The Vera Project, or VERA, is an

all-ages A family-friendly product or service is one that is considered to be suitable for all members of an average family. Family-friendly restaurants are ones that provide service to families that have young children. Frequently, family-friendly produc ...

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

youth Youth is the time of life when one is young. The word, youth, can also mean the time between childhood and adulthood ( maturity), but it can also refer to one's peak, in terms of health or the period of life known as being a young adult. You ...

arts organization in

Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...

, Washington.

Overview

Based on the Vera club in

Groningen Groningen (; gos, Grunn or ) is the capital city and main municipality of Groningen province in the Netherlands. The ''capital of the north'', Groningen is the largest place as well as the economic and cultural centre of the northern part of t ...

, Netherlands. The name Vera comes from the phrase Veri Et Recti Amici, which is Latin meaning "true and sincere friends". Seattle's VERA Project was founded in 2001 by James Keblas, Shannon Stewart (both studied at the

University of Groningen The University of Groningen (abbreviated as UG; nl, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, abbreviated as RUG) is a Public university#Continental Europe, public research university of more than 30,000 students in the city of Groningen (city), Groningen in ...

in 1999), and Kate Becker (founder of the Old Redmond Firehouse), along with the help of many other community organizers and the City of Seattle. A good description of the project is a quote from its own website: :''Vera is an all-ages volunteer fueled music and arts venue. By engaging participants at all levels of music production and community organizing, Vera strives to fulfill its mission to foster a participatory creative culture through popular music concerts, arts programs, experiential learning and volunteer opportunities for all ages, especially young people. Vera’s programs are always all ages, with a focus on young people ages 14 to 24. Most Vera programs are at the Seattle Center venue, and include:'' : :* Popular music concerts :* Audio engineering training :* Youth-driven governance :* Visual art exhibits :* Live and studio recording :* Leadership training :* Silkscreen printing/classes :* Event production training :* Internships :* :''These activities are initiated and driven collaboratively by Vera’s volunteers, staff, Board of Directors and youth-led Membership.''

Events

The Vera Project's first event was hosted on January 27, 2001 at the

IBEW The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is a labor union that represents approximately 775,000 workers and retirees in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Guam, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands; ...

Local 46 and featured local artists

The Murder City Devils The Murder City Devils is an American garage rock band formed in 1996. History The band's original lineup, consisting of Spencer Moody, Dann Gallucci, Derek Fudesco, Coady Willis, and Nate Manny, formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1996. Gabe Ke ...

, Botch and The Blood Brothers. Almost 1,000 people attended including local press and city officials. The Vera Project went on to host several more shows at IBEW Local 46 and then moved on to the Theatre Off Jackson when their lease expired at the IBEW Local 46. The Vera Project hosted shows at the Theatre Off Jackson until they found a longer-lasting home at 1916 4th Ave in 2002 that would be demolished a few years later for new development. The Vera Project hosted shows at various venues in Seattle until their current location, the corner of Warren Ave N. and Republican at the Seattle Center, was finished in 2007. The new Vera is open for business and hosting about two shows a week, along with a variety of other arts and media-related programming. The Vera Project has hosted many successful local and national music acts including Kaina,

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, Lightning Bolt,

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, WHY?,

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, and

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. The Bellevue,

and West Seattle versions of the School of Rock perform shows frequently at this venue.

References

External links

the Vera Project website
*
Washington Youth Voice Handbook
' includes the VERA Project
The Seattle Foundation web page for the Vera Project
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vera Project Youth-led media Social centres in the United States Non-profit organizations based in Seattle Arts organizations established in 2001 All-ages DIY venues in the United States

Overview

Events

See also

References

External links