Mission
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts enriches lives by creating powerful shared experiences in the arts.
VISION
To bring Art to the heart of our community. To inspire, expand and deepen our shared humanity and sense of belonging.
CORE VALUES
Artistic Excellence
We believe great art can be life-changing. We constantly seek new ways to stay responsive to our artists and audience.
Community
The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is here as a community resource for all. We dedicate resources to protecting the arts in all their forms and with all organizations.
Jusice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI)
We are committed to access to programming for all. We are humbled by the anti-racism work taking place on Whidbey Island and we pledge continued training and resources to embed JEDI principles within our organization.
Fiscal Responsibility
Expert financial management produces long-term sustainability. Today WICA is financially strong and is putting into place the systems to remain strong.
Strategic Objectives
● Increase partnerships, outreach and community engagement
● Improve facilities to enhance WICA’s physical presence and utility for our community
● Tell our story
● Ensure long-term financial stability
● Embed justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization
WHO WE ARE
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is the culmination of a ten-year, grassroots effort to bring arts, education, and cultural events to our region. We opened our doors in May 1996.
Our volunteer Board of Directors is composed of professionals from a wide array of business sectors including: arts and entertainment, communications, healthcare, marketing, media, legal, science, and technology.
The WICA staff is made up of a passionate team of full- and part-time employees with expertise in nonprofit leadership, arts programming, stagecraft and technology, communications and marketing, and hospitality.
Each year, we provide 120 days of arts, educational, and cultural programming for 15,000 patrons who call Whidbey Island home and from around the world.
WHAT WE DO
We produce, present, and support artistic endeavors, educational initiatives, community conversations, and cultural events that celebrate and enrich the lives of people in our region.
Our typical seasons include art, dance, film, humanities, music, and theatre programming and events; DjangoFest NW, a five-day internationally acclaimed gypsy jazz festival; and Whidbey Island Film Festival, a celebration of classic film that includes lectures, a Shorts Fest competition, guest speakers, and special events.
250 volunteers contribute over 15,000 hours annually to support our work.
OUR IMPACT
As Island County’s largest arts organization and employer, we play a vital role in our region’s cultural and economic health and well-being.
In addition to providing over 120 days of arts, educational, and cultural programming for patrons, we provide access and opportunities for community members to engage more deeply in the arts and employ over 600 regional and international artists annually.
DjangoFest NW and Whidbey Island Film Festival add over $325,000 to the local economy by patrons eating at restaurants, shopping in stores, and booking accommodations during the festivals.
In a typical season, youth under 18 have free access to programs and events that we produce and our Family Series Student Matinees provide bespoke artist engagements and educational exchanges for our local school districts.
We helped found the Washington State Arts Commission’s Creative District Program designed to grow our community’s ‘creative economy’ and the co-author of Washington State’s “Theaters and Performing Arts Sector Reopening Plan.”
