Sen Murray Holds Roundtable on King County Arts and Culture Economy

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), joined artists and officials from King County arts organizations to have a conversation about the funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that is helping artists and arts and cultural centers in King County stay afloat during the pandemic. Senator Murray was joined by Claire Miccio, Government and Community Relations Manager of 4Culture; Brian J. Carter, Executive Director of 4Culture; Monique Franklin, a local artist and poet; Dr. Quinton Morris, Executive Director of Key to Change; Monique Courcy, Executive Director of TeenTix; and Stephanie Morales, a local painter.

The American Rescue Plan helped small businesses and non-profits in the arts community keep their doors open by continuing PPP loans to keep staff employed, and $1 billion in relief specifically for live venues through the Save Our Stages Act, which made venues eligible for up to $10 million in federal support. Senator Murray fought hard to make sure that ARPA provided flexible funding for state and local governments so they could meet local needs, just as King County has done. King County received more than $430 million in the ARP, and $36 million in grants has funded local cultural organizations and art spaces, including $9.4 million that went to the group 4Culture to directly support cultural organizations and producers.