Communicating about Doors Open

First, a few facts about Doors Open for easy reference:

1. In December 2023, the King County Executive and the King County Council championed the Doors Open legislation to increase funding to the County’s arts, heritage, science, and historic preservation non-profit organizations through a 0.1 percent sales tax.
2. The tax will generate roughly $700 million over seven years—a major public investment in the ongoing cultural vitality of our region.
3. Inspire Washington, a statewide cultural advocacy organization, made Doors Open possible through nearly 20 years of tireless advocacy for a cultural access program.
4. 4Culture proudly stewards this revenue source through six grant programs.
5. 4Culture now funds Science and Technology organizations providing science programming and experiences to the public, along with arts, heritage and historic preservation organizations.
6. In 2030, the tax will be up for renewal by the King County Council.

For more information visit our Doors Open homepage.

Here are talking points to help you communicate to your stakeholders the impact and importance of Doors Open. Your stakeholders may be your Board of Directors, volunteers, donors, and others who support your mission-driven work.

• Our organization has received game-changing financial support through 4Culture’s Doors Open. Our grants have more than doubled!
• As the proud steward of Doors Open, 4Culture is creating new opportunities for the public to enjoy and access cultural experiences all over King County. Doors Open helps culture come to life.

Since the Doors Open legislation passed, the first year of grants has:

• Supported 700+ organizations producing cultural activities enjoyed by more than 11 million people!
• Provided more than 1,445,000 free tickets to arts, heritage, historic preservation and science activities in 2024.
• Built, bought and renovated more than 80 cultural facilities, 41% of which were outside of Seattle. 

In your own words, create a few talking points explaining why Doors Open is so important to your organization and how the funds have made an impact. You can talk about the grant you received and what it means for your organization.

Over the coming years, Doors Open will have a transformational impact on your organization as well as the entire King County cultural sector. Here are some ways you and your stakeholders can ensure Doors Open continues to be supported by local lawmakers.

• Develop a consistent practice of updating your communities on the impact of Doors Open on your organization.
• Encourage your stakeholders to tell others of its importance.

Think about ways you engage your King County Councilmember on the work you do. For example, invite them to one of your public events or a brainstorming session with your Board. If you’re not sure who your Councilmember is, you can look it up here. You’ll find their contact information on their individual pages at kingcounty.gov.

Banner Graphics

Use the banner graphic to promote that the 4Culture grants you receive are supported by Doors Open. Use of this graphic is not required, and it does not replace the 4Culture logo use requirements described in your grant contract.

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General Graphic

Use this general graphic to show Doors Open funding at work, it’s purpose is to provide an overview of what Doors Open supports.

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Let your social media communities know that you have received a 4Culture grant supported by Doors Open. Start by clicking on the badge graphic below to download to your computer or mobile device.  

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Next, upload the graphic to any social media platforms you use and add a caption. We’ve included some sample messaging here to get you started. We highly encourage you to tailor it to your organization and to add a description of how your organization will use these funds. 

 Sample language: 

• We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received a grant supported by Doors Open! This funding is designed to give King County residents easier access to cultural experiences, and we can’t wait to start putting these dollars to work. You’ll see it in programs like [your example].
• Did you know that here in King County, new Doors Open legislation is sending more than $100 million a year to cultural and science-based organizations like us? Our grant will help us expand some of your favorite programs and events, like [your example]. This program is administered by 4Culture—check them out!
• Big news: our building will be getting some much-deserved TLC, thanks to a grant supported by Doors Open! You’ll see these funds at work as we begin the next phase of this project, including [your example]. Read up on this critical funding source at 4culture.org/doors-open.

Finally, tag 4Culture so we can share your post with our followers.

Here are our handles:  
Instagram: @kc4culture  
Facebook: 4Culture  

The support for arts, culture, and science by the King County Executive and Council is invaluable. They appreciate knowing about the great things you are doing to serve the public in their districts made possible by Doors Open funding. Please let them know how Doors Open has impacted you and tag them on any Doors Open social media posts. A quick search of their name on your social media platforms will show you their handles for tagging them.