September 28, 2007
Contact: Jane Hubrig, public relations - (360) 676-6981 x320
New Museum Facility Receives $1 Million State Grant
The Whatcom Museum Society has received a $1 million grant award from the State of Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), through the capital program Building for the Arts (BFA), for the construction of the new Art Museum and Children’s Museum facility. The receipt of the BFA grant represents major progress in capital fundraising activities of the Campaign for the Arts, a private fund-raising effort in support of major projects for the Whatcom Museum and Mount Baker Theatre.
The BFA grant funding supports construction of a new Art Museum and Children’s Museum facility. This new facility represents , a $17 million expansion project as part of of the Whatcom Museum campus. Financing for the new museum facility is a cooperative endeavor of the Whatcom Museum, the Campaign for the Arts, the City of Bellingham and the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District.
The 2007-2009 Building for the Arts program awarded $12 million to 23 state projects, including the Whatcom Museum. Because of its role as a leading arts source for Washington state, the Museum was one of only five recipients to receive a top award of $1 million+ in this last statewide grant round. Another Bellingham arts organization, The Whatcom Film Association, also received funding from this program, giving the city two awards from this competitive grant.
Many projects funded by CTED Capital Programs are required to be certified to the LEED Silver standard. LEED (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design) is a certification program designed and operated by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. The new Art Museum and Children’s Museum facility is designed to meet LEED Silver standards.
Building for the Arts was created by the Legislature in 1991 (RCW 43.63A.750). The program has provided nearly $46 million for 133 arts-related projects throughout the state. The state’s investment in these local projects provides temporary construction jobs as well as permanent arts-related jobs and employment opportunities in businesses that support the new facilities.
Congressman Rick Larsen, Senator Harriet Spanel, Senator Dale Brandland, Representative Doug Ericksen, and Representative Kelli Linville provided legislative support for the new Museum facility project.
The Whatcom Museum Society is the non-profit support group of the Whatcom Museum of History & Art. The Whatcom Museum is located at 121 Prospect Street in downtown Bellingham. Regular hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information call (360) 676-6981 or visit www.whatcommuseum.org.
