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Dear Cultural Advocates,
2022 has been a historic year for the cultural sector. This year, the Washington State legislature allocated over $77 million to support cultural programs, which is more funding than our sector has ever received! We could not have achieved this funding without our advocates and your dedication to supporting our asks is what made it happen. Thank you.
Reopening amidst the pandemic has been uneven across industries, and the cultural sector was hit the hardest. Our venues were the first the close and the last the open. We know recovery for the cultural sector is not a quick fix--it will easily take another three to five years before organizations even start to see a glimmer of their 2019 budgets. That is why we must ride the momentum of our 2022 legislative wins and prepare for an even bigger ask in 2023.
We can't do this alone. We need your voice! The off-session time is the perfect opportunity to make meaningful connections with your lawmakers. By establishing these relationships during the quieter summer months, your lawmaker will have a greater understanding of the importance of your work and be far more likely to support you when drafting the budget in January.
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