Art purchase program

AN ACT Relating to establishing the own your own art purchase 1
program; adding a new section to chapter 43.46 RCW; creating new 2
sections; and making an appropriation. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature makes the following 5
findings:6
(1) A program that provides affordable financing for the purchase 7
of original works of art by Washington state artists will stimulate 8
the arts, small businesses, Washington artists, the creative economy, 9
and encourage art ownership; 10
(2) The arts contribute significantly to the economic vitality 11
and cultural richness of Washington state; 12
(3) Access to original works of art enhance the quality of life 13
for individuals, artists, businesses, and communities; and14
(4) Tasmania's art purchase program provides the basis and guide 15
for Washington state's own your own art program. Since 2009, more 16
than 6,700 Tasmanian artworks worth a combined value of $22,000,000 17
have been purchased through the program. 18
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The purpose of the own your own art 19
purchase program is to provide interest-free loans to eligible 20
H-1017.1
HOUSE BILL 1841
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Wylie, Hill, and Doglio
Read first time 02/05/25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
p. 1 HB 1841
individuals for the purchase of original works of art by Washington 1
state artists from participating arts businesses. This will:2
(1) Support Washington state artists by facilitating the purchase 3
of their artwork and increasing their income and visibility;4
(2) Stimulate the arts economy by encouraging art buying, which 5
in turn supports participating art businesses including, but not 6
limited to, galleries and studios, and by contributing to the overall 7
economic health of the arts and creative economy sectors in the 8
state; 9
(3) Increase art ownership by making art more accessible through 10
interest-free loans which can encourage individuals to invest in 11
original artwork, enriching their homes and lives while supporting 12
the arts community; 13
(4) Promote arts and culture by making art more accessible to a 14
wider range of people which will increase appreciation for and 15
engagement with the arts within the state; and 16
(5) Create a win-win situation by connecting art buyers with 17
Washington state artists, fostering a thriving arts ecosystem, and 18
enriching the cultural landscape of the state. 19
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.46 20
RCW to read as follows: 21
(1) The own your own art purchase program is established within 22
the commission. The commission must administer the program and issue 23
loans as provided in this section. To administer the program and 24
issue loans, the commission may solicit gifts and grants under RCW 25
43.46.060 and expend money appropriated by the legislature for this 26
purpose. 27
(2) To be eligible for a loan under this section, an applicant 28
must: 29
(a) Be a resident of the United States; 30
(b) Be 18 years of age or older; 31
(c) Purchase artwork for personal use; 32
(d) Agree not to export the artwork while the loan is outstanding 33
without written consent from the commission; and 34
(e) Meet other eligibility criteria established by the commission 35
in rule. 36
(3) Eligible purchases include: 37
(a) Original works of art created by Washington state artists;38
p. 2 HB 1841
(b) Commissions of original works of art by Washington state 1
artists; and 2
(c) Original works of art created by Washington-based indigenous 3
artists. 4
(4) The own your own art purchase program must provide loans of 5
between $1,000 and $12,000 as provided in this section. Loans shall 6
be interest-free or low-interest. Loans shall be repaid in 12 equal 7
monthly installments. The commission must establish a process for 8
collecting loan payments, including through direct debit. A fee may 9
be charged for late or dishonored payments and additional terms and 10
conditions may be imposed as necessary to administer the program.11
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sum of $225,000, or as much thereof as 12
may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 13
2026, from the general fund to the Washington state arts commission 14
for the purposes of this act.15
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p. 3 HB 1841