Cultural activities spur innovations by providing creative outlets and a more diverse social environment. Recreation provides opportunities for play and amusement that refresh the mind and body. A strong cultural and recreational environment increases community involvement, educates community residents, and increases social awareness. Allied Arts of Seattle was founded in 1954 to make Seattle a more livable city through citizen action.
Volunteers advocate on behalf of art, urban design and historical preservation.
Previous and on-going projects have included giving input on planning and design issues concerning renovation of Freeway Park, reopening of Pine Street at Westlake Center, and site selection for the new Downtown Seattle Library, and working with communities to preserve historic landmarks. Volunteers help in the operations of the ArtsWest gallery, coordinating concert theatre and literacy programs, and planning tours of artists' studios in West Seattle. Volunteers undergo a 10 hour training session before being placed with an arts group. Volunteers help in marketing, planning, design, legal consulting, and other professional disciplines. BVA also publishes the Puget Sound Arts Directory, a comprehensive guide listing volunteer opportunities with nearly 400 arts, cultural, heritage, and historical groups.