PRESS RELEASE - City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Committee and City Arts Commission Announce Grant Funding for 2025

LTAC and PTAC grant programs are seeking proposals for funding local projects.

The City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) and City of Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC) are inviting proposals for 2025 grant funding. Grants are available from LTAC for activities that serve both residents and visitors to Port Townsend and grants from PTAC may be used for arts and culture projects. 

LTAC Grants
Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee’s (LTAC’s) vision of sustainable tourism is to reinvest community resources to enhance the lives of both residents and visitors. 

Community organizations interested in LTAC grants can apply in one round this year. All applications should connect to the vision of City LTAC and must meet the requirements of RCW 67.28, regulating the use of Lodging Tax funds. Event organizers are also asked to demonstrate the success of bringing visitors to Port Townsend for overnight stays, with a focus on the shoulder seasons (October through May).  $50,000 is available in LTAC grants this year, with awards for projects, events, and marketing ranging between $1,000 - $10,000 depending on the number of applicants and eligible projects. The application deadline is Monday, March 3, and proposals will be considered at a regular meeting of LTAC scheduled for Tuesday, March 11. Guidelines, criteria, and an application portal are all available on the City’s website.  A recorded grant application webinar, including an overview of reporting requirements, will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 3:00 p.m.

PTAC Grants

The Arts Commission's mission as an appointed City Commission is to facilitate public arts programs that enhance the cultural life of community residents.

Port Townsend Arts Commission grants will be awarded in three rounds in 2025, with $27,000 available ($9,000 in each round) for artists and arts organizations. The Arts Commission encourages applicants from all backgrounds and practices to apply. PTAC-funded events are those that bring the arts to the public. This can include performances, exhibitions, talks, screenings, or arts education-related public projects. Each project must be publicly accessible and have at least one pay-what-you-wish event or free entry. First-time applicants are encouraged to apply.

Past PTAC grant recipient, Genevieve Barlow of Saltfire Theatre, said: “Early support from PTAC was the seed that made our successful production possible. Knowing we would be able to cover royalty costs gave us the confidence to choose a well-known play needing royalty fees. For a new fledgling organization, PTAC’s vote of confidence in our vision of expanding local community theatre opportunities was quite literally the wind beneath our wings.”

PTAC is dedicated to supporting artists and cultural events that have a significant connection to the city, and events that promote public awareness of and interest in our creative community. Interested applicants can join an informational webinar on Wednesday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m., and find the grant guidelines, applicant portal, and full schedule of application deadlines on the City’s website.

Both Advisory Committees are seeking new members! Visit the Boards & Commissions webpage to learn more and apply.

For more information on LTAC including RCW 67.28, grant criteria, and link to join the webinar, go to: https://cityofpt.us/bc/page/lodging-tax-advisory-committee. Questions about City Lodging Tax can be sent to LTAC@cityofpt.us.

For more information on PTAC including grant FAQs, the yearly PTAC funding cycle, and the grant application, go to the PTAC webpage: https://cityofpt.us/bc/page/arts-commission-0. Questions about the City Arts Commission can be sent to artscomm@cityofpt.us.