Yakima Arts Commission outlines Windows Alive budget, forms three subcommittees to pursue outreach and funding

The Yakima Arts Commission on Wednesday heard a detailed review of Windows Alive from longtime coordinator Jane Cooper and voted to form three working subcommittees to pursue funding, artist support and public outreach.

Windows Alive coordinator Jane Cooper told the commission the program began under the commission and has grown into a twice-yearly downtown window exhibition that she coordinates with property owners, artists and the city. “Windows Alive was born out of this commission,” Cooper said, describing a program that showcases six windows downtown, features roughly 20–26 artists over time and opens each spring and fall around First Friday events.

The commission’s decision to form subcommittees came after extended discussion of how to stretch a modest annual operating budget. Commissioners voted unanimously to create three subcommittees — finance, artists and outreach — to develop project proposals, pursue grants and sponsorships, and expand publicity and artist services. The motion was seconded and carried without opposition.

Why it matters: Windows Alive is a visible downtown arts program that the commission and staff say helps tourism, supports working artists and animates public space. Commissioners framed the subcommittees as a vehicle to align limited city funding with grant applications, underwriting and community partnerships so the program can expand without depleting the commission’s general fund.

Program details and costs: Cooper described the coordinator role, artist support and recurring expenses. “The artist stipend — each artist gets $250 for putting their work in there,” Cooper said. She told commissioners the program pays for a coordinator fee, stipends, a window cleaner (three cleanings per season), opening receptions (hosted in-kind at the Hilton Garden lobby), electricity and light bulbs, printed materials and small supplies. Cooper estimated the supplies and small operating items at “about 4,000” for a season and said in-kind contributions — provided by property owners and partners (labor, windows, power, promotion) — substantially lower the cash required.

Timing and administration: The City of Yakima issues the call to artists and staff member Callie (assistant to the city manager) compiles applications and runs the intake; a commission subcommittee reviews submissions and selects artists. Cooper said applications will be accepted in February, selections made in early March, installations in late March and openings on the first Friday in April (and again the first Friday in October for the fall run). Cooper and partners maintain the program website at windowsalive.com and produce postcards and news releases for publicity.

Areas the commission flagged for follow-up: commissioners proposed stronger outreach to younger and non‑English speaking artists (including outreach to Filipino and Sahaptin/Ishishkin-speaking communities), mapping cultural assets, a digital archive of commission activity, partnerships with the Larson Gallery, Museum and Yakima Symphony, and training or clinics for working artists (pricing, taxes, legal aid). Several commissioners suggested pursuing grant programs such as ArtsWA (Arts Washington), Bloomberg Philanthropies and other state and regional funding sources to underwrite expansion.

Formal action: The commission voted to establish three subcommittees (finance; artists/support; outreach/social media) and assigned members to each so subcommittees can begin meeting. Members were asked to self‑select and report back at the next full commission meeting; the chair said commissioners should have candidate lists finalized by the end of the month and be prepared to report progress in March.

Quotes from the meeting: Jane Cooper summarized the program’s local role: “It showcases our 365 days a year.” Chair Santiago Ituarte noted a recent City Council grant of authority for the commission on a related project: “The resolution passed — essentially, what that means is for the rest of the project, we don't have to go back to city council every time. We've been given the authority to select the art.”

What the commission asked staff to do next: Cooper was asked to send a short synopsis of technical constraints (electrical, access, staging) and top barriers to expansion so subcommittees can evaluate new window locations. Staff and commissioners agreed to circulate Cooper’s bullet points and the draft subcommittee rosters by email and to use subcommittees to prepare grantable proposals before the next budget cycle.

Ending: Commissioners described Windows Alive as a durable downtown asset and said the subcommittees should accelerate outreach, documentation and fundraising so the program can reach new neighborhoods and more artists without relying solely on the commission’s general fund.