Bellevue City Council 2024-2026 PrioritiesCouncil Priorities
Council Priority #1: Customer Service, Access and TransparencyCouncil Priority #2: Brand IdentityCouncil Priority #3: Arts FundingCouncil Priority #4: Affordable Housing Strategy UpdateCouncil Priority #5: City-Owned PropertyCouncil Priority #6: Accessory Dwelling Unit PermittingCouncil Priority #7: Old Bellevue PreservationCouncil Priority #8: EastrailCouncil Priority #9: Diversity Advantage Plan UpdateCouncil Priority #10: Community EngagementCouncil Priority #11: Human ServicesCouncil Priority #12: Homelessness Prevention and Support Programming
On Track
Council Priority #3: Arts Funding
Council Priorities

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

Q2-26

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

In Q2 2026 the Arts Team conducted outreach and gave support to the arts and culture community in the run up to the Arts & Cultural Faculty Grant deadline. The application window closed with 4 requests for cultural facility funding totaling $1.7M. 
 
Also in Q2, the City directly invested in the BelRed Arts District with two projects:  

  1. The City installed the largest Mural on the Eastside in Arts District: “Rent Free” was painted a retaining wall along Spring Blvd running parallel with the Light Rail tracks. This mural is over 10,000 square feet and used almost a full ton of paint. The mural was installed in May, ahead of heavy Light Rail ridership for the World Cup.  
  2. In preparation for World Cup activities the City contracted with placemaking partner organizations, including the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance, Bellevue Downtown Association, and Spring District Association. The City provided direct financial support to bring events, activities, and community engagement activities to our districts during this busy global event.

Look Ahead

In Q3 2026 a selection panel, and the Arts Commission will review the applications to the Arts & Cultural Facility Grants. Annual Project Grants and Eastside Arts Partnership Grants will also open for application, and staff have been able to raise the top award amounts for the 2027-2028 season, assuming current budgets levels. All three art grant programs will come to the Council for final review and approval in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027. 

Milestones

Completed
Expand available annual budget for Arts Grants through the 2025-2026 Budget Process.
Council Priorities
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Monitor and respond to Budget process questions
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Propose new budget for arts grants, events, support staff, and investments in the BelRed Arts District
Council Priorities
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Completed 6/28/24
Completed
Utilize new budget structure to expand the available budget for Arts Grants in 2025
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Launch of the new Arts and Culture Facility Grants
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Conduct outreach and engagement with eligible organizations
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Completed 9/30/24
Completed
Develop Program outline with Council Approval
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Completed 6/28/24
Completed
Free grant writing support to organizations for Bellevue Arts & Culture Facility Grants or 4Culture Doors Open Grants.
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Work with Arts Commission to recommend and Council to approval final grant awards
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Completed 12/31/25
Completed
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
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Completed 9/30/24
Completed
Update signage in BelRed to clearly identify the BelRed Arts District
Council Priorities
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Design and permit new signage
Council Priorities
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Identified city-owned signage on the Kelly Site (130th Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd) available for upgrade
Council Priorities
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Completed 9/30/24
Completed
Install new placemaking signage
Council Priorities
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Signed MOU to fund the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance for district activation
Council Priorities
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Completed 7/8/25
Completed
Completed the final of the MOU document, utilizing ARPA funding.
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Route contract for signatures
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Completed 12/31/24
Completed
Disperse payments to the Arts District as deliverables are completed
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Completed 8/21/25
Completed
Expand Art Project Grant award amount in the 2026 application process
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Completed 1/15/26
Completed
Propose new project grant amounts to Arts Commission. Increasing to $3K, $5K, and $7K for individual projects.
Council Priorities
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Completed 6/30/25
Completed
Open grant and offer workshops to potential applicants
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Completed 1/15/26
Completed
Arts Commission recommends awardees
Council Priorities
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Completed 12/31/25
Completed
Council approves awards
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Completed 1/15/26
On Track
Open the Second Round of Arts and Culture Facility Grants
Council Priorities
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4/1/26 - 12/31/26
On Track
Conduct outreach and engagement with eligible organizations
Council Priorities
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1/2/26 - 6/30/26
Not Started
Work with Arts Commission to recommend and Council to approval final grant awards
Council Priorities
 | 
1/2/26 - 12/31/26
On Track
Expand Eastside Arts Partnership award amount in the 2027-2028 application process.
Council Priorities
 | 
7/1/26 - 3/31/27
On Track
Expand Eastside Art Partnership grant amounts. Moving from a $10K top award for our signature sustained support grant to $15K.
Council Priorities
 | 
7/1/26 - 3/31/27
On Track
Open grant and offer workshops to potential applicants.
Council Priorities
 | 
7/1/26 - 3/31/27
Not Started
Arts Commission recommends awardees
Council Priorities
 | 
10/1/26 - 3/31/27
Not Started
Council approves awards
Council Priorities
 | 
10/1/26 - 3/31/27

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].