Inspire Olympia shares first full year of impact, announces 2026-28 granting cycle
In its first full year Inspire Olympia supported 874 public programs and events in Olympia, including field trips and other educational programs for public schools, according to the new Inspire Olympia 2024-25 Annual Report, and sixty-five percent of these activities were offered entirely for free. Arts, heritage, cultural, and science experiences funded wholly or in part by Olympia's Cultural Access Fund engaged 271,517 participants in this 12-month period.
Inspire Olympia 2026-28 Grant Cycle Dates
Jan. 5 - March 6, 2026 | Application open for Comprehensive Funding
Jan. 20 - Mar. 20, 2026 | Application open for Impact Funding
Welcome Blankets at City Hall
The Welcome Blanket Project is a national initiative that began in 2017. Conceived by artist Jayna Zweiman, it reimagines the concept of a border wall-replacing it with 2,000 miles of handmade blankets. Since its inception, more than 7,500 blankets have been made across the United States and around the world.
A local group was formed in Olympia this spring after founding member Aviva Furman saw a Welcome Blanket exhibition at LAX Airport. Traditionally, the blankets are displayed before being gifted to local immigrant organizations. Exhibits have been held in museums, cultural centers, and airports across the country, and now Olympia City Hall, along the second-floor corridor. The exhibition runs from November 25-December 30, 2025.
Please join us Wednesday, December 17, 3-5:30pm, Room 207, Olympia City Hall for a Knit-In and Roundtable Discussion with local immigration advocates from AGUA (Accompaniment Group for Unity and Action), LISO (Legal Immigration Services of Olympia) and the Thurston Rapid Response Network. Come at 3pm to start a yarn square, or 4pm for the roundtable. Both events are free to the public - please register in advance.
Holiday Studio Ceramics Sale - Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
Featuring community members from the Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation Ceramics program - students and faculty alike.
Come say hi and check out the variety of work from over 20 makers - something for everyone! We have a great table of work set up where the profits go toward our scholarship fund for students to take class.
We'll have cookies, coffee, and cider! Hope to see you there!
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Friday, December 12th 10am-6pm
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Saturday, December 13th 10am-4pm
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The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Room 206
Call for Sculpture - Percival Plinth Project
Applications are open for the City of Olympia's 2026 Percival Plinth Project. Deadline is Monday, January 5, 2026 by 10:45pm (PST).
Selected artists receive a $1,000 honorarium for the one-year loan of their work and are eligible for consideration for the Peoples' Prize purchase award of up to $10,000, where one sculpture is selected for purchase by public vote and added to the City's public art collection. Submitted work needs to be available from June 2025-June 2026.
NEW this year: Installation of artwork will take place on Friday, June 12, 2026. Plinths will be prepared with steel transition plate already in place, with an on-site welder making the connections once the artist has placed their sculpture. Artists can opt-out of the onsite welding and deliver their sculpture with the plate attached in advance if they choose to do so.
FINAL WEEK! City Seeks to Fill Vacancies on Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees
The City of Olympia is seeking community members interested in being appointed by the City Council to serve on City advisory committees. Advisory committees provide a way for residents to share opinions and perspectives, study issues, develop recommendations, and provide advice from the community perspective to the Olympia City Council.
The advisory committee application period is now open and runs until Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at 5 p.m. Membership terms generally run for three years, with appointments beginning on April 1 and ending March 31. Applications are being accepted for vacancies and upcoming vacancies on the following committees serving the City of Olympia:
The Arts Commission, The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, The Cultural Access Program Advisory Board, Design Review Board, Heritage Commission, Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), Planning Commission and Utility Advisory Committee.
Join us at Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation for some great classes!
To register or for more information, please click the link after each class, call 360-753-8380 or stop by to see us at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia.
Performing Arts & Dance
All About Guitar Chords, Dec 4
Discover Voice Overs!, Dec 9
Creative Contemporary Dance, Jan 5- Mar 9
Sensory Friendly Creative Dance, Jan 6- Mar 10
Yes, You Can Play the Ukulele!, Part 1, Jan 7-Feb 4
Basic West Coast swing, Jan 9- Feb 13
Country western two step, Jan 9-Feb 13
Uke Gone Wild!, Jan 10 - Feb 7
Uke Goes Motown, Jan 10- Feb 7
Visual Arts, & Crafts
Resolution Collage, Dec 13
Winter Solstice Mandala, Dec 18
The Art of Seeing: Beginning Drawing, Jan 6 - Feb 10
Pen, Brush & Ink Drawing, Jan 7-28
Life Drawing, Jan 7-21
Simple Book Making, Jan 8-29
Winter Scenes, Jan 10
Painting People and Faces, Jan 10- Feb 14
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Stories That Shaped Us
Celebrating 35 Years of the Heartsparkle Players Playback Theatre Ensemble
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Friday, January 9th, 6:30pm
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Traditions - 300 5th Ave SW (downtown Olympia)
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Food and Drink provided by the Soul Cafe
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Suggested Donation $10-20 (No one turned away)
TCMoFA Presents Patterns
Opening Reception December 10
The Thurston County Museum of Fine Arts (TCMoFA) is opening a new exhibit called Patterns. The show features 11 local artists all connected by patterns. Not only graphical patterns or patterns formed in nature will be explored, but also the patterns that are weaved into society and our very lives.
Featuring work by Diana Fairbanks, Maddie Johnson, Joelle Montez, Joey Moran, Max Nordile, ƛ́i•ʔakʷiduk čape•ʔi•, Fran Potasnik, Chris Rosso, Fern Tallos, Dr. Rick Tanaka, and Reid Urban.
