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The County is seeking experienced individuals who can provide thoughtful input, which will play a crucial role in ensuring that the Cultural Access Program is receptive to the needs of San Juan County’s diverse cultural community.

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. September 3, 2025 - The San Juan County Parks, Recreation, and Fair Department is seeking volunteers from local nonprofit organizations whose field of focus is on culture, science, art, and history to participate in a feedback session on the materials for the County’s new Cultural Access Program. The session will take place in-person only on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, beginning at 9:00am at the Marie Boe Building located at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. The review period is not expected to go longer than 4pm with a lunch break.

The County is seeking experienced individuals who can provide thoughtful input, which will play a crucial role in ensuring that the Cultural Access Program is receptive to the needs of San Juan County’s diverse cultural community.

By engaging local organization members in the program-building process, San Juan County hopes to build a strong, inclusive foundation for cultural access that reflects the community’s unique identity and needs.
Interested volunteers are encouraged to contact Gabrielle Conway, Projects and Grants Coordinator, at [email protected] to sign up by September 16, 2025 or request more information. A maximum of 12 volunteers will be selected to review materials and provide feedback during this session. Prioritization will be given to various island representation amongst the disciplines.

About San Juan County’s Cultural Access Program:
In December 2024, the San Juan County Council passed an ordinance adopting a 1/10th of 1% sales tax to establish a Cultural Access Program, becoming the first rural county in Washington State to do so. The tax, which took effect April 1, 2025, is projected to raise approximately $800,000 annually to support access to cultural, historical, art, and scientific experiences for residents - particularly students and underserved communities.

Key goals of the Cultural Access Program include:
•Enhancing educational opportunities and outreach through cultural organizations
•Supporting equitable access to arts, science, and history programs
•Providing transportation support to schools for cultural activities
•Funding local nonprofits through two grant types: Comprehensive Organizational Support and Impact Grants

Contact: Gabrielle Conway, Projects and Grants Coordinator (Parks & Fair Dept.), [email protected], 360-370-7454

About San Juan County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair
San Juan County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair oversees public parks on all four ferry-served islands, manages camping, and hosts the San Juan County Fair. The department offices are located at 849 Argyle Avenue, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair, visit https://sanjuancountywa.gov/1949/Parks-Recreation-Fair.

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Read the Press Release on the County website