City council approves $12,500 for school program at Olympia AHA Museum 

The Olympia City Council approved $12,500 in funding to help develop a student visitation program and curriculum at Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance (Olympia AHA) Museum and Visitor Center.  

The funding will come from the city council's Goal Fund. The money will support additional staff hours needed to work with the Olympia School District (OSD) to create educational programming for local students. The program is targeted to launch in 2027.  

The funding will help Olympia AHA develop curriculum, coordinate with educators, design student programming, and prepare museum staff and resources to serve kindergarten through 12 grade students.  

Olympia AHA is working with Molly Wilmouth, OSD's Inspire Olympia liaison, to develop the program.  

Mayor Dontae Payne, who sponsored the referral, said “investing in local cultural education can strengthen the city’s broader goals around community connection, economic vitality, tourism, arts and culture, and civic participation.”  

According to a staff report, a locally focused curriculum would elevate diverse histories, including indigenous communities, historically marginalized groups, immigration and migration, arts, and Olympia’s evolving cultural identity.  

The city council's Goal Fund, which has an annual budget of $100,000, can be used to respond to emerging issues, opportunities and community needs.