COVID-19 News Contact Us My Public Art Portal Menu "Infinite Humanity" (2017) by Todd Benson, located at Columbia Basin College, Pasco. AIPP staff leading an ArtsWA Board tour of Todd Benson’s multi-part mural, located in the Social Studies and World Languages Building at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Southeastern Washington. Click to learn more about this artwork on My Public Art Portal. Photo by ArtsWA. Part of Washington's State Art Collection. Why Are The Arts Important? The arts contribute to our quality of life. They encourage civic discourse and collective problem-solving. Public Art is a vital part of our built environment. The arts are vital to our identity. They preserve our unique cultural heritage. By supporting the arts, we support our traditions for future generations. The arts foster our children’s success in school. They stimulate imaginations. They promote critical thinking, communication, and innovation. The arts drive our economy. They create jobs and revenue. They attract business and tourism. Learn more about Washington’s vibrant arts and culture. About ArtsWA Mission: The Arts Commission is a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. Vision: The arts thrive and are celebrated throughout Washington State, and are woven into the fabric of vital and vibrant communities. Who We Are ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. We are a state agency, formed by the Washington State Legislature in 1961. Our mission is to nurture and support the role of the arts in the lives of all Washingtonians. ArtsWA values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in diverse forms of artistic expression. The arts amplify voices across all populations. Access to arts and arts education should be available for everyone. The arts can and should address inequities, model inclusion, and teach empathy. What We Do ArtsWA promotes and documents the public value of the arts. We are dedicated to accountability and accessibility. Our commissioners and staff work together to support the following main programs: Public Art. We manage and protect the State Art Collection, a shared cultural resource. Grants. We provide grant opportunities to expand art participation statewide. Creative Districts. We support communities that connect arts and culture to economic development. Arts in Education. We support high quality, standards-based arts education as a part of PreK-12 basic education. View our most current Annual Report. See how our agency is organized. View our current Strategic Plan. Read the state laws for the State Arts Commission (RCWs). Read the state statutes for the State Arts Commission (WACs). View an interactive map of our program activities (2018). Meet Our Staff Board of Commissioners Agency Policies Public Records Request These students rarely if ever get to participate in arts and culture experiences. This was only possible because of arts funding the Symphony received from the state.” – Bremerton Symphony Association LOCATION: 711 Capitol Way S., Suite 600 Olympia, WA 98501-1293 MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 42675 Olympia, WA 98504-2675 PHONE: 360-753-3860 FAX: 360-586-5351 About ArtsWA Meet our Staff News Agency Policies Public Records Request Site Map Contact Us My Public Art Portal Grants Public Art Program Creative Districts Arts in Education Partners Poetry Out Loud Teaching Artist Training Lab Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards Washington State Poet Laureate Creative Forces Center for Washington Cultural Traditions Search for: Copyright, 2019, Washington State Arts Commission Web Design & Development by Buildable