City of Spokane creating Office of Arts and Culture [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane is creating a brand-new Office of Arts and Culture.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and leadership from Spokane Arts agreed to a six-month contract extension starting January 1, 2025. During that time, both sides will determine which parts of the Spokane Arts portfolio will come into the City office.

Skyler Oberst, the executive director of Spokane Arts, will be named director of the Office of Arts and Culture once it is established.

“Arts and Culture are the lifeblood of our community, and this move gives us an opportunity to double down on our support for creatives in all sectors,” Brown said in a press release Tuesday afternoon. “By bringing the arts back into the city, we can identify new funding opportunities, …