A Very Positive Progress Update May24, 2018
PACE, formerly called The Tateuchi Center, a major performing arts hall planned for downtown Bellevue, is as important to County residents as McCaw & Benaroya Halls, which receive $17 million and $8.4 million respectively. Accordingly, executive committee members agreed to a county funding strategy that involves working with county leadership to replace and perhaps increase the County’s investment in PACE. This is a very exciting time for PACE, as they have chosen a new CEO and work continues to update the building’s plans, readying them for submittal to City of Bellevue for building permit issuance.
PACE has chosen Ray Cullom, 52, as its CEO starting August 1st. Mr. Cullom has worked in theater development, construction and renovation for almost three decades, including holding a senior position with Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, working with theaters all over the world. Some of his projects include being an executive director of the Zorlu Center for the Performing Arts in Istanbul, Turkey, overseeing programming and operation of the largest and most technologically advanced performance venues in the world.
Currently, PACE has raised $127.4 million, more private gifts than any other arts capital project in the region. Campaign efforts continue to focus on finding naming gift donors whose contributions will serve to “top off” the major gifts portion of this Campaign. PACE will deliver robust arts education programs and a world-class facility for performances of all kinds.
PACE was a result of HR², formerly Hebert Research, which clearly proved that the demand for a an Eastside Performing Arts Center was critical to meeting the Eastside patrons who wanted a world class venue that was far more accessible than Seattle,” according to Jim Hebert the original researcher and one of the founding board members.