The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is offering the Tribal Cultural Grant Program, a non-competitive grant designed to support Federally-recognized Tribes in Washington State. The program's mission aligns with ArtsWA's goal to foster arts and culture by empowering Tribal communities to expand, enhance, or create spaces for art and culture that are respectful and responsive to their unique needs. This initiative was made possible by funding provided by the Washington State Legislature in 2023, specifically to support arts and culture within Washington Tribal Communities.
The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Washington State Federally-recognized Tribes. The program aims to achieve significant impact by providing funding for a broad array of arts and/or cultural-related activities and programs. The core impact goals include strengthening Tribal communities' capacity for cultural expression, preserving and promoting Indigenous arts and traditions, and fostering equity within the creative economy by addressing historical exclusion from government arts funding for Tribes and Indigenous artists.
The grant prioritizes supporting Tribal communities in expanding, enhancing, and creating spaces for art and culture in a manner that is respectful and responsive to their specific needs. It also focuses on projects, programs, and services that span a diversity of cultural and art disciplines and traditions. A key strategic priority is fostering equity and expanding the creative economy by funding Tribes and Indigenous artists who have historically faced barriers in accessing government arts funding. This reflects a broader theory of change that by investing directly in Tribal cultural initiatives, ArtsWA can help redress historical inequities and build stronger, more culturally vibrant communities.
Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of diverse cultural and art projects, enhanced cultural spaces, increased access to programming through services like closed captioning and translation, and support for Native/Indigenous artists' professional development. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the "Funding Information" section indicates a current allocation of $18,000 per Tribe, suggesting that the success will be measured by the number of Tribes served and the range of activities undertaken. The broad eligible expenses, from artist fees to museum support and cultural classes, indicate that the program anticipates a wide array of activities, with outcomes determined by each Tribe's definition of "Tribal cultural activities," which may include language, foodways, gathering spaces, and more.
