The mission of Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state.
Registration for Poetry Out Loud (POL) and POL Virtual is now open.
Join ArtsWA for a special one-time event on February 4.
Learn about the new taxes that took effect on October 1, 2025.
Arts and culture improve the lives of everyone by creating jobs and making our communities more vibrant places to live, work, and visit. The data below comes from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts.
$70.2 B
Washington arts & culture’s annual contribution to state economy
9.52%
Share of Washington’s GDP from the creative sector
191,245
Creative sector jobs in Washington
$28.7 B
Total annual compensation to Washington creative workers
Eastern Washington University (EWU) and ArtsWA are seeking an artist or artist team.
Explore Washington’s State Art Collection online! My Public Art Portal connects you to more than 5,200 artworks located at K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies across Washington State.
Washington State passed legislation in 2021 to send a statue of activist and humanitarian Billy Frank Jr. to National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. The statue is currently slated for installation in 2026.
