Main Menu

Thank you to our Headline Sponsor:

Free access provided by our King County Regional Sponsor:

About Cultural Futures:

Cultural Futures is a FREE funding, policy, and advocacy workshop for cultural businesses and supporters!

This spring, we invite you to join your local partners for Cultural Futures! Cultural Futures is Inspire Washington’s annual post-State Legislative Session tour when we visit communities to share what happened during the 2026 Legislative Session. It’s our job to alert you to new funding and policy opportunities.

Why is this work important?

The 2026 State Legislative Session was a challenging and busy one due to budget restrictions, a short time frame, and changes in the Federal government. It is important for cultural supporters to be aware of the decisions that state lawmakers made during the session and how those decisions will impact cultural work in the future. We anticipate many more future objectives to support cultural work, but without advocates and active engagement across the state, these large goals will be very challenging to achieve. If you have thought about getting involved in the past but haven’t yet participated, now is the time! With Inspire Washington, cultural advocacy is easy, fun, collaborative, and inspiring!

On the agenda:

  • We will provide the cultural sector with summary of 2026 state legislative session; including legislative wins and ongoing challenges, agency requests, state resources, changes to retail sales tax laws, and more.
  • Provide summary of federal appropriations and legislative issues.
  • New legislation and local funding opportunities. Promote Building for the Arts and Heritage Capital grant programs.
  • Share resources for voter education events.
  • Coach advocates on Cultural Access program.
  • Hold community conversations to understand current industry challenges, interests, and opportunities. Information we receive will shape our 2027 State Biennium Agenda.
  • More information about the Inspire WA coalition. Engage community in policy development and advocacy. Share information about how to engage your lawmakers and establish meaningful relationships with them.

Sponsorship

The Cultural Futures tour is a great way to spotlight your business and support cultural advocacy in your community! We have several levels of sponsorship avaialble that can fit any budget including those listed below. Download our Sponsorship packet to learn more! Questions? Email Jessi at jessi@inspirewashington.org

  • The Headliner Sponsor ($20,000) is a premier sponsor of the tour, ensuring maximum exposure throughout the entirety of the event. This sponsorship level will prominently position your brand as one of the main supporters of the tour, connecting you with audiences across the state.
  • The Presenter Sponsor ($10,000) is a key supporter of the tour, receiving premium visibility while still being closely associated with the overall success of the event. This level is ideal for businesses looking to enhance their brand recognition across Washington state.
  • The King County Sponsor ($5,000) is dedicated to the most populous county on the tour. With this sponsorship, your business will have a strong presence in Seattle and surrounding cities within King County. This is a fantastic way to build brand recognition in Washington’s most densely populated areas.
  • The Single City Sponsor ($1,000) is designed for businesses that want to make an impact in one, specific city. With this sponsorship, your brand will be the featured sponsor of Cultural Futures in your chosen city, offering hyper-local visibility and engagement.

In-Person Tour Schedule:

All our in-person events are held in public spaces with ADA accessibility and will include live captioning. 

LocationDate/TimeVenueRegistration Link
EverettMay 4 @ 11amSchack Art CenterClick here
BellinghamMay 4 @ 7pmAllied Arts of Whatcom CountyClick here
Friday HarborMay 5 @ 12:30pmSan Juan Island LibraryRescheduled
EastsoundMay 6 @ 10amOrcas Center for the ArtsRescheduled
Vashon IslandMay 11 @ 11amVashon Center for the ArtsClick here
SeattleMay 12 @ 4pmSeattle RepClick here
SuquamishMay 13 @ 11amSuquamish MuseumClick here
IssaquahMay 14 @ 11amIssaquah Depot MuseumClick here
KentMay 14 @ 4pmKent Commons Community CenterClick here
ShorelineMay 15 @ 11amShoreline City HallClick here
TacomaMay 27 @ 11amAsia Pacific Cultural CenterClick here
OlympiaMay 27 @ 7pmWashington Center for the Performing ArtsClick here
LongviewMay 28 @ 6:30pmMcClelland Arts CenterClick here
VancouverMay 29 @ 7pmthe ArtsCenteredClick here
EllensburgJune 1 @ 11am Gallery OneClick here
WenatcheeJune 2 @ 5pmWells HouseClick here
TwispJune 3 @ 11amTwisp WorksClick here
Walla WallaJune 9 @ 11amFort Walla Walla MuseumClick here
RichlandJune 10 @ 7pmThe Reach MuseumClick here
YakimaJune 11 @ 4pmYakima MuseumClick here
Port AngelesJune 15 @ 4pmField Arts & Events HallClick here
Port TownsendJune 16 @ 11amKey City TheatreClick here
CoupevilleJune 17 @ 11amCoupeville Recreation HallClick here
ChewelahJune 22 @ 6pmChewelah Radio StationClick here
PullmanJune 23 @ 7pmRegional Theatre of the PalouseClick here
SpokaneJune 24 @ 11amNorthwest Museum of Arts & CultureClick here

Virtual Tour Schedule:

Can’t make the in-person event ? Not quite ready for in-person events? Your comfort and safety are important to us. We’ve got you covered with our three virtual sessions! Click on the session to register. 

 

Virtual 1: May 18 @ 12pm

Virtual 2: May 18 @ 7pm

Virtual 3: May 19 @ 9am

Virtual 4: May 29 @ 9am: register here

Cultural Futures Resources
Scroll to Top