Alignment of the ethos of DIY in opposition to an industry that cannibalizes its culture bearers.
This is a commitment to a different, better way of supporting live music, artists, and creators.
DIY shows, peer-to-peer workshops, informational zines, and more subversive programming in celebration of our local music community. Named in honor of our friend Tim Leiweke – congrats on the pardon, bud!
Want to know exactly what percentage of your ticket money goes directly to artists vs. venue fees and ticketing platforms? Hoping to find out how much $$$ VERA makes (loses) per year on all-ages shows (-$220,000 on average)? Have ideas on how to fix a broken industry? Let’s talk about it. 100% of all program funds are kicked back directly to artists.
This new, intentional focus on collaborative public education demystifying the music industry and promoting DIY culture joins our expanded slate of creative training programs for Seattle youth, including:
Equip The Kids – our suite of worker and artist-forward workforce development lab cohorts which address systemic inequities and personnel shortages in the local music and arts industries. These are our pathways in connecting young people to quality training, mentorship, and direct paid leadership both in and outside of VERA.
Ground Zero Radio – VERA’s 100% youth-run multimedia newsroom and event production program gives young, diverse voices a platform for cultural critique, editorial coverage, and community engagement.
Recording and Screen Print Studios – facilities of boundless creation, each studio within our Seattle Center home fosters new art and ideas from among the talents of our community on a daily basis, with explicit free or subsidized access to VERA’s volunteer membership.
Give to the future of all-ages art & culture.