Summary

Facilities to receive economic boost from Building for Culture Program

Story

Nationally recognized organizations, a major film festival, and community arts programs designed to celebrate heritage as well as remember a tragic period in world history are some of the projects that will receive funding to help maintain their buildings and preserve the arts and heritage programs that are held inside.

“Arts and culture opportunities are essential to the health of our region’s vibrant economy and community,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “Funding for these organizations will increase public access to artistic, cultural, scientific, and heritage experiences in District Four and across King County.”

The funding for maintenance, repairs, and preservation were allocated from the Building For Culture Program and unanimously approved by the County Council. Building for Culture is a partnership between King County and 4Culture, King County’s cultural services agency, using bonds backed by the hotel-motel tax to build, maintain, expand, preserve, and improve new and existing cultural facilities.

After the Council approved the creation of the Building for Culture Program, 4Culture put out a request for proposals to nonprofit arts, heritage and cultural organizations and eligible public agencies, as well as owners of national-, state-, or local-designated or eligible landmark properties. 4Culture then convened independent peer panels composed of arts, heritage, and preservation professionals, and other community representatives to review applications and make the final selections.

Click here to see the facilities receiving funding in District 4.

The bonds supporting these projects are made possible by early retirement of the Kingdome debt. State law requires that hotel-motel tax revenues King County collects this year after repayment of the Kingdome debt be directed to arts and cultural programs.