Local arts groups tell Bellevue Arts Commission funding, space and access remain priorities

The Bellevue Arts Commission heard presentations April 23 from three Eastside arts organizations that emphasized arts-education programs, outreach to underserved audiences and persistent venue and funding challenges.

Brooke Rose, executive director of the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, told commissioners the ensemble recently presented its first full education concert since 2020 and welcomed about 2,000 students from Bellevue and the Lake Washington School District. She said payroll for that single fifth-grade concert was about $25,000 and total event expenses exceeded $50,000, even after discounts and some grant support. ‘‘We play mostly at Bastyr,’’ Rose said, adding that school-bus costs and venue constraints limit participation. Rose described Music Mentors, a program that places paid orchestra musicians in schools at no cost to districts, and highlighted…