washington business
Connect
Recognizing a business whose products and / or services have positively impacted the way in which Washington employers and communities are connected to each other and the world. winner of the connect award
Seattle Symphony, Seattle Founded: 1903 Number of employees: 246
Embodying the Award( Connect): Believing that music is a universal force for inspiration and wellbeing, the Seattle Symphony works with 60 local nonprofits to help Seattle’ s homeless population. The symphony gives away thousands of free concert tickets, supports shelter programs and brings music into prisons. Through its Simple Gifts events and comprehensive Community Connections program, the Seattle Symphony is bringing hope and dignity to some of Seattle’ s neediest residents.
About the company: With a dedicated subscriber base of more than 25,000 patrons, the Seattle Symphony presents more than 200 performances a year to more than 315,000 people. It has received numerous awards, most recently a 2015 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition,“ Become Ocean.” As stated in its mission statement, the Symphony“ Unleashes the power of music, brings people together, and lifts the human spirit.”
Notable contributions to the community and the state: The Seattle Symphony’ s extensive education and community engagement programs reach more than 65,000 children and adults each year. The Symphony is deeply committed to new music, commissioning many works by living composers each season. In 2014 the Symphony launched its in-house recording label, Seattle Symphony Media.
What the judges said:“ Simple Gifts engages homeless people to connect with their creativity... They are rethinking how music / art empowers, giving away 6,000 tickets for this purpose.”
Quote:“ We hear from our partners that what we do makes an enormous difference to their clients. We believe, as they do, that engaging in creative work makes the‘ invisible’ visible, it builds confidence, influences self-perceptions and connects people to their own creativity.”— Simon Woods, president and CEO, Seattle Symphony
Website: www. seattlesymphony. org
other finalists for the connect award
Expedia, Inc., Bellevue
Whether through its mobile app, booking site or simply by making travel easier, Expedia is in the business of connecting people. This Washington-grown company now has 160 offices around the world, and supports its employees with paid time to give back to their communities. Expedia also encourages its employees to travel by giving them an annual travel allowance.
Mill Creek Pub, Battle Ground
The Mill Creek Pub’ s decor, including a working water wheel and flume inspired by the nearby Cedar Creek Gristmill, connects visitors with the area’ s history. Owner Russell Brent aims to also connect community members with one another. Whether people are gathering to discuss city business or support one another through fundraisers, the Mill Creek Pub is a place where people can hash out their differences, not wallow in them.
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