Margo Vansynghel sometimes jokes that she’s the harbinger of doom. As the arts economy reporter for The Seattle Times, it's her job to spell out the connections between the arts and the economy here in Seattle. 

She’s written about the recent layoffs of 250 local arts workers; Seattle Art Museum employees working to unionize; and the Bellevue Art Museum's sudden closure in 2024. 

In this conversation from October 2025, Margo gives us a temperature check on how Seattle arts organizations are doing overall and says it's not time to freak out just yet. She also shares simple, actionable ideas for things we can all do to support Seattle artists and arts organizations. 

In this episode we mention:
The Seattle Symphony and its new music director, Xian Zhang
Seattle’s 13 art walks, in neighborhoods like the Central District, Capitol Hill, Belltown and Hillman City. Along with the mothership art walk, First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square
King County’s cultural funding agency, 4Culture
The Seattle Public Library’s free museum pass program.
Discount tickets to arts organizations, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Rep and Seattle Art Museum.  
Local storyteller Emmett Montgomery

MORE ON MARGO:

For more of Margo’s coverage of the arts and economy check out her articles about unexpected art experiences in Seattle and 12 ways to support the arts in Seattle. 

There’s also this visual story Margo wrote that explains 15 ways you can support local arts and artists. 

If you’d like to ask Margo for her arts suggestions based on your personal preferences, email: mvansynghel@seattletimes.com

**********

Support Meet Me Here and all KUOW's podcasts at kuow.org/meet 

Got an arts and culture idea you'd like us to talk about? Email us! arts@kuow.org 

 

Margo Vansynghel sometimes jokes that she&rsquo;s the harbinger of doom. As the arts economy reporter for The Seattle Times, it's her job to spell out the connections between the arts and the economy here in Seattle.&nbsp;
She&rsquo;s written about the recent <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/culture/seattle-arts-groups-are-laying-off-staff-what-do-arts-lovers-lose/">layoffs of 250 local arts workers</a>; <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/seattle-art-museum-employees-are-unionizing/">Seattle Art Museum employees working to unionize</a>; and the <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/bellevue-arts-museum-kidsquest-announce-bam-building-will-be-sold/">Bellevue Art Museum's</a> sudden closure in 2024.&nbsp;
In this conversation from October 2025, Margo gives us a temperature check on how Seattle arts organizations are doing overall and says it's not time to freak out just yet. She also shares simple, actionable ideas for things we can all do to support Seattle artists and arts organizations.&nbsp;
In this episode we mention:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The <a href="https://www.seattlesymphony.org/?%40%40item_date=%3E10%2F20%2F2025">Seattle Symphony</a> and its new music director, <a href="https://www.seattlesymphony.org/music-director">Xian Zhang</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Seattle&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.seattleartwalks.com/">13 art walks</a>, in neighborhoods like the Central District, Capitol Hill, Belltown and Hillman City. Along with the mothership art walk, <a href="https://pioneersquare.org/art-walks/">First Thursday Art Walk</a> in Pioneer Square</li>
<li aria-level="1">King County&rsquo;s cultural funding agency, <a href="https://www.4culture.org/">4Culture</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">The Seattle Public Library&rsquo;s free <a href="https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/arts-and-culture/museum-pass">museum pass program</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Discount tickets to arts organizations, including <a href="https://www.pnb.org/season/offers/">Pacific Northwest Ballet</a>, <a href="https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/ticket-information/ticket-discounts">Seattle Rep</a> and <a href="https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/programs/discounts">Seattle Art Museum.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Local storyteller <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emmettmontgomery/?hl=en">Emmett Montgomery</a></li>
</ul>
MORE ON MARGO:
For more of Margo&rsquo;s coverage of the arts and economy check out her articles about <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/immersive-experiences-and-more-seattle-art-trends-to-try/">unexpected art experiences </a>in Seattle and <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/culture/2022/12/so-you-want-support-seattle-arts-heres-how/">12 ways to support the arts in Seattle.&nbsp;</a>
There&rsquo;s also this visual story Margo wrote that explains <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/15-ways-to-support-seattle-area-arts-and-artists/">15 ways you can support local arts and artists.&nbsp;</a>
If you&rsquo;d like to ask Margo for her arts suggestions based on your personal preferences, email: <a href="mailto:mvansynghel@seattletimes.com">mvansynghel@seattletimes.com</a>
**********
Support Meet Me Here and all KUOW's podcasts at <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/meet">kuow.org/meet&nbsp;</a>
Got an arts and culture idea you'd like us to talk about? Email us! <a href="mailto:arts@kuow.org">arts@kuow.org</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we’re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There’s a lot to do in this region, so let’s make some plans and go experience it together.

Meet Me Here&nbsp;is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we&rsquo;re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There&rsquo;s a lot to do in this region, so let&rsquo;s make some plans and go experience it together.

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. 

Meet Me Here

Seattle Times arts and economy reporter Margo Vansynghel shares tips about how to support local arts