KEXP at Seattle Center

UPDATE 12/16/10

On Dec. 15, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced his proposal for future uses of Seattle Center--including a new and expanded home for KEXP in the Northwest Rooms.

The move is an opportunity to transform the music station into a music center that will allow people to experience hundreds of live music performances each year at no charge. It is seen as a win not only for the internationally-renowned radio station and the Seattle Center campus, but also for the bustling Lower Queen Anne community.

 “We see the upper Northwest Rooms offering  visitors and passers-by the chance to discover and witness music being curated, produced and performed,” said Tom Mara, executive director of KEXP.

“We have a vision for opening up the concrete walls with more windows around the building to let people take in live performances and watch KEXP’s music staff at work. The vision also includes an adjacent live stage to connect folks to artists in an outdoor setting. Indoors, we envision a gallery where people could come in to watch an in-studio set and then take a tour of KEXP’s studios.”

The Dec. 15 announcement marked the culmination of a long and thoughtful process to redevelop property on the Seattle Center campus. Mayor McGinn will also recommend that an exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s glass art be approved for Seattle Center’s Fun Forest site, next to the Space Needle. The City Council must now approve Mayor McGinn’s recommendations.

New and expanded partnerships are already in motion between KEXP and Seattle Schools, Seattle Public Library, the Vera Project, EMP, Seattle Channel and the University of Washington.

KEXP’s mission is to enrich people’s lives by championing music and discovery. It is the place where listeners from all over the world go to experience and discover a mix of music they can’t find anywhere else. More than 180,000 listeners from all seven continents tune in to KEXP every week; more than 75,000 unique users visit KEXP.org every week; and more than 10,000 people stream KEXP everyday.

KEXP and Pyramid began partnering in 2008 when Pyramid worked with KEXP to define its brand and establish its presence on WNYE in New York. In June 2010, Pyramid began supporting KEXP with messaging, community relations, government relations and strategy in its effort to make its home at Seattle Center.

UPDATE 12/15/10

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced plans for Seattle Center today, including a new 27,960-square-foot studio for KEXP. More here.

UPDATE 9/17/10:

The Fun Forest review panel has issued its support to redevelop the Fun Forest Pavillion into a Chihuly Exhibition Center. Read KEXP's response here.

ORIGINAL STORY 9/8/10:

In June, public radio station KEXP submitted a proposal to redevelop the Fun Forest Amusement Park at Seattle Center. They are one of nine organizations vying for the chance to call Seattle Center home.

KEXP’s mission is to enrich people’s lives by championing music and discovery. It is the place where listeners from all over the world go to experience and discover a mix of music they can’t find anywhere else. More than 180,000 listeners from all seven continents tune in to KEXP every week; more than 75,000 unique users visit KEXP.org every week; and more than 10,000 people stream KEXP everyday.

Having outgrown its current space, KEXP is looking to make a new home at Seattle Center, deepen its civic role and—most importantly—connect more people to more artists. KEXP at Seattle Center would attract visitors from around the world, as well as Seattle residents who would return to the Center again and again for hundreds of free in-studio performances, a curated outdoor busking program, 30,000 square feet of green space and more.

KEXP and Pyramid began partnering in 2008 when Pyramid worked with KEXP to define its brand and establish its presence on WNYE in New York. Pyramid is currently supporting KEXP with messaging, community relations, government relations and strategy regarding its Seattle Center bid.