Island Arts Council

Performing arts: wiac sponsors 2 performance-based programs. Meander dance collective offers space for adult dance artists to practice their art and perform for the public outdoors in dance concerts that are donation based, providing equal access to view dance art. Whidbey island music festival, a seasoned program on whidbey, brings together talented musicians and artists local and international for performances and discussions year-round in the sublime baroque and classical chamber music.

Visual arts: wiac sponsors 7 programs dedicated to supporting artists pursuits and engaging the public in creative experiences. Langley arts fund provides numerous public installations with wall art, sculpture, colorful art-wrapped utility boxes and improving public access to artwork displays. Soundspace on earth sanctuary is a new venture for a monumental visual art structure designed as an acoustically tuned chamber mound for experiencing the power of sound; the structure will offer acoustical learning, performance and recordings, meditation and singing space as well as sound healing, music therapy, and spiritual growth. Uprise gallery, launched in 2024, is a vibrant gallery space for young artists to learn, create, and display work. Whidbey art market is an evolving group of local fine artists, artisans and craftspeople coming together to share and sell their art with 3 public events in 2024 that attracted 1,500 visitors. Whidbey art trail is a year-round, self-guided tour of 20 working studios, galleries and sculpture parks across scenic whidbey and is supported by a printed map, brochure and easy-to-navigate website. Whidbey island sculpture experience, offers an immersive experience of art in nature with 70 local and international artists on 10 acres and welcomed nearly 200 visitors in 2024. Whidbey working artists' annual studio tour celebrated its 20th year. More than 60 artists welcomed visitors into their studios to explore a range of arts that included textiles, woodwork, painting, sculpture, and photography.

Other: island bohemians is an inclusive local arts community with 1,200 members established to support the creative professional across all forms of creativity visual, music, literature, theater, dance, design, fine craft, and culinary and botanical arts. Wiac gifts an artist grant fund each year for its adult members, providing funds to support creative projects. In 2024, five artists were each awarded 500. Wiac also provides emergency artist relief grants for those impacted by disasters and offers hardship relief grants. In 2024, wiac's membership reached 142 indivdual, family, and business members. This is an increase of 23% over 2023. Wiac administration is the backbone to these charitable arts organizations by providing infrastructure in the form of financial management, advertising and promotional campaigns, marketing and outreach and fosters artists and the arts community through a sophisticated calendar of events free to all arts organizations and programs on whidbey island to list their activities.