AAF's 2026 Block Awards at Gage Academy

Free admission to this event is made possible, in part, by a generous gift from the Kalman and Ida Wolens Foundation and grants from , , and .

Thank you also to the local arts champions who made in-kind donations to this award – , , and – and to , our gracious hosts for the evening!

On May 15th we celebrate 52 remarkable student artists from Seattle public high schools: the 2026 recipients of the Robert J. Block Awards for Excellence in the Arts. 🏆 All of the arts community is welcome, but we extend an extra-special invite to these remarkable young artists, their art teachers, parents, and friends!

We look forward to gathering with you to celebrate this year’s honorees and the community that makes their work possible! This awards ceremony is free and open to the public, with live music and small bites.

Where: Gage Academy of Art in South Lake Union (2107 Westlake Avenue; driving, transit, and parking recommendations are available on Gage's website)

When: Friday, May 15th, 6:00–8:00PM

Cost: Free to attend for all ages! Even the parking is free!

Founded in 1998, the Block Awards recognize exceptional artists in Seattle's public high schools whose dedication to the arts distinguishes them within their school communities. Selected by teachers and counselors, these students represent a breadth of creative practices – from performance and writing to music and visual art – and reflect the vitality of arts education in Seattle.

Through this program, Allied Arts Foundation continues its commitment to elevating youth voices, supporting arts education, and recognizing that artistic expression and exploration are major contributors to student happiness and success. To date, more than 1,250 awards have helped launch the next generation of creative thinkers and leaders.

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Host or Publisher Allied Arts Foundation