The shows will go on across the state as 200 organizations in 36 counties receive much-needed pandemic relief grants



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News Release



july 18, 2023

Keeping summer traditions alive: Commerce, ArtsWA award over $3 million to support, restart community festivals and events

*"The shows will go on across the state as 200 organizations in 36 counties receive much-needed pandemic relief grants"*

OLYMPIA, WA ? The Washington Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association (WFEA) and ArtsWA, has awarded over $3 million in grants to 200 community events and festivals that either had to suspend operations or restart due to the pandemic. The qualifying grantees reported a total revenue loss of $73.2 million due to COVID-19.

The grants provide much-needed support to ?legacy-level? events, festivals, civic and holiday celebrations, cultural and heritage events, music festivals, and street and arts fairs ? those that have taken place for five or more years ? in communities with populations of 100,000 or less.

?Festivals and events are important to a community?s sense of place. They bring residents together and visitors from out of town,? said Commerce Director Mike Fong. ?Many of these celebrations also support other causes, from local food banks to college scholarship programs. They are an essential part of Commerce?s mission of strengthening communities and growing Washington?s economy.?

Grants could be used to restart local festivals and events suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic or to stabilize depleted budgets. Eligible grant uses included deposits on infrastructure (security, temporary fencing, staging, lights, sound equipment, etc.) and staff and labor costs. Grants ranged from $46 to $35,000 based on need and demonstrated financial losses. The program was made possible through a $10.6 million tourism relief grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Funding goals included increasing business revenues in affected communities, preserving the vibrancy, diversity and growth of events celebrating the area?s arts, history and culture and providing opportunities for entertainers, artisans and craftspeople who depend on these events for their income.

??The grant we received ensured that Tumwater could continue to provide a high-quality event for our local residents while promoting tourism and businesses from all over Washington state,? said Chuck Denney, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Tumwater.? ?Our losses through the pandemic had a significant impact on our overall budget and options for future festivals.? The grant has allowed us to return to normal operations and work toward making 2023 our best event ever.?

View a full list of grant recipients [ [link removed] ].

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Media Contacts

Penny Thomas <[email protected]>, Commerce Communications, 206-256-6106

Bruce Skinner <[email protected]>, WFEA Executive Director, 360-808-3204

Michael Wallenfels <[email protected]>, ArtsWA, 360-252-9831






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About the Washington Festivals and Events Association

WFEA is the association that provides educational opportunities and is the advocate for festivals and events throughout the State. It holds two statewide conferences each year and 18 regional seminars, delivering best practice information to its members. It also keeps them apprised of grant opportunities and generates business leads for its vendor/supplier members.

About ArtsWA

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission, a state government agency established in 1961.?ArtsWA works to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. Programs include Art in Public Places,?Arts in Education, Grants to Organizations, and other special projects. For more information, visit?arts.wa.gov [ [link removed] ].

About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department?s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit [link removed]. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com [ [link removed] ].

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