City of Bellevue’s Council Priorities

Description

Council Priority #3: Explore options to expand arts funding through mechanisms such as the annual grant process, direct investment in the BelRed Arts District or others.

Period

Q4-25

Priority Status

On Track

Priority Status Legend

On Track | Completed | Delayed/On hold | Not Started

Priority Icon

Staff Contact

Lorie Hoffman: [email protected]

Progress Updates

Expanded Art Project Grant overall funding and increased individual award amounts from $1K–$3K to $3K–$7K.
Increased the number of “BelRed Bonus” grants from 3 to 13.

Look Ahead

In 2026, we will review funding amounts for the Eastside Arts Partnership grants and launch the second-ever round of the Arts and Cultural Facility Capital Grants.

Milestones

Expand available annual budget for Arts Grants through the 2025-2026 Budget Process.
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Monitor and respond to Budget process questions
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Propose new budget for arts grants, events, support staff, and investments in the BelRed Arts District
Council Priorities | Completed 6/28/24

Utilize new budget structure to expand the available budget for Arts Grants in 2025
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Launch of the new Arts and Culture Facility Grants
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Conduct outreach and engagement with eligible organizations
Council Priorities | Completed 9/30/24

Develop Program outline with Council Approval
Council Priorities | Completed 6/28/24

Free grant writing support to organizations for Bellevue Arts & Culture Facility Grants or 4Culture Doors Open Grants.
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Work with Arts Commission to recommend and Council to approval final grant awards
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/25

Update signage in BelRed to clearly identify the BelRed Arts District
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Design and permit new signage
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Identified city-owned signage on the Kelly Site (130th Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd) available for upgrade
Council Priorities | Completed 9/30/24

Install new placemaking signage
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Signed MOU to fund the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance for district activation
Council Priorities | Completed 7/8/25

Completed the final of the MOU document, utilizing ARPA funding.
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Route contract for signatures
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Disperse payments to the Arts District as deliverables are completed
Council Priorities | Completed 8/21/25

Expand Art Project Grant award amount in the 2026 application process
Council Priorities | Completed 1/15/26

Propose new project grant amounts to Arts Commission. Increasing to $3K, $5K, and $7K for individual projects.
Council Priorities | Completed 6/30/25

Open grant and offer workshops to potential applicants
Council Priorities | Completed 1/15/26

Arts Commission recommends awardees
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/25

Council approves awards
Council Priorities | Completed 1/15/26

Open the Second Round of Arts and Culture Facility Grants
Council Priorities | 1/2/26 - 12/31/26

Conduct outreach and engagement with eligible organizations
Council Priorities | Completed 1/15/26

Offer free grant writing support to any eligible organization for either City of Bellevue Arts & Culture Facility Grants, or 4Culture King County Doors Open Grants.
Council Priorities | Completed 9/30/24

Work with Arts Commission to recommend and Council to approval final grant awards
Council Priorities | Completed 1/15/26

Reasonable Accommodation

For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-6800(voice) or email [email protected]. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at [email protected].