Title
Approval of the Cultural Access Advisory Board's Recommendation to Adjust the Inspire Olympia Funding Strategy
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve the recommendation of the Cultural Access Advisory Board to adjust the Inspire Olympia funding strategy.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Cultural Access Advisory Board's recommendation to adjust the Inspire Olympia Funding Strategy and forward to the City Council for consideration.
Report Issue:
Whether to approve the Cultural Access Advisory Board's recommendation to adjust the Inspire Olympia Funding Strategy and forward to the City Council for consideration.
Staff Contact:
Marygrace Goddu, Cultural Access Program Manager, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Marygrace Goddu, Cultural Access Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
Inspire Olympia offers competitive one-year "Impact" grants and two-year "Comprehensive" grants to local organizations whose primary purpose is to advance or preserve arts, heritage, culture and sciences, and who offer public programming. Grant application guidelines are updated and published in early November, in advance of each funding cycle.
The Olympia City Council approves the Inspire Olympia budget every year and has final approval on all Inspire Olympia grant award amounts each Spring. The Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) advises the City Council on the processes, procedures, and criteria for carrying out the goals of the Cultural Access Program and makes grant award recommendations.
The CAAB met on July 10 to review the program's current granting framework and consider funding adjustments in advance of the 2026 funding year, which will launch the second round of two-year Comprehensive Grants and the third round of one-year Impact Grants.
Based on a review of the program performance and community impacts to date, the Board recommends maintaining the current granting framework with...
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