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  1. Home
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  3. State Profiles

Washington

Facts and Figures

In the past five years, the National Endowment for the Arts distributed $20,348,708 in federal funding, either directly or through state and regional partners, in the state of Washington.

In the most recent information (2023) from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA), which is produced jointly by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Office of Research & Analysis and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Commerce Department, Washington...

  • Added 9.8 percent or $79 billion to the state economy from arts and cultural production
  • Employed 190,684 workers in the arts and cultural industries, with workers earning wages and benefits totaling $33.4 billion

Nearly 45 percent of Washington’s adults attended live music, theater, or dance performances, while more than 18 percent attended art exhibits, according to the 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau.

In addition to offering direct grants, the NEA supports national initiatives benefiting people across the country. Over the last five years:

The Blue Star Museums program provided free admission to thousands of active military personnel and their families at 119 participating museums in Washington. 

More than 13,437 students from 162 high schools in Washington participated in Poetry Out Loud. 

The NEA Big Read program generated community events focused on reading outstanding American literature and involving more than 2,634 adults and students in Washington.


Washington Fact Sheet

On this page, find information on the arts and culture for the state of Washington, and how the National Endowment for the Arts has supported the arts in communities throughout the state. 

To find a list of grants awarded by the agency to Washington, go to our Recent Grant Search. 

State Highlights

Carriere
Ed Eugene Carriere (Suquamish): NEA National Heritage Fellowship Tribute Video (2023)
May 06, 2024
View Video
A group of students and one male adult stand in front of a gallery of artwork.
Grant Spotlight: Vashon Center for the Arts
Aug 16, 2024
We spoke with Stephanie Johnson Blomgren of Vashon Center for the Arts about her advice for teachers who want to implement the arts in their lessons and the importance of community arts programming for everyone.
Read Blog
A band playing at a museum.
Improvising with the Community
Since its formation in 1984, Earshot Jazz has diligently worked to cultivate a rich appreciation for jazz music in Seattle, Washington, and beyond, serving as a platform where people can learn to listen to, feel, and understand the dynamic beauty of the art form.
Read Magazine Article

State & Regional Contacts

Washington State Arts Commission 
11 Capitol Way S., Suite 600
PO Box 42675 
Olympia, WA 98504-2675
360/753-3860
TT/Relay: 206/554-7400 or 1-800-833-6388
info@arts.wa.gov

Creative West (Regional Arts Organization)
1743 Wazee Street, suite 300
Denver, CO 80202
303/629-1166
wearecreativewest.org 

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