WSAC supports the arts in Washington

The benefits of arts investments ripple throughout a community in surprising ways. WSAC’s leadership and investments contribute to vital communities where people want to live, work, play, and stay. WSAC dollars support jobs, tourism, economic vitality, and opportunities for people to come together.

 

Arts Education

All students benefit from learning in and through the arts. We support efforts to make arts education an ongoing part of every student's basic K-12 education. Arts education helps students develop essential  21st century skills necessary to be innovators, problem-solvers, creative thinkers, and collaborators.

 

WSAC funding for arts in education programs teaches teachers, reaches students, and provides a great return on investment – educationally as well as financially.

 

Last year through WSAC arts education grants:

  • Over 1,600 teachers learned techniques for teaching arts concepts;
  • Nearly 90,000 students received high-quality, standards based arts instruction;
  • The State’s $500,000 investment helped leverage an additional $2 million dollars in federal, local, private, and in-kind support.

 

Community Vitality

The arts play an important role in our community vitality and identity. Public funding helps connect people to that vitality—through artworks and art events, by preserving and sharing our heritage, and supporting the cultural life of our communities.

 

Last year WSAC invested nearly $800,000:

  • In 220 small businesses (e.g. non-profit organizations);
  • In 60 cities throughout the state;
  • Helping to create over 4 million individual acts of arts participation.

 

Public Art

Public art creates jobs and enhances community spaces. Investments in public art support jobs for artists, electricians, welders, engineers, and other skilled workers. WSAC’s Art in Public Places program (½ of 1% for public art) enhances K-12 schools, parks and green spaces, and public buildings in our communities.

 

Last year through WSAC's Art in Public Places program:

  • 26 communities throughout Washington held artwork dedications;
  • Local community representatives rated WSAC's management of these acquisitions as good or excellent 100% of the time.

 

Arts and the Economy

The arts are a cornerstone of a healthy economy, and key to tourism and economic development. Arts businesses—both nonprofit and for profit—generate tax revenues, create jobs, and help businesses recruit and retain a strong workforce.

 

According to the updated Creative Vitality Index in 2008:

  • There were over 100,000 creative jobs in Washington State;
  • Arts and arts active organizations accounted for over $670 million dollars in revenue.

 

And, according to ArtsFund's just released Economic Impact study of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties:

  • Arts organizations and their patrons generate close to $2 billion in the Central Puget Sound's economy; and
  • Create 32,520 jobs.