. Our new beautiful, state-of-the-art facility features private offices, increased pedestrian foot traffic, and a loading dock for artwork and donation drop-offs and pick-ups.

We must raise $65,000 to cover the costs of moving and outfitting the facility to fit our needs, including ADA-accessibility features, quality lighting, movable walls for the gallery, and custom racks and shelving. Will you please help us reach our goal?

Allied Arts 2025 Membership Show at 1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA

Some key elements that we are seeking funding for include:

• ADA Accessibility Features: We strive to make our locations as accessible as possible for our staff, volunteers and clients. There are elements such as handrails that we would like to add to help make everyone feel welcome.
• Additional lighting, sound system and security: Upgraded lighting will allow us to showcase artwork with professional precision, ensuring that every piece is displayed to its fullest potential. Updating the sound system and security will create a more inviting experience for visitors and safety for our staff and volunteers.
• Storefront signage: High-quality signage will increase the visibility of our new location, attracting more foot traffic and enhancing our connection with the local community. This increased exposure will help attract new visitors and further our mission of making the arts accessible to all.
• Movable walls for the gallery: These versatile, reconfigurable walls will provide greater flexibility in curating exhibitions, enabling us to host a wider range of shows and adapt the space for different types of events. This adaptability will allow us to serve a more diverse array of artists and audiences.
• Custom racks and shelving: Purpose-built storage solutions will ensure the proper organization of artwork, thrift store inventory, arts education supplies, and event equipment, enhancing our operational efficiency and allowing us to seamlessly support a variety of programs and exhibitions.

This move holds great significance, as we have carefully considered input from stakeholders and our space needs after three decades in our previous venue. These assessments, along with the generosity of our community, have led us to this transformative opportunity to design a space that aligns with the vision of our growing organization and deepens our engagement with our vibrant arts community.

Left to Right: Vin Quenneville (Board Member), Liz Smyth (Cultural Outreach & Arts Ed Coordinator)Our New Location: Allied Arts of Whatcom County Art Supply Thrift Store at 1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA

Through our diverse programs, we proudly engage over 50,000 people annually. Receiving the Governor’s Arts Award for Community Involvement highlights the difference we’ve made, but there’s more to do. The new facility will offer state-of-the-art gallery spaces and greater visibility, allowing us to support local artists, invigorate the arts scene, and create a vibrant hub for creative expression in Whatcom County.

Left to Right: Alex Daluiso, Lena Miltimore, and Liz Smyth at the 45th Annual Holiday Festival of the ArtsRachel Simpson (right) leads a free Children's Art activity.

It is through your involvement that we can expand our reach. Here’s how we impact our community:

• Arts in the Schools: There are currently no art teachers in Whatcom County's public elementary schools. Allied Arts has a number of teaching artists available to be placed in schools with your funding. In addition, by adding Indigenous teaching artists, we are bringing much-needed, diverse arts education to local students.
• Festivals: Celebrating diverse cultures and vibrant arts at events like the Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival and Holiday Festival of the Arts, attracting over 16,000 annual visitors and fostering cultural exchange and commerce within the community.
• Art Supply Thrift Store: Reducing barriers to art supply accessibility by offering "pay what you can" options and donating original artwork to local organizations, ensuring the arts are accessible to all.

The relocation to 1213 Cornwall Avenue represents far more than a physical move; it symbolizes our growth, evolution, and unwavering commitment to expanding our impact in Whatcom County. Your support is crucial as we embark on this exciting new chapter. Read more about the benefits of this new facility on our website.