King County Announces $20M In Cultural Grants

KING COUNTY, WA — King County will soon open a new recovery fund, offering a combined $20 million in grants to help support the recovery of cultural organizations clear economic hurdles brought about by the pandemic. The latest round of grants, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, includes millions in aid earmarked for arts, culture and science organizations, along with independent movie theaters and music venues.

"Our arts industry and creative professions have struggled throughout this long pandemic," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "These grants will help save our exhibition spaces, concert venues, movie theaters, and creative places where we congregate and foster the culture that makes King County special. We want to ensure that, as we find our way back to normal, King County's cultural life can bounce back too — vigorously and safely."

Here are the four categories with funds allotted for the new grants:

• $16.5 million to arts, culture, and heritage organizations with a pre-COVID 19 full operating season annual budget of more than $1 million.
• $1.5 million to science organizations that promote science and nature conservation through education, exhibition, and other programs by public admission in King County.
• $1 million to independently owned and operated live music venues.
• $500,000 to independently owned and operated movie theatres.

County officials said an additional $300,000 will help support organizations that host after-school cultural programs. The county will begin accepting applications on Monday, Sept. 13, and they will be due by Oct. 18. Learn more about the program via King County Creative.