The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) has requested a $10 million allocation from the COVID-19 state relief funds passed by the Legislature at the end of the last session.
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Agency News
Congress has passed the third COVID-19 response relief package, which the president has signed into law. The package includes a $75 million allocation to the National Endowment for the Arts. Of this, 40% will be distributed to the United States’ 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies, which includes the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA).
UPDATE: As the State Poetry Out Loud Champion, Jordan Mattox, a junior at Spokane’s Mead High School was awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. However, in an unprecedented move, the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation has canceled the event over concerns of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
ArtsWA is thankful for the support of the legislature during this past legislative session. Several ArtsWA budget items have been included in the Operating and Capital budgets. Other statewide arts/cultural items are also included.
March 20, 2020 – As efforts evolve to combat the spread of COVID-19, ArtsWA is focusing on the health and economic prosperity of the arts and culture sector statewide.
March 17, 2020 – The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) office is temporarily closed until further notice. ArtsWA staff are fully available by email, phone, and through our website and the work of the agency continues.
March 17, 2020 – Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today a $1.1 million City of Seattle funding package to invest directly in creative workers and arts and cultural organizations financially impacted by COVID-19.
UPDATED – March 17, 2020 – Washington’s creative economy is being severely impacted by the fallout of the COVID 19 pandemic and the necessity of social distancing. From government relief to grass-roots efforts, we’re heartened by the individual recovery efforts already underway in our state. We can also participate in the national recovery effort. Take the Americans for the Arts Coronavirus Economic Impact Survey.
March 11, 2020 – A just-released survey is asking for feedback on the Washington State Poet Laureate program. The survey will help shape and inform future improvements to the program. The program is jointly run by ArtsWA and Humanities Washington.
(Updated) March 12, 2020 – Gov. Jay Inslee announced today, March 12 that all public and private K-12 schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties will close for the next six weeks.