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Media contact:

Michael Wallenfels

Communications Manager

ArtsWA/The Washington State Arts Commission

PO Box 42675 Olympia, WA 98504

michael.wallenfels@arts.wa.gov

360-252-9831

The Barrel Racer, Ellensburg Rodeo 100^th Year Celebration. Photo credit: The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce

Washington Welcomes Ellensburg as

State’s Newest Certified Creative District

Central Washington city joins Moses Lake, Edmonds, and other Creative Districts statewide

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2022

OLYMPIA, WA – Following a unanimous vote by the ArtsWA Board of Commissioners on February 8, Ellensburg is now Washington’s newest Certified Creative District. It becomes the seventeenth city statewide to earn this coveted designation, which spotlights and supports Washington’s hubs of innovation and creativity.

Positioned near the center of Washington State, Ellensburg is home to over 19,000 residents. The new Creative District will reach from Ellensburg's historic downtown to the Central Washington University campus.

“This prestigious designation is a testament to our community’s vibrant arts scene and its potential to shape our future," said Ellensburg Mayor Rich Elliot. "We look forward to leveraging this certification to support our arts, enrich our cultural programs, and showcase Ellensburg’s creative spirit.”

“This is a significant step forward for our city and we are excited about the positive impact it will have on our local economy and quality of life.”

Ellensburg joins a diverse roster of Washington cities that extend from Anacortes to Kennewick. The Creative Districts program received the Innovation in Economic Development Award from the Washington Economic Development Association in 2019.

Ellensburg Music Festival (Jazz in the Valley), Laughing Horse Arts Foundation. Photo credit: Ellensburg Music Festival

“It is an incredible honor and opportunity to amplify the work of artists, enhance programs that support a life-long learning experience in the arts, and celebrate the people of Ellensburg through cultural events and festivals,” said Kelle Vandenberg, Arts & Economic Development Manager for the City of Ellensburg. “We are thrilled to be counted among amazing creative communities within our state and are eager to work with the ArtsWA team to continue to develop our creative economy.”

“A Certified Creative District designation is an incredible tool in Ellensburg’s toolbox to build a stronger, more resilient creative economy that will support future generations of creatives.”

ArtsWA sees Creative Districts as integral to the larger creative economy, which includes professions as far-ranging as software developers and tattoo artists. Together, these industries are one of the state’s most powerful economic engines—the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the creative sector generated over ten percent of Washington’s GDP in 2020.

“The creative economy is one of Washington’s largest economic sectors, and it continues to grow each year,” said Roth. “The Creative Districts program helps ensure that all regions of Washington State can participate in this sector and have access to the culture and prosperity it brings.”

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About ArtsWA

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission, a state government agency established in 1961. ArtsWA works to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. Programs include Art in Public Places, Arts in Education, Grants to Organizations, and other special projects. For more information, visit arts.wa.gov.

About Creative Districts

The award-winning Creative Districts program works to grow the creative sector by helping communities turn cultural activities into economic growth. In March 2019, ArtsWA received the Innovation in Economic Development Award from WEDA. The award is for programs that significantly improve a community’s ability to attract and keep investment. For more information, visit arts.wa.gov/creative-districts