As one of the largest employers in Kirkland, Google aims to be a helpful neighbor by being active in the community and giving back to the neighborhoods it inhabits. This year, Google and Google.Org, Google’s philanthropy, provided grants to local non-profit community organizations including ATTAIN Housing, The Kirkland Parks & Community Foundation, Lake Washington School Foundation, Kirkland Kids Theatre-Studio East and the Kirkland Rotary and Chamber. Since 2004, their employees—with matching contributions from Google—have donated over $37 million in charitable giving to Kirkland nonprofits. And their employees have also served over 52,000 hours of volunteer and pro bono work with area nonprofits and schools.
“We’re always looking for new ways to be stronger community members. We often team up with local nonprofits to better understand local opportunities so we can co-create designs that inspire innovation, big ideas, and community,” a Google spokesperson said. And oftentimes, that means working with local artists to incorporate murals, photography, locally-sourced materials or even historical elements into their office spaces. In particular, their current partnership with ArtLifting has enabled them to support local artist communities and give back.
ArtLifting is a program that champions artists who are impacted by housing insecurity and disabilities by giving a platform to these artists that have traditionally been underrepresented in the contemporary art market. Each artist has a unique perspective, style, and story based on the diversity of their lived experiences, artistic talents, and innovative processes. The powerful combination of their artwork and stories inspire communities and drive social change. “Working with ArtLifting presented an opportunity to add a unique flavor to the Google Kirkland office that made it feel Googley and reflected the local culture while also showcasing the work of exceptional artists. Their beautiful art helps us foster a workplace of belonging and inclusivity,” says a Google spokesperson, “supporting the local community is core to Google’s workplace philosophy because if our local communities thrive, we thrive too.”
Currently there are eight ArtLifting pieces on Google’s Kirkland 6th campus.