Title
Update on Transition of the Olympia Creative District from the City to the Nonprofit Downtown Olympia Creative District
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on the transition of the Olympia Creative District from the City to the Nonprofit Downtown Olympia Creative District.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update on the transition of the Olympia Creative District from the City to the Nonprofit Downtown Olympia Creative District.
Staff Contact:
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director, Community Development, 360.480.9167
Presenter(s):
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Creative District is a 79-block downtown area certified by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) under RCW 43.46.100. It exists to build community connection and belonging and to create economic opportunity. The district grew out of the 2017 Downtown Strategy and the Arts, Culture and Heritage (ArCH) Profile. The City Council set its boundaries in 2018 and revised them in 2024. The City received state certification in 2019, one of the first in Washington, and the district is now recertified through 2029.
The Creative District was designed with the intention that the City would incubate and then hand leadership to a local arts organization. The City contracted with the Olympia Downtown Alliance to lead a strategic plan, and more than 650 community members took part. The Downtown Olympia Creative District Strategic Plan was presented to the City Council in February 2023. The plan recommended that one nonprofit arts organization run the district rather than the City.
Emergence of the Downtown Olympia Creative District
In 2024, the Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) carried out Strategic Plan items under a City contract including district branding, the boundary update, and input on City wayfinding. In 2025, the Downtown Olympia Creative D...
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