A booming arts, culture, heritage and science industry makes King County one of the fastest-growing local economies in the world. This industry also supports our economy, accounting for 10.8% of the state’s GDP and providing over 180,000 jobs.
Luckily for Washingtonians, leaders at all levels of government understand the connection between this sector and a thriving economy.
In 2022, our state legislature increased funding for the Motion Pictures Competitive Program, Seattle Metro Chamberistered by Washington Filmworks, first created by the legislature in 2006, from $3.5 million a year to $15 million a year. Even during the height of the pandemic, the organization managed to triple the return on state investment, providing $3.78 million in funding assistance that translated to $11.5 million in spending within Washington communities. The result was Films such as “Boon,” starring Tommy Flanagan, and over 1,680 new jobs for state residents.
Arts organizations at the local level have received a much-needed boost, too. In 2023, King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council stepped up to help local artists weather the ongoing storm that COVID-19 had brought upon the industry.
On Dec. 5, King County Council passed the Doors Open levy, for access to science, heritage and the arts. Funded by a 0.1% sales tax, the levy will provide nearly $800 million in arts funding through 2031. Levy dollars will be Seattle Metro Chamberistered by 4Culture and will support everything from school arts programs to regional cultural staples like the Wing Luke Museum and the Pacific Science Center. The funding boost came at a pivotal time: during the COVID-19 pandemic, arts, heritage and culture organizations saw an overall revenue decrease of 21%, according to an op-ed written by King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Jeanne Kohl-Wells and Inspire WA Director Manny Cawaling.
The levy’s passage was the result of a long-and-hard fought battle led by arts, tourism and business advocates alongside support from local elected officials. The establishment of the program has been a priority of Executive Constantine, who introduced the legislation to the county council, and worked with 4Culture to develop the proposed program. He previously worked with 4Culture to establish new capital funding programs such as Building 4Culture and Building 4Equity that have invested significant new resources for cultural facilities. State legislation, sponsored and passed in 2023 by Rep. Julia Reed (D-District 36) laid the groundwork for a program like Doors Open after similar versions had failed in years previous. Arts, culture, heritage and science advocates and King County lawmakers wasted no time in taking advantage of the new state allowance.
Other wins at the local level include:
- The 2023 return of Bumbershoot Music Festival at Seattle Center celebrated its 50th anniversary.
- Third Stone and New Rising Sun teamed up with Amazon to distribute 5,000 free tickets to nonprofits and underserved communities.
- City of Seattle and King County each contributed $1 million to SIFF to reopen the historic Seattle Cinerama, which had closed during the pandemic.
- Amazon Studios’ “The Boys in the Boat,” directed by George Clooney, premiered in Seattle in December 2023.
- The Seattle Office of Arts and Culture received additional investment in the 2024 Budget to support arts and culture organizations still recovering from the pandemic and downtown activations.
Interested in supporting Washington’s creative economy, Washington-based businesses can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit in return for a cash contribution for Washington Filmworks in the amount of their B&O tax liability.
You can also make a tax-deductible donation to Inspire Washington to support its work in advocating for the arts across the state.