Art isn’t just something nice-to-have alongside a thriving local economy—it is integral to a thriving local economy.

Washington State’s creative sector contributes nearly $120 billion to the state’s GDP — almost 20% of our state’s total economic output. That’s murals on walls, gallery showings, live music at the local wineries and pubs, painters capturing the orchards and hillsides we drive past every day. It’s the artists, makers, and creatives who give our towns their character and give visitors a reason to stop, stay, and spend.

Investing locally in the arts doesn’t just pay financial dividends — it builds the kind of healthy, connected community we’re all proud to call home.