On Sept. 8, 2025, the Duvall Cultural Commission voted to add an item to begin the process of exploring a Washington Creative District for the city.
The item was added to the agenda by motion and approved by the commissioners present; the item will be listed as item H‑4 for future meetings. Staff told commissioners the certification process typically takes about 18 months and requires organized preapplication work by local arts groups and partners.
The discussion matters because a certified creative district can provide access to targeted arts grants, tourism promotion and partners for placemaking, though staff emphasized the funding is generally modest and the program requires substantial community buy‑in. “They require quite a bit of prework, to even kind of get into their line,” a staff member briefed the commission, handing commissioners a pre‑application checklist from ArtsWA and a community readiness workbook.
During public comment, Camille Hansen, president of the Duval Foundation for the Arts, urged the commission to partner with the foundation. “It boosts the economy, in downtown revitalization,” Hansen said, listing services the foundation could provide, including volunteer support, letters of support and strategic input for a three‑ to five‑year plan.
Commissioners and staff discussed practical next steps, including convening a broader working group of arts and civic organizations, reaching out to nearby cities that have pursued certification, and asking county representatives for advice. One commissioner asked whether the designation yields large capital funds; staff responded that the program provides grant and promotional opportunities and access to some ArtsWA funding streams but not large capital grants for projects such as theaters.
No formal commitment to apply was made at the Sept. 8 meeting. Staff agreed to gather more information, contact nearby municipalities that have created creative districts, and report back to the commission at a future meeting. The commission discussed holding a convening or workshop to test local interest before moving forward with an application.