2022 Crosscut Festival Returning to Seattle University

After being forced to cancel in 2020 and going completely virtual in 2021, the Crosscut Festival is back this year, with a few new wrinkles but the same type of great content and headliners. The festival runs May 4-7, with programming all day at Seattle University on Saturday, May 7. 

“The pandemic forced us to cancel the 2020 festival just days before we were going to announce our lineup. …That was fun,” says Jake Newman, director of events for Cascade Public Media. “Now with virtual sessions during the week and in-person events all day at Seattle University on Saturday, we’re thrilled to get back together in real life!”

Cascade Public Media, which operates KCTS9 and Crosscut, amplifies its mission—“Inspire a smarter world”—with the Crosscut Festival. Seattle University, likewise, is committed to fostering ideas and bringing speakers to campus that engage students and the community in critical thinking and opportunities to build campus traditions. And, therefore, a partnership was born! Since the inaugural event in 2018, more than 3,000 ticket holders have come to campus to experience all that the Crosscut Festival offers. 

The events planned for May 7 are both hyper-local and simultaneously global. For instance, the mayors of Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma will appear on stage together to discuss the successes of the past, the challenges of the future and the intersecting nature of cities. Dr. Vin Gupta, MD, MPA, a public health physician, professor and health policy expert will speak about COVID-19 and how it highlighted health care in this country and around the globe. Gov. Jay Inslee will speak on COVID, too, as it relates to Washington and our path forward.

And think of any topic at the top of your mind right now. Education? It’ll be discussed. Homelessness and public safety? Covered. Issues around drug abuse, sustainability, indigenous communities and food? All of the above.

“The hardest part of curating a festival like this isn’t deciding what to program,” explains Newman. “It is editing out so many worthy conversations and ideas. We try our best to pick issues that feel like they capture the most pressing conversations we’re having. We wish we could have added 30 more sessions.” 

Befitting the hybrid nature of the festival, there are a few different ticket options. So, if you’d like to learn from an incredible cross-section of speakers, be in community with the curious and lifelong learners and experience something that may make you just a little bit smarter, come enjoy Seattle University and the 2022 Crosscut Festival. Oh, and there will be food trucks, drinks and (fingers crossed!) beautiful weather. 

Are you an SU student looking for an opportunity to get involved in the Crosscut Festival at Seattle University? Fill out the application for the Cascade Public Media volunteer program at www.cascadepublicmedia.org/volunteer. Their volunteer manager, Cathryn, will be in contact within 48 hours.