Tuesday, October 20, 2026
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts reported a clean audit, while it outlined plans for facility improvements and community programming in an update about operations.
Board Chair Tim Coley said the center’s audit for the period covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, showed the not-for-profit organization is in good shape. He made his remarks at an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 19.
“We were characterized as a healthy organization, with adequate liquidity and cash flow to meet obligations, with no debt at year-end and a positive operating cash flow,” Coley said.
As of June 30, 2025, the organization had about $2.5 million in unrestricted cash with positive operating cash flow.
To prepare for future expenses, Coley said the board designated funds for three priorities:
Coley said reserves would help the center manage economic uncertainty and plan for programming down the line.
Washington Center Executive Director Jill Barnes said the organization could face reduced lodging tax revenue because two hotels were offline for part of the year. The shortfall is projected to total about $100,000 across the current and following fiscal years.
Barnes reported 456 subscribing households, a 23 percent increase over the previous year. She added patrons are also buying more tickets than in prior years.
Almost 30 percent of ticket sales during the 2025-26 season were from people living outside Thurston County.
A survey of attendees from 50 miles or more away found that 86 percent said a center event was the primary purpose of their trip. Of those attendees, 63.2 percent stayed overnight, while 41.3 percent used paid accommodations.
The center also reported supporting local arts organizations, including Ballet Northwest and Olympia Symphony Orchestra. Reduced rental rates for community partners represented more than $365,000 in savings compared with commercial rates last season.
Barnes said those partners receive priority scheduling, as well as marketing and professional-development support.
Barnes noted recent improvements at the center, including repairs to the marquee lighting that cost more than $10,000. The center also purchased additional orchestra chairs, cello chairs and a conductor’s stand.
Carpeting and stair nosing on the grand staircase were alos replaced at a cost of roughly $30,000.
“We were not happy with the carpeting from the last renovation,” Barnes said. “Hopefully, that will fix any concerns folks had.”
Finance Committee Chair Clark Gilman, who also serves on the Olympia City Council, expressed appreciation for the improvements.
“We’ve been holding on with two hands going up the stairs because the carpet’s pattern made it difficult to tell where we were stepping. The new carpeting is super helpful.”
The center plans to spend $35,000 to $50,000 on green room upgrades this year, including replacing heavily damaged flooring.
Barnes said improving the space would help the center provide better hospitality for visiting artists and encourage them to return.
The center also recently adopted a new strategic plan focused on improving audience experiences, expanding artistic and educational programming, strengthening partnerships, and maintaining its staff and facilities.
The center’s recent initiatives included a Dolly Parton-themed event that drew 250 attendees and collected 330 books for local children.
Barnes said funding from Inspire Olympia helped the center expand access to student matinees by supporting staffing and student participation.
She said transportation costs remain a barrier for some schools, while grants have helped bring students to performances from outside of Olympia.
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