City of Olympia, WA

06/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2025 14:53

06/16/2025 - ARCH Digest 6.16.25

ARCH Digest 6.16.25

Olympia approves additional $1.3M for access to arts, culture and sciences

At their June 3 meeting, the Olympia City Council approved $1.3 million for Inspire Olympia's annual Impact Funding grant contracts. A total of 56 arts, cultural, heritage and science organizations arts will receive grants of up to $30,000 to support programs for the public and Olympia public schools in the annual funding cycle that begins July 1, 2025.
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Celebrate Juneteenth this Saturday!

Juneteenth, which is short for "June Nineteenth", is significant because it is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery. This celebration has continued to be celebrated across the nation not just within the African American community, but by all Americans who value and recognize the importance of freedom and Black history, contributions, and accomplishments.

During the June 17 City Council Meeting, the Olympia City Council will read a Proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in in the City of Olympia, urging all residents to join in celebration of the significant moment in American history and its role in the heritage of our nation and city.

In celebration, the City is pleased to sponsor an upcoming Juneteenth Celebration Festival by the Women of Color in Leadership Movement and Media Island International.
  • Saturday, June 21
  • 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • The Rebecca Howard Park - 911 Adams Street SE, Olympia (behind the Olympia Timberland Library)
This joyful, family-friendly celebration will feature live cultural performances, interactive workshops, delicious food, local vendors, and more. Admission is free, and all are welcome! This will also be a great time to learn more about the exciting design work happening at the Rebecca Howard Park with our Parks Planning staff. Stop by our Oly Parks, Arts and Rec table! For more event information, visit the event website.

Watch & Learn

You're Invited to the Grand Opening of the Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum! Where Arts, History, and Cultures Come to Life The Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance (OlyAHA!) is proud to announce the grand opening of the Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum-the capital city's first-ever museum dedicated to celebrating the rich intersection of arts, culture, and history in Olympia. The Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum (Olympia AHA Museum) is a vibrant gathering space where art, cultures, and history converge to honor our past, celebrate our present, and inspire our future. Whether you're a local resident or first-time visitor, a student, or a neighbor of the Olympia AHA Museum, the Olympia AHA Museum invites you to experience the stories, art, and heritage that make this place extraordinary. Join us as we build something lasting, local, and entirely Olympia. The grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00am to 5:00pm at the museum's new location: 203 Columbia Street NW, Olympia, WA 98501. Learn more here. The museum will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Learn more Upcoming at the Washington Center I'm not a Comedian… I'm Lenny Bruce This beautifully staged theatrical production follows the life & struggles of the most groundbreaking comedian of all time, Lenny Bruce. This counter cultural hero held a mirror up to society, fighting his inner demons alongside his quest for freedom of speech and his right to tell the truth. Over 50 years after his death, Lenny's legacy lives on as he continues to inspire artists all over the world. Recommended for ages 18+. Sat, June 28 at 7:30 PM Upcoming Classes with Hummingbird Studio hummingbird studio is a free, inclusive & accessible art program for artists of all ages and abilities. We believe art belongs to everyone & is essential to a healthy, vibrant community. Art on the Farm with Hummingbird Studio Join hummingbird studio under the tent at the GRuB Farm to create surrounded by nature. Rain or shine! No cost to participate & materials are provided. All ages & abilities! Pre-register by e-mail: hummingbird@kokuaservices.org GRuB Farm - 2016 Elliot Ave NW, Olympia, WA Wednesdays: June 18, July 16, August 20 & September 24 Two sessions: 10:00-11:30 am & 12:30-2:00 pm Art in the Park with Hummingbird Studio Let's create in community! Join hummingbird studio under the pavilion at Tumwater Historical Park to make art & make friends. Materials are provided - no experience necessary. Registration is encouraged. Pre-register by e-mail: hummingbird@kokuaservices.org Tumwater Historical Park Fridays: June 20, June 27, July 11 Two sessions: 10:00-11:30 am & 12:30-2:00 pm Olympia Poetry Network in June Olympia Poetry Network June - featured poet Bethany Reid and open mic Bethany Reid's fourth full-length poetry book, The Pear Tree: Elegy for a Farm, won MoonPath Press's 2023 Sally Albiso Award. Her poetry has won numerous awards, including Calyx's Lois Cranston Memorial Prize, The MacGuffn's 22nd annual Poet Hunt Contest, and OPN's Jeanne Lohmann Prize. In the last few years she has also published short stories, essays, and poetry reviews. Back in the dark ages, she earned an MFA and a PhD from the University of Washington and she taught English, creative writing, and literature to college students for 30 years. She now facilitates a weekly writing workshop, teaches for the Creative Retirement Institute (CRI). and blogs about writing and life at https://http://www.bethanyareid.com. She and her husband live near their three grown daughters in Edmonds, Washington. Wednesday, June 18, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm, masks optional Reading live at Traditions, the Gathering Place, 5th & Water Street, downtown Olympia Open mic signup starts 5:30pm, all are welcome. TC Media Big News: You're Invited to Our Re-Opening Remember that TCMedia is having A BIG re-Grand Opening! Join us for the TCMedia Re-Opening event! Meet the new Co-Directors, Tamara Erazo and Martha Correa on Saturday, June 21 from 2-4PM. Come support, come learn, and stay for a performance by Theater Artists Olympia. Put this RSVPs in today. Whether you're a long-time supporter or curious about what's coming next, this is your chance to connect, ask questions, and celebrate a new chapter at TCMedia. We can't wait to see you there. Click the link to RSVP and/ or donate! https://givebutter.com/s8eURC Newsletter Roundup Harlequin Productions in June: We're All About RENT! Shop for Dads and Grads Downtown! Countdown to Our Season Announcement, 2025 Anacker Scholarship Winners, and More Coming to the Center! Meet Our 5 Inspiring Honorees: Celebrate Juneteenth at ASHHO Childhood's End Gallery Summer Reading List - Open Friday

Opportunity

4Culture Public Art Calls for Artists + June 2025
Each month we send out artist calls managed by 4Culture, as well as a selection of calls submitted to us by organizations around the world. Visit our website to see all open calls, grants, jobs, and other opportunities.
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Maritime Washington Photo Contest Now Open!
Enter your photo From the Shore or On the Water in the second annual Maritime Washington National Heritage Area photo contest! Entries are open now, so share your photo on our website by July 9 to highlight the stories, places, and people of our saltwater shores! Both winners will receive America the Beautiful National Park Passes and their choice of a Maritime Washington merch item.
What Can I Enter? Enter a photo of Maritime Washington From the Shore or On the Water! Your photo should be taken within the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area (within 1/4 mile of Washington's 3000+ miles of shoreline), and entries should include your name, a description of the location where the photo was taken, and the entry category.
What Can I Win? Prizes will be awarded for the top entries in two categories: On the Water and From the Shore. Both winners will receive America the Beautiful National Park Passes and their choice of a Maritime Washington merch item.
  • Learn more and enter your photo

Housekeeping

The ARCH Digest is a summary of Arts, Culture and History happenings in the greater Olympia area, submitted by the community. Please turn in ArCH Digest listings to ARCHDigest@ci.olympia.wa.us. Deadline Monday morning, 8 a.m. If you know of anyone who would like to receive the City of Olympia Arts & Culture news, which includes a weekly ArCH Digest, direct them here and have them mark the Arts & Culture box. Disclaimer: Information in the Arts Digest is not vetted through the City, nor is it endorsed by the City. The reader is solely responsible for checking background on any opportunity listed above.
Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
sjohnson@ci.olympia.wa.us
City of Olympia, WA published this content on June 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 16, 2025 at 20:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io