Why This Measure Matters

Benchmarking Olympia’s investment in the arts based on population sets a baseline from which to grow.

What’s the Story?

• This number is determined by the entire Arts Program general fund and Municipal Art Fund expenses per year, divided by the population of Olympia.
• These funds support Arts Walk and the Armory, annual programs such as the Percival Plinth Project, Poet Laureate, and Traffic Box Wraps, major public art projects such as the Olympia Art Crossing project, annual and major maintenance of the public art collection, and the staff and administrative support to make those projects happen.
• These costs can fluctuate depending on projects and revenues within a given year. 2024 included costs associated with pre-planning associated with the Armory that are not generally part of the Arts Program baseline budget. The 2025 investment per person is more in keeping with the investment in 2023, which may prove to be a more consistent number.

Target

Maintain current rate.

Reporting frequency