WhAMA

Whidbey Arts Marketing Alliance (WhAMA)
The Whidbey Island Arts Experience
Create. Engage. Inspire.

Whidbey Arts Marketing Alliance is a partnership of organizations committed to promoting Whidbey Island arts and its artists' community off-island for the expansion of our market base. This is inclusive of the visual arts, music arts, performing arts, studios, events and galleries specializing in the work of Whidbey Island artists. Our goal is year-round development capable of sustaining income for our arts community members and increasing the profile of Whidbey as a cultural community that visitors can experience recreationally, with avenues for learning, teaching, and collecting with beautiful Whidbey Island as the backdrop. Our Alliance message is: Whidbey as an arts destination