Doors Open Levy will support arts organizations throughout King County

Cultural organizations in King County will receive a much needed post-pandemic boost.

King Council has approved the Doors Open Levy, which will provide nearly $800 million in financial support for institutions focused on arts, science, and cultural heritage.

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci saidthe timing for the levy was critical.

“Our cultural sector, which we know is a big percentage of economic activity, has been struggling to come out of the pandemic,” Balducci said.

The funds will be distributed over the next seven years through grants administered through 4Culture, the cultural funding agency for King County. They will support arts education programs, including bringing arts instructors into schools, and ensuring arts are available in before-school and after-school programs, as well as supporting science, culture, and heritage focused organizations like museums, zoos, and aquariums.

Brian Carter, executive director of 4Culture, notes the economic impact this new funding will create.

“We typically are able to put out, on average, somewhere between $10 and $15 million per year,” Carter said, referring to the funds his office distributes in grants to the cultural sector. “This new doors open ordinance allows us to anticipate revenues of $100 million a year, going to arts, culture, and science. It's a staggering increase in governmental support.”

With many arts organizations still trying to recover from the pandemic, Carter feels this new funding is critical to assist these institutions as they navigate new ways to do business post-pandemic.

“So many cultural nonprofits are trying to find a way to emerge from the pandemic, when their business models are having to change,” Carter said. “People are reluctant to go back to the theater, or the museum, or to the aquarium, or they are slow to return. For us, it's really an opportunity for 4Culture to continue this kind of work that it's been known for, supporting organizations throughout King County.”

Balducci said these funds will also create and secure jobs in the creative economy. But just as important as jobs is the potential for positive impact on residents county-wide.

“Study after study has shown a link between cultural and arts education, and [positive] outcomes for young people in schools,” Balducci said. “It also leads to positive outcomes for seniors who are trying to maintain a quality of life.”

4Culture will begin distributing Doors Open grants in 2024.