Fund the Building for the Arts Program!

“The arts elevate the quality of life in this region by fueling the economy, helping our children succeed in school and beyond, connecting communities, and providing inspiration and hope.”—ArtsFund.org

Building for the Arts was created by the Legislature in 1991 to help direct State funds to strong nonprofit arts capital projects all around Washington. Building for the Arts is an important program that provides crucial funding for Washington’s arts and cultural organizations.

Sixteen widespread and diverse projects around the state of Washington have been recommended for grant funding in the state’s 2017–2019 Budget, including theatres, museums, and performing arts centers. The state’s investments in these local projects provide temporary construction jobs, permanent arts-related jobs, and improved quality of life for residents.

However, representatives have indicated that they might consider NOT funding the entire program this year due to increased school and education funding levies passed in the 2016 election.

We believe that Washington’s commitments to support both education and the arts are not mutually exclusive, and ask our representatives to affirm the importance of the arts by including full funding for the Building for the Arts program in this year’s budget.