Wow. That sounds like money that could have been WAY better spent. Like a food bank.

The answer to your question is NO.

And, I know ALL arts groups are in dire straits...(actually, EVERYTHING is in dire financial straits), but it would have been nice if they could have thrown a little money to struggling, SMALL arts groups who tend to utilize monies on actual art, and not administration.

You know Jen, us at EMP|SFM work hard to keep our name short and succinct! Besides, HaFa sounds too much like laughter.

What a crock. Why does SIFF need $750,000 for "outreach"?? Isn't that just advertising and promotion, all of which will hit us up for even more money through individual donations?

From the Wallace release:

"The Wallace Excellence Award will enable SIFF to engage more young urbanites, ethnic minorities, and children and families via an enhanced Internet presence, online social networking and digital programming."

So, they're getting $750k to set up a MySpace page?

Money spent on SAM is ... mostly a waste.

But no, it's for the Fly Filmmaking and other things where kids and young adults actually make real shorts and movies - digicams are pretty cheap now.

Wallace can spend their money any way they want. It's not taxpayer dollars. Personally I would like Seattle to have a world class museum.

I also wish there was more art on the internet. It would make me more likely to go see art in person. A small screen sized picture is just an appetizer for what a meal a great work of art can be when viewes in person.