From a list of 350 nominees, the Office of Arts & Culture has selected 11 finalists across four different categories of artistic engagement for the 2016 Mayor's Arts Awards. These people are the stewards of their art, the ones who create spaces and opportunity for other artists to grow. I deeply dislike the word "space," especially when used in an inflated, posi-vibes art way that just means "room," which is the way I just used it, but this very strong pool of artists and organizers do seem to be connected in their ability to make space in many different ways.

In some cases, "space" can mean a physical space, which Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar owner Diana Adams has been providing on Capitol Hill for the last eight years. In addition to hosting countless art shows, Adams has opened her gallery doors to one-off poetry readings and DJ nights of all kinds.

Right next-door and in that physical space vein, Annex Theatre has been serving as a scrappy little galleon of Seattle's theatrical imagination since the late 1980s. Many, many local playwrights have produced and continue to produce politically engaged and straight up weird work here, and I hope they continue doing so forever. Annex is competing in the same category as longtime painter Alfredo Arreguín and also Fantagraphics, home to some of the world's greatest comics. I do not envy the people who have to make that choice.

The woman writer's residency, Hedgebrook, offers the kind of space that time allows. Since 1988, poets, novelists, and essayists have made their summertide pilgrimages to the cottages overlooking Useless Bay in order to create work for the world. The program has been steadily growing since the middle oughts, and they offer all kinds of educational opportunities and workshops.

Space in this context can also refer to $$$, which Boeing's community investor, Huong Vu, provides.

And, of course, there's also the space an artist makes for future artists. Eighth Generation owner Louie Gong and jazz composer/Royal Room venue owner Wayne Horvitz have been making that kind of room for years.

Here's the full list of finalists. Winners will be announced at the Mayor's Arts Awards ceremony, which is happening right before Bumbershoot kicks off at noon on Friday, Sept. 2 at the Seattle Center,

Cultural Ambassador: Diana Adams, Wayne Horvitz , Kabby Mitchell

Arts & Innovation: Louie Gong, Hedgebrook, Seattle Music Partners

Philanthropy Award: Ellen Ferguson, Huong Vu

Legacy Award: Alfredo Arreguín, Annex Theatre, Fantagraphics

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODYYYYYYYYY