Ellensburg Creative District

  1. 1 People in a group at Art Confab 2023
  2. 2 A person rides a horse and turns around a barrel in the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena
  3. 3 People perform in a Theatre Arts production at CWU
  4. 4 Dogs race in the Dachshunds on Parade event
  5. 5 Ellensburg Dancing Witches hold brooms
  6. 6 A truck with people drives in the Ellensburg Pride Parade
  7. 7 People perform at Jazz in the Valley, photo credit, Ellensburg Music Festival
  8. 8 People perform at Jazz in the Valley, photo credit, Ellensburg Music Festival
  9. 9 A student in the CWU Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising program
  10. 10 People look at art at the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery
  11. 11 A person wearing a dress is singing
  12. 12 People dancing in the Ellensburg Creative District, photo credit, CWU
  13. 13 People perform at Día de los Muertos
  14. 14 Film Studies
  15. 15 People perform at Día de los Muertos
  16. 16 A person uses tools
  17. 17 People perform the Music Orpheus Opera
  18. 18 People perform in the orchestra
  19. 19 Students in a large crowd enjoy music at Wildfest
  20. 20 Ellensburg Postcard Mural, the letters have murals within them

Welcome to Ellensburg's Creative District!

Located in the center of the state, Ellensburg enjoys four distinct seasons, and 300 days of sunshine a year. Whether you are traveling from Seattle or the Tri-Cities it is a quick trip and just a mile off of I-90 at either Ellensburg exit.  Take the short trip and experience the most fun in Central Washington. Come explore the Ellensburg Creative District!

The Ellensburg Creative District Difference...

Ellensburg is a rural agriculture community that has a rich cultural history of ranching, farming, and a cowboy way of life that has always been balanced with a deep-rooted artistic nature and beautiful natural landscapes. Historically, there has always been a blend of cowboy poets and free-spirited artists, along with creative talents associated with the University. 

Our Creative District is as unique as Ellensburg. It includes the historic downtown, Unity Park and the vitality of Central Washington University’s main campus. Ellensburg's district is a collaborative hub of artists, innovators, and creative entrepreneurs and it is the only district in the state of Washington that joins both a historic downtown and a major university, Central Washington University, the Ellensburg Creative District welcomes you and makes you feel right at home.

Expanding the Economy Through the Growth of the Creative Industry

The Ellensburg Creative District is a vital component of growing a healthy creative industry that is an important driver of the regional economy. It will help increase tourism, build opportunities for artists, provide life-long arts education, create affordable maker and creator spaces, establish affordable housing opportunities for artists, and develop living-wage jobs in the creative sector.

The road to certification began in 2021 when several community and arts organizations collaborated and developed the Ellensburg Cultural Arts Strategic Plan. Those organizations are the City of Ellensburg, Central Washington University, the Ellensburg Arts Commission, Laughing Horse Arts Foundation, Gallery One, Valley Theatre Company, Ellensburg Music Festival, the Ellensburg School District, the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, the Ellensburg Downtown Association, and CenterFuse.

Ellensburg Cultural Arts Strategic Plan

By 2033, as a result of arts & culture, Ellensburg...

  • is a place where artist can live, work, and thrive.
  • is a hub for providing life-long arts education.
  • is an art-forward community bringing in new tourism and economic development.
  • has a dedicated affordable space for innovation and creation within our community.
  • is a nationally recognized destination to experience, create, and participate in every aspect of artistic and cultural expression. 
  • provides space where everyone has equitable access to different art experiences, opportunities, and leadership roles. 
  • has artist-led innovation in government, business, and placemaking. 
  • is a diverse and inclusive community. 

Ellensburg Creative District Activities:

Winterhop Brew Festival

Buskers in the ‘Burg

Ellensburg Night Market

Dachshunds on Parade

First Friday Art Walk

Historic Pub Crawl

Ellensburg Annual Rodeo and Parade

Hoe Down in the Downtown

Moments to Remember/Hometown Holidays

Ellensburg Music Festival

Bite of the ‘Burg

and so much more…For Ellensburg Creative District events go to My Ellensburg