Building for the Arts

Building for the Arts was created by the Legislature in 1991 to award grants to performing arts, art museum, and cultural organizations. The program awards grants to performing arts, art museum, and cultural organizations for as much as 33 percent state match of eligible project costs for acquisition, construction, and/or major renovation of capital facilities.

Performance Art Hall

Funding Availability Information

On May 25, 2022, we hosted an informational webinar to provide you with information about the upcoming grant opportunity and how to apply. We also reserved time at the end of the webinar to answer questions. To view, please click here:

The 2023-25 Building for the Arts grant application round is now closed. The next funding opportunity will be in the spring of 2024. To learn more about the program requirements, please click on the following links:

Project Qualifications

This is a reimbursement-style grant and operating costs are ineligible. The grants are funded by the sale of state bonds only. Awardees are selected through a competitive grant application process held every two years.

Grant applications are screened by staff and then ranked by an advisory board of Building for the Arts experts.

There is a maximum grant award amount of $2,000,000.

Ranking  criteria  include:

  • Ability  to  complete  the  project  expediently.
  • Organizational  capacity  to  run  the  facility  effectively.
  • Community  need.
  • Availability  of  other  funding  sources.

The state’s investment in these local projects provide:

  • Temporary construction jobs.
  • Permanent arts-related jobs.
  • Improved quality of life for residents.

When in doubt, ask us questions! The ideal time to begin talking to us is before you start writing your application. Please call our staff at (360) 725-3075, or email us at capprograms@commerce.wa.gov with any program questions you may have.

Related law

43.63A.750 RCW

Need help?

Sarah Alway
Building for the Arts Program Manager
sarah.alway@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-2978

Program Staff
capprograms@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3075