Contact:
Rose Intveld
Communications Specialist
Rose.Intveld@snoco.org
425-388-6621
Snohomish County Seeks Input on the Future of Arts and Culture Project
The Arts Commission is seeking input to inform decisions and bolster future demand for arts and culture throughout Snohomish County
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., September 29, 2022 – Snohomish County is seeking input through December 31, 2022 on preferences for arts and culture experiences, activities, and community spaces to support economic growth opportunities across the county. Residents, cultural workers, businesses, and those who are interested in Snohomish County arts and culture are urged to weigh in through two brief project surveys at https://bit.ly/SnoCoArtsFutures.
“Dramatic declines in the county arts and culture sector employment started in 2018 and worsened during the Pandemic,” said Snohomish County Arts Commission Vice Chair Kari Johnson, an advisor to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Arts and Culture Economic Recovery Strategy. “That is significant because, on average, sales multipliers in the arts and culture industry can be higher than that of manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.
On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the Snohomish County Council voted unanimously to eliminate a maximum dollar amount for projects subject to 1% contribution to the Arts Fund, amending Chapter 2.95 in Snohomish County Code. The change will increase resources for county arts programs.
Local arts and culture institutions tell the stories of who we are,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Our quality of life and economy across the Pacific Northwest are strengthened by our arts and culture community.
Economic development firm Better City is engaged for the Futures Project, with support from Snohomish County’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and Long-Range Planning staff. Phase one will analyze sector strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The resulting 2023 report will aid in shaping policies in the County’s Comprehensive Plan and the Futures Project phase two sector opportunity road mapping.
Links to the Survey
Resident/visitor survey- https://bit.ly/ArtsFuturesSurveyResidentVisitor
Creator survey- https://bit.ly/ArtsFuturesSurveyCreators
Ideas map- https://bit.ly/ArtsFuturesIdeasMap
Ideas board- https://bit.ly/ArtsFuturesIdeasBoard
Media- https://bit.ly/ArtsFuturesMedia
About the Snohomish County Arts Commission
The purpose and role of the Snohomish County Arts Commission is to propose and oversee a county arts program, to serve as an advisory board to the executive branch of county government, and to perform arts-related duties. The Commission vision, mission and founding principles guide recommendations, advocacy, and service to Snohomish County.