A Place for Creative Inspiration and Artistic Expression

Over the past three decades, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) has grown from humble beginnings to a thriving arts hub—drawing to our stage creatives who inspire our community and supporters who encourage our mission. It takes a village to bring to Whidbey Island the professional arts experiences that put WICA on the map as a top-ranked, award-winning performing arts center in the Puget Sound. Year after year, WICA remains a beacon for the arts, culture, and community that our patrons have come to love and expect.

We rely on donations from our supporters, ticket revenue from performances, and grant funding from regional, state, and national organizations to make this all possible. But, as we’ve seen over the past few months, changes to the arts and cultural nonprofit landscape are hitting close to home. Just a few weeks ago, we received word that the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) would not be funding our application for 2026-2027 General Operating Support. To put this decision into perspective, this is the first time in more than 20 years that WICA did not receive the grant. Each year, ArtsWA receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). And each year, this funding has been a consistent part of the budget that supports WICA’s arts mission. This year, as the NEA sees changes to its own funding landscape, we were notified that only around 25% of these grant applications through ArtsWA were funded, with priority placed on smaller operating budgets in underserved constituencies. As a community arts organization, we recognize and appreciate the ArtsWA mission, and applaud their work to support organizations in greater need during these difficult times.

But, as we reevaluate what the future of the arts is on Whidbey Island, we know this has to be a community-driven approach. Our roots are in Langley, but our reach is to serve the entire island. Our future is in our name: Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. WICA began as an idea that grew through the sheer determination of our early founders. Where we are today was once the tennis and basketball courts for the South Whidbey School District. But we witnessed the vision take shape. Our Langley campus is a place for creative inspiration and artistic expression that extends throughout the island we call home. We see this through our theatre series, where local actors take to the stage and deliver thrilling performances. We enjoy our many conversation series events that put a new spin on the talk show format. And we witness this in the talent found within our team, whose creations transform any performance, from a new ballet to a classic like Fiddler on the Roof. Although we experienced an inspiring evening of generosity just last month with our record-breaking Art to Table Gala, the work to ensure the longevity of WICA’s mission is never finished. Not only is your support necessary for today, it is essential for the long-term sustainability of YOUR community arts center. Please consider sponsoring an event, donating to our scholarship fund, or becoming involved in our work, from volunteering with us to attending a show. We are dedicated to continuing to be a beacon on Whidbey and we need you now to support the future of the arts on our island.