This year, funding was awarded to 19 entities to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
This week, the County Council approved a series of Cultural Access funding awards to local Impact Grant applicants. Funded by local sales tax, this program allows for local cultural nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to support access to cultural, historical, art, and scientific experiences for residents – particularly students and underserved communities. This year, funding was awarded to 19 entities totaling approximately $384,319.00. Additionally, school districts throughout the county also received funding for programming and transportation cost, totaling about $174,000.
What is the Cultural Access Program?
In December 2024, the San Juan County Council passed an ordinance adopting a 1/10th of 1% sales tax to establish a Cultural Access Program, becoming the first rural county in Washington State to do so. Key goals of the Cultural Access Program include enhancing educational opportunities and outreach through cultural organizations, supporting equitable access to arts, science, and history programs, providing transportation support to schools for cultural activities, and funding local nonprofits.
2026 Awards
The Council awarded Cultural Access funds to the following entities:
- 404 FOUND
- Alchemy Art Center
- Center for Whale Research
- Friday Harbor Film Festival
- Friends of San Juans
- Island Allies of Indigenous Lifeways
- Island Verse Literary Collective
- Lopez Center for Community and the Arts
- Lopez Island Historical Society
- Musical Advocacy Group of Orcas Island
- Orcas Center
- Orcas Choral Society
- Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
- San Juan Community Theatre
- San Juan Historical Museum
- San Juan Island Pride Foundation
- San Juan Island Agricultural Guild
- San Juan Islands Museum of Art
- The Whale Museum
How To Apply for Future Funding
Learn more about funding opportunities and ways to participate via the review board on the County’s website.
Contact: Gabrielle Conway, Projects and Grants Coordinator (Parks, Recreation, and Fair Department), gabriellec@sanjuancountywa.gov
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