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Prosperity Partnership > Foundation Initiatives > Cultural Access
Cultural Access
Cultural Access Fund - Arts to Zoos
Puget Sound zoos, museums, and cultural organizations are a tremendous community asset with over 14 million visits each year, including more than one million school children. These organizations are the centerpiece of many communities, providing wonderful educational and cultural experiences for residents, visitors, and their families. They also yield significant economic benefits to individual communities and the state. For example, science and cultural organizations in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties generated statewide:
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- $1.7 billion in annual economic activity
- 41,000 jobs statewide
- $776 million in annual wages
- $73 million in state tax revenue.
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Because of the tremendous benefits science and cultural organizations provide, the Prosperity Partnership Cultural Taskforce is discussing a proposal that would give areas throughout the state the authority to create publicly funded Cultural Access Funds.
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How Would These Funds Benefit Communities?
Possible benefits:
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- Increase overall numbers of people served by the facilities and programs of these organizations, including diverse and underserved communities.
- Expand education programs for students and residents.
- Designate free/discounted attendance days.
- Discount tickets/services.
- Support emerging cultural programs.
- Strengthen and stabilize science and cultural organizations.
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What is the Cultural Access Fund Proposal?
- Legislatively the state would authorize single or multi-county regions to create Cultural Access Fund districts, which would raise and distribute public funds to scientific and cultural organizations.
- Funding would be generated by either a state sales tax credit or a voter approved sales tax increment.
- The funds would benefit three categories - existing regional and community organizations, and emerging community organizations and unique projects of regional significance.
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Non-Profit Cultural Funding Accountability
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- Appropriations to regional organizations receiving these funds would be capped at 15% of their operating budget.
- All organizations receiving these public funds would be subject to an annual audit or other appropriate financial review to assure financial accountability.
- The Cultural Access Fund would be overseen by a Board of Directors, appointed by local governments involved with the formation of the district.
- An advisory committee of business, government and community leaders would provide guidance and support.
- This funding could not replace grants and private donations.
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Contact
For more information, contact Bill McSherry, Puget Sound Regional Council bmcsherry@psrc.org, 206-971-3269.
Cultural Access Fund
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