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Waiting on hold just got a lot more enjoyable for Seattle residents. A unique partnership between the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and its Information Technology Department has resulted in an innovative program that promotes the city’s vibrant and varied music scene, supports local musicians, and makes on-hold waits more palatable, all the while raising funds to support arts education.

“The program is a great way to support local artists and expose more people to the incredible diversity of music this city has to offer,” said Mayor Greg Nickels, whose recorded voice invites callers to learn more about the music and featured artists online.

Dubbed OnHold, the program treats people calling City of Seattle offices to a broad selection of local music when they are placed on hold. The OnHold mix features independent, self-produced artists alongside internationally recognized recording artists. Featured music styles range from jazz to classical and salsa to Japanese traditional music. OnHold music rotates regularly, and the city invites Seattle-area musicians and organizations to submit recordings for consideration. Listeners can link to the Seattle musicians they hear through the city’s website, where they can buy music, check out the featured artists’ websites and concert calendars, and subscribe to a podcast of the OnHold mix. The city’s website also links to online retailers CD Baby and Amazon, and a portion of web sales revenue generated by OnHold goes to city arts education efforts while the musician’s revenue remains untouched.

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in and of communities throughout Seattle. The 15-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.