Mayor Harrell’s 2025-2026 Proposed Budget for ARTS

Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell is releasing the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget. In this budget, Mayor Harrell is continuing to make needed investments and take bold action to address the urgent needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities. Mayor Harrell's budget proposal remains focused on strengthening public safety, creating housing affordability, and supporting healthy, vibrant, and thriving communities, while also responding to a $251 million general fund deficit with a balanced budget. The general fund deficit and fiscal position meant difficult choices that were not required in recent past budget cycles. The proposed budget seeks to continue to deliver positive progress, in addition to optimizing use of limited dollars toward key priorities and driving efficiencies.

With the investments in this budget proposal, we can work together to advance our shared One Seattle vision and an agenda that will inspire the best in our city and keep us moving forward.

Supporting arts and culture is a high priority in Mayor Harrell's budget. For the Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), key highlights in the mayor's proposed budget include:

• Retaining full funding for ARTS' C.A.R.E. grant program in 2025 and 2026. This means that while King County's Doors Open program infuses new resources into the community, we can continue to support small and mid-size organizations that Doors Open funding won't reach.
• $2.5M in one-time funding to support Downtown Activation and in preparation for the FIFA World Cup, which includes
  • Neighborhood Arts, Culture, and Festival Activations
  • Visual Arts Installations at Benaroya Hall
  • Alleyway Activations and Art Installations
  • Union/King Street Station Plaza Art Installations and Activations
  • Community Engagement & Cultural Inclusion grants
• An additional $2M in 2025 and 2026 to provide financial support for linchpin Seattle arts and cultural institutions still struggling with post-pandemic recovery

The following is a summary of key changes impacting ARTS in the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget:

• The Executive has transmitted legislation to City Council to allow flexibility for the Admission Tax to support critical arts and culture related spending that may originate from City departments other than ARTS, while retaining the Admission Tax core purpose of supporting ARTS and the 100% dedication of Admission Tax revenues to arts and culture expenditures.

Over the next two months, the City Council will review the Mayor's 2025-2026 Proposed Budget. Public hearings are on October 16 and November 12. Final adoption of the budget is expected on Thursday, November 21. Read more about the Mayor's proposed budget here.