Arts and culture organizations across Washington state are sharing $10 million in grants funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and administered by the Seattle-based nonprofit ArtsFund.
The distribution to 671 grantees, revealed Tuesday, comes six months after the “historic investment” was first announced. Grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000, with an average grant size of $14,909, and can be used for whatever need the recipients feel is necessary.
The Community Accelerator Grant program prioritized funding to communities that are underrepresented in other funding programs — specifically, in rural communities, and for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities, according to an ArtsFund news release. All eligible applicants received a grant.
“We are so proud to highlight the breadth and depth of Washington’s rich cultural landscape and celebrate the leadership and vision of the Paul G Allen Family Foundation in funding this program,” Michael Greer, ArtsFund CEO and president, said in a statement. “Our hope is that their philanthropy inspires others to continue to invest in this sector and see how possible it is to make an investment that is meaningful, equitable, and expeditious.”
The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation was founded in 1988 by the late Microsoft co-founder and his sister, Jody Allen.
Paul Allen founded the Seattle Art Fair, an exhibition staged at the Lumen Field Event Center, to showcase unique and innovative works. A frequent lender to the Seattle Art Museum, works from Allen’s collection were featured in a SAM exhibit in 2019.
A November sale of Allen’s private art collection shattered auction records, as Christie’s New York reeled in more than $1.5 billion for a variety of iconic works.
Founded in 1969, ArtsFund supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grant making.
