For nearly three decades, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) has been at the heart of the Whidbey Island community, bringing artists, performers, productions, and speakers to its campus in Langley, Washington. On May 16, the Center celebrates its 28th year on the island.
Work underway in the 1990s at the future site of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
“Art is our passion, our purpose, and above all else, our commitment to you,” says Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “We firmly believe in the power that strong storytelling has to create positive change, to enrich lives, and to encourage greater discussion and understanding. Our heart and soul are in our work, and we love sharing that with each and every one of you.”
Over the years, the Center’s programming has grown to include four heritage festivals—DjangoFest Northwest, the Whidbey Island Film Festival, Celtic Festival, and Bluegrass Festival—the Bridge Family Scholarship which is available to students in all three island school districts, and community partnerships that have addressed everything from the future of farming and sustainability to the role that the arts play in our educational institutions. For 28 years, the Center has adapted to changing needs, withstood economic challenges and a global health pandemic, and has emerged as a beacon of artistic light in the community.
As Island County’s largest arts organization, the Center employs 600 regional, national, and international artists annually and offers 15,000 patrons more than 120 days of arts, educational, and cultural programming each year. With support for local youth through educational outreach and expanded accessibility through pay-what-you-will initiatives, the Center is working to ensure that the arts are available to all.
In 2023, the Center was awarded the Theatre Puget Sound People's Choice Award for North Puget Sound, a recognition of the organization’s dedication to its mission in the community.
“The Center has had a rich history on this island for more than two decades, and it has served as a space to connect, engage in meaningful conversations, and really deepen our understanding of our shared humanity” says Peter Ehrlichman, Board President. “As we look ahead to the future, I'm excited to see how we can further our mission in the community, ensuring that the Center remains an integral part of Whidbey Island's identity.”
Embedded in the social fabric of the community, the Center has spent nearly three decades establishing itself as an arts organization bringing world-renowned experiences to Whidbey Island. Today, as the nonprofit looks ahead, the sky's the limit.
Grand opening of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, May 1996
The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts today