Figures current as of October 3, 2026
Press kit
About the Foundation
The Swing Arts Foundation brings free swing dancing, live music, and beginner lessons to public spaces across Seattle, the Eastside, and south King County. Grants and donations pay the musicians, teachers, spaces, and access costs, so dancers never pay at the door. Every event begins with a lesson, welcomes people who arrive without a partner, and teaches leading and following without gendered roles. The Foundation also supports scholarships, performances, and projects that center BIPOC, queer, and underrepresented dancers. Its work treats swing as a living Black American art form and makes it easier for new dancers to find community, connection, and a place on the floor.
- Founded
- 2025, building on work Jennifer Lee funded personally since 2023
- EIN
- 39-2834205
- Service area
- Seattle, the Eastside, and south King County, Washington
- Press contact
- Jennlee@swingartsfoundation.org
Jennifer Lee
Founder
Jennifer discovered swing dancing during medical school and found far more than a hobby in it: community, connection, and belonging.
She started the Swing Arts Foundation to create meaningful, collaborative opportunities that uplift and center BIPOC, queer, and underrepresented dancers, especially those facing financial or accessibility barriers.
The Foundation exists to amplify voices that have historically been excluded from the dance community. It does that with events that are free at the door, lessons that require no partner, scholarships for people who want to keep learning, and rooms that are easy to walk into.
Jennifer runs the programming and books the bands. She is the person who answers the email.
Current impact
- Attendances
- 563
- Evenings of free dancing and instruction
- 17
- Artists paid
- 78
- Community partners
- 4
Funders and community partners
- City of SeaTac · Community partner and Funder
- City of Bellevue · Community partner
- Bellevue Community Programming Fund · Funder
- City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture · Funder
Recent completed events
- Free Lindy Hop classes at the SeaTac Community Center, September 2026
Wednesday, September 2 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · SeaTac Community Center
- Free Jazz and Swing Dance at Bellevue City Hall, 2026
Thursday, June 18 to Thursday, July 2, 2026 · Bellevue City Hall
- Free Lindy Hop classes at the SeaTac Community Center, June 2026
Wednesday, June 3 to Wednesday, June 24, 2026 · SeaTac Community Center
- Performance at Camp Jitterbug
Sunday, May 24, 2026 · Reverie Ballroom
- Free Lindy Hop classes at the SeaTac Community Center, May 2026
Wednesday, May 6 to Wednesday, May 27, 2026 · SeaTac Community Center
Events before 2025 were funded personally by Jennifer Lee, before the Foundation was incorporated.
Performance videos
- 2026 Performance (opens in a new tab)
Camp Jitterbug
- 2025 BIPOC Performance (opens in a new tab)
Great Lakes Balboa Escape
- 2023 Fast XVI Performance (opens in a new tab)
Hot Rhythm Holiday
- 2023 BIPOC Performance (opens in a new tab)
Great Lakes Balboa Escape
Podcast appearances
- Finding freedom in playfulness with Jenn Lee (opens in a new tab)
Sia Dancing
- Jennifer Lee (opens in a new tab)
Conversations in Closed
Downloads
Event photos
Download the photo package (ZIP, 15 MB)
Eight high-resolution photos from public events with a credits file.
Photo credit: Daniel Turrietta