Washington State Arts Commission

Catalyst for the Arts

Latest News

All Agency News4 Arts In Education2 Center for Washington Cultural Traditions1 Creative Districts1 Creative Forces1 Employment Opportunities2 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards (GAHA)2 Poet Laureate2 Public Art News1 Public Notices1

Agency News

ArtsWA Executive Director elected to board of National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) announced the election of a new chair and five new members to its board of directors. ArtsWA Executive Director, Karen Hanan was among three new members drawn from the state arts agency field to serve on the NASAA board. Each will serve a three-year term. The new chair, Suzanne Wise of Nebraska, will serve a two-year term. Two new at-large members each will serve a two-year term. Read the NASAA press release.

ArtsWA is hiring!

Join our team! ArtsWA is hiring an Early Learning specialist to manage our new Early Learning Arts Integration program. Read…

Join us for the 2019 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards Celebration

A festive event celebrating the 2019 honorees of the Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards. Since 1966, these have been presented…

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State Art Collection

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ArtsWA Programs & Activities

About Us

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. We are a state agency, formed by the Washington State Legislature in 1961. The Legislature recognized that the arts enrich our communities. Our mission is to nurture and support the role of the arts in the lives of all Washingtonians.

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Artist Daniel Galvez at work on his five-part mural "Legacy" (2017), located at White Pass High School, Randle. Photo courtesy of the artist. Part of Washington's State Art Collection.

Public Art

Our Art in Public Places program (AIPP) purchases and cares for artworks in state buildings, colleges, universities, and schools throughout Washington. The State Art Collection includes nearly 5,000 artworks, located where people study, work, and live.

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Creative Districts

Creative Districts helps Washington communities thrive. This award-winning program works to grow the creative sector. It helps communities turn cultural activities into economic growth.

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Arts in Education

ArtsWA works to strengthen K-12 arts education as part of, and fundamental to, basic education. The State of Washington recognizes the arts as a core academic subject. This means that all young people should have arts instruction as part of their regular school day.

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Grants

ArtsWA grants help communities nurture and grow the arts. These communities are located in rural and urban areas throughout the state. Our grants focus on cultural equity, the creative economy, and K-12 education.

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Creative Forces

Creative Forces is a national program at eleven military hospitals across the country. It is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

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Washington State Arts Commission

Latest News

ArtsWA Executive Director elected to board of National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

ArtsWA is hiring!

Join us for the 2019 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards Celebration

Explore Washington’s State Art Collection

ArtsWA Programs & Activities

About Us

Public Art

Creative Districts

Arts in Education

Grants

Creative Forces

Follow us

Explore Washington’s
State Art Collection