This colorful, multidisciplinary art show opens with a reception at 6-10pm on Wednesday December 10, 2025 at 120 Olympia Ave NE, right next to the transit center. We invite you to come enjoy some light refreshments, check out the new exhibit, and visit with other artists and art lovers alike. This event is free and open to the public.
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TCMoFA, 120 Olympia Ave NE, right next to the transit center.
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Patterns exhibition December 10, 2025 - January 10, 2026. Currently the museum will be open the following hours with more to come. Check the schedule at TCMoFA.org or on our Instagram for updates:
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Wednesday, December 10, 6-10pm | Opening reception
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Friday, December 12, 7-10pm | "Curious Music" will be performed by Geological Creep, Max Nordile, Expulsar, and Translucent Envelope (pdx). All ages. $10 suggested donation for the touring artist.
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Saturday, December 13, from 12-4pm | Free open hours
Keys to Connection Winter Showcase
Bridging Generations Through Music
Experience the warmth of community and the power of music to unite and uplift at the Keys to Connection Winter Showcase, a heartwarming performance by talented Olympia High School musicians dedicated to building bridges between generations.
This youth-led project brings live music to senior living communities across Thurston County, fostering connection, joy, and shared creativity. The Winter Showcase features a delightful mix of classical, jazz, and familiar tunes performed by students who believe in the power of music to inspire compassion and bring people together.
Join us for an inspiring evening of music and community. Light refreshments and drinks will be served.
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Saturday, December 13, 4 pm - 5 pm
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Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Avenue SE, Olympia WA 98501
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Learn more
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Follow the project on Instagram: @keystoconnection
Olympia Musical Theatre upcoming concerts
Olympia Musical Theatre invites you to join us for an evening filled with music asking profound questions. Musical Director Troy Arnold Fisher has put together a memorably moving program for the OMT Singers that will lift your spirits and cheer your heart.
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Performance Sunday, December 14th at 7pm at Westminster Presbyterian (1925 Boulevard Rd) and,
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Performance Monday, December 15th at 7pm at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (201 8th Ave).
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There is no cost to attend, but donations are welcome. We'd love to see you there!
Vince Brown in December
Every Wednesday in December I'll be playing solo jazz guitar at Swing Wine Bar, 825 Columbia Street SW, in Olympia from 6 till 8 PM. I'll also be there with vocalist Jessica Blinn for a special dinner show on New Years Eve from 6 till 8 PM.
Vince Brown + 1 at The Eastside Club, 410 4th Avenue in Olympia, Thursday, December 18th with Portland bassist Pete Lampe. Show from 6:30 till 8:30. No cover.
On Friday, December 26th, I'll be at La Gitana of Olympia, 518 Capital Way South, with vocalist Jessica Blinn from 6 till 8 PM.
December 13th I'll accompany the Olympia Jazz Singers for a special holiday show at The McCleary Museum, 426 South 3rd Street in McCleary, from 3 till 5 PM.
Tuesday, December 23rd I'll join the Jessica Blinn Quartet for a holiday swing dance at OlyDance's Tuesday night swing Dance at The Eagles Ballroom, 805 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia.
Every Sunday in December from 11:30 AM to 1:30 I'll be playing jazz brunch at Nineveh Assyrian Restaurant, 113 Capital Way North in Olympia.
a sky with two moons poetry collection
Suzanne Simons poetry collection available for pre-order from Finishing Line Press
The collection is based on actual astronomical events and phenomena from the post-Apollo moon missions of the early 1970s to the present. Through metaphor, imagery and imagination, Simons draws on the tradition of science poetry to illuminate the beauty and mystery of the heavens and critical issues of our times. End notes provide context to the astronomy of the poems.
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The book will be out in the spring, but order before January 23 from the publisher for a discount
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Learn more
Olympia Poetry Network's December activities
Endless Sound Cellars & Olympia Poetry Network present: An Evening of Wine & Poetry
Free wine tastings - Bring-your-own food (available in the Market or elsewhere!) - Vote for your favorite poet: 8:30 pm (Winner receives a bottle of wine!)
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Friday, December 12th
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®Endless Sound Cellars Tasting Room (Inside the 222 Market D 222 Capitol, Downtown Olympia)
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All open Mic sign-ups start at 6:00 pm
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Open Mic begins 7:00 (5-minute time limit)
Savor: A New Youth Art Exhibition in Downtown Olympia
Now on view through March 2026
Olympia Artspace Alliance is proud to unveil Savor, a vibrant new window installation created by young artists from local schools. Displayed in the historic Goldberg Building, the exhibition invites our community to slow down, notice the small joys of the season, and truly savor the moments that connect us.
This year, teachers were invited to submit student artwork inspired by the theme SAVOR-the beauty, comfort, joy, and human connection we often overlook but deeply feel during winter. The result is a colorful, heartfelt collection that lights up downtown and brings warmth to our community.
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Join Us for the Opening Reception! December 12 at 5 pm | Goldberg Building (Capitol Way & Fourth Ave)
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Goldberg Building - Corner of Capitol Way & Fourth Avenue
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Come meet the artists, explore the installations up close, and celebrate the creativity of our local youth. We'd love to see you there!
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Learn more
Newsletter Roundup
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Last LAW for 2025 Starts on 12/15
Legal Advice Week in December starts on the 15th. Join this monthly opportunity for artists and arts organizations in WA State to get free advice on specific legal issues. Sign up today for a 30-minute consultation with an attorney.
WLA LAW is open to artists and arts organizations throughout Washington State. LAW Clinics address and support legal issues* related to an artistic discipline and can cover a wide range of areas, such as: Copyright, Trademark, Publicity Rights, Licensing, Fair Use, Business Formation, Contract Review.
*Legal issues involving patent, employment, criminal, tax, & family law are not apt for WLA LAW.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
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