Arts Festival announces arts grants

The Anacortes Arts Festival announced 2014 “giving back” grants totaling $55,000, the largest annual giving amount in its 53-year history, with $31,000 going to Anacortes schools.. 

These grants are divided between programs and capital projects, with Anacortes school children being the largest benefactors. $31,000 was pledged for Anacortes School District art and music programming and equipment. Other community arts organizations were also large recipients. The breakdown includes:

  • $11,600 Art equipment for Anacortes School District student classroom use
  • $9,000 Anacortes School District cultural art series
  • $7,500 Museum of Northwest Art outreach programs
  • $6,000 Anacortes School District artist in residence program
  • $4,400 Musical instruments & supplies for ASD student classroom use
  • $5,000 Anchor Art Space workshops and community projects
  • $3,000 Skagit River Poetry Foundation Anacortes poet residencies
  • $3,000 Anacortes Community Theater floor replacement
  • $2,500 Anacortes Farmer’s Market music project
  • $2,000 Fidalgo Danceworks dance for autism
  • $1,000 Anacortes High School drama production


The Festival had an Art in Bloom evening event on April 5th that raised an estimated $15,000 and established a $7,800 scholarship, funding summer art camp for 60 Anacortes students.  This event, along with a Best of the Fest exhibition at the Depot are new Festival art ventures into spring tulip-time activities.   

The Festival Board is committed to sharing the organization's success with the community.  Their goal is to continue to support year round arts programming and expand the organization’s reach well beyond three days in August.