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.
Funding Availability Information
The 2025 – 2027 Building for the Arts grant application round is now open.
To learn more about the program requirements, please click on the following links:
Please RSVP for a BFA Workshop/Webinar
Webinar – RSVP
May 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Online workshop
Seattle – RSVP
Radisson Hotel – Seattle Airport
May 21, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
San Juan Room
18118 International Blvd.
Seattle, WA 98188
Spokane – RSVP
Spokane Falls Community College
May 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Auditorium – Room 110, Bldg. 24
3410 W. Whistalks Way
Spokane, WA 99224
Yakima – RSVP
Yakima Convention & Events Center
May 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Room H
10 N 8th Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Please click on the following link to access the ZoomGrants Application
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
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