All Access Whatcom Proposal

Support Access To The Arts!

Local arts, heritage, and science groups led by the Whatcom Arts Project need your help for a collaborative effort.

All Access Whatcom is a proposed publicly funded program that would expand community access to cultural programs throughout Whatcom County. Some of the things it can support include:

  • Increase public access and transportation to concerts, events, and museums
  • Expand and deliver educational activities and field trips for school students
  • Support science, heritage, arts organizations

Through this our community and economy would benefit as well.

We are looking for your support to move forward with our proposal to the county commission. Vancouver, Tacoma, Olympia, King County, and San Juan County have already adopted Cultural Access WA programs with overwhelming support. We want to do the same for Whatcom County.

Together, we can make this a reality. Please sign up now to show your support.

Together, we can make this a reality, as it has become in other Washington State locations, to ensure our non-profit organizations’ continued ability to bring and present cultural programs to our county.
 
Additional Program Details:

Project Mission:

To provide greater and equal opportunities for all to arts, heritage, and science throughout Whatcom County.

Project Overview:

All Access Whatcom is a proposed publicly funded program that could expand community access to cultural programs in STEM, heritage, and the arts through a 0.1% increased sales or equal amount through property tax. In Whatcom County, it is estimated that $6.3 million per year through sales tax could be raised for All Access with a little under 60% of funds coming from Bellingham residents ($3.7 million). This tax increase would provide funds to increase public access to cultural activities, expand cultural education activities for public school students, and provide sustainable funding for not-for-profit science, heritage, and arts organizations.

Project Objectives:

  • Opportunities for building cultural infrastructure for our underserved and rural communities. Outcome: Building positive community programs, connections and quality of life through enrichment and exposure.
  • Academic success and meaningful experiences for students both in and out of school. Outcome: Improved educational opportunities through field trips, hands on experiences and creative outlets
  • Driving economic growth on mainstreets due to event based programming. 

Outcome: Thriving communities and local businesses.

  • Increase accessibility: Improve elements such as access to technology, ADA accessibility, admissions fees, transportation issues, translations. Outcome: 

Opportunities for underserved communities to be able to participate.

  • Sustainable funding for quality enriching cultural nonprofit programs. Outcome: Improving the outreach and capacity for our high quality organizations.

Possible Fundable Opportunities:

  • New cultural experience and spaces in our rural towns and unincorporated areas.
  • Educational field trips to exhibits and live performances
  • Increase public transportation and reduced admission fees to festivals and community activities throughout the county.

Information about Cultural Access in Washington State:

About Cultural Access WA: https://inspirewashington.org/about-cultural-access

Counties and cities with Cultural Access Washington programs in place:

  • Vancouver, Tacoma, Olympia, King County, San Juan County

Whatcom County is one of six counties currently working to join this transformative program that will enhance the lives, organizations, and business in our community.

Join the Organizations and Individuals in Support of All Access Whatcom!


  • Bellingham Symphony Orchestra – Gail Ridenour, Executive Director
  • Allied Arts of Whatcom County – , Executive Director 
  • Pickford Film Center – Susie Purvis, Executive Director
  • Mount Baker Theatre – Relli Robino, Development Specialist
  • BAAY (Bellingham Arts Academy For Youth) – Juliette Machado, Executive Director
  • BAAY (Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth) – Anna Evans, Development Director 
  • Bellingham Seafeast – Kevin Coleman, Executive Director 
  • Make.Shift Art Space
  • CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival- Cheryl Crooks, Executive Director
  • Make Art. Make a Difference – Valerie Dalena
  • Make.Shift Art Space – Riley Currie, Board Secretary
  • Children of the Setting Sun – Natasha Frey, Setting Sun Institute Education Branch
  • Hillcrest Church – Mary Margaret Brotherton, Assoc. Director, Creative Arts & Worship
  • V.P. Board Member and Teaching Artist of Allied Arts and Artist/Teacher at Rachel’s Whimsical Art – Rachel Simpson
  • Allied Arts Board Member – Mary Vermillion
  • SPARK Museum Board Member  – Annette Bagley
  • Mikyn Sygitowicz
  • Barbara Ryan
  • Abby Whatley
  • John Purdie
  • Jadyn Covnot-Meyer
  • Brian Simpson
  • Kara Henry
  • Caitlin Ueda-Valente
  • Casey Kelly
  • Alison Schepper
  • Sondra Matara
  • Jessica Roseman
  • Stephanie Korn
  • Candace Desmond-lampkin
  • Amanda Ager
  • Bellinghm Theater Group – Steve Lyons
  • Mount Baker Theatre- Christina Feinberg
  • MJ Dizon
  • Kara Henry
  • Terersa Dalton
  • Kelly Hart
  • Jessyca Murphy