Vancouver sets the stage for $7 million annual investment in arts, culture, heritage and science

To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofits focused on arts, culture, heritage or science, and be based in Vancouver or offer at least 55% of their programs in the city

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver City Council has approved a resolution adopting the Cultural Access Plan Policy, which will guide the city’s new Cultural Access Program. Beginning in 2026, the program will distribute an estimated $7 million annually in grants to expand community access to arts, culture, heritage and science.

To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofits focused on arts, culture, heritage or science, and be based in Vancouver or offer at least 55% of their programs in the city. Individual artists can also apply with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Any programs or activities funded through the grants must take place in Vancouver.

The policy creates five grant categories to reach organizations of all sizes. Through these grants, the Cultural Access Program aims to:

• Increase public access to arts, culture, heritage and science programming in Vancouver
• Support local nonprofit organizations and artists with stable funding
• Foster innovation and creativity
• Strengthen Vancouver’s economic and cultural sectors
• Promote equity and inclusion
• Support youth education and school partnerships

Program funding

The Cultural Access Program is funded through a City Council-approved 0.1% sales tax, which the City began collecting in April 2025. The Cultural Access program is guided by state law, and these funds can only be used for this purpose. This dedicated revenue stream is expected to raise approximately $7 million annually for the next seven years.

“This program is going to open doors for people all over Vancouver,” said Brad Richardson, chair of the City’s Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission. “We’re grateful to City Council for recognizing the importance of this program and adopting a policy that values the impact of arts, culture, heritage and science in our community.”

Next steps include creating application materials, hiring staff, launching community workshops and training courses, and forming the grant review committees that will make recommendations to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission. The first round of grants is expected to open in the first half of 2026.

“Getting this policy in place is a major step toward putting critical resources directly into the hands of the organizations that make Vancouver such a creative community,” said Stacey Donovan, the City’s cultural services manager. “We’re excited to work side by side with local nonprofits and artists to bring forward projects that will connect, benefit and inspire residents across the community.”

Other jurisdictions in the state using the Washington Cultural Access Program include Tacoma, Olympia, King County, and San Juan County. The program allows cities and counties to enact local sales and use tax up to 0.1% to fund local arts, heritage, culture and science programs. 

For more information about Vancouver’s Cultural Access Program and to join the program email list for updates, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/cultural-access.

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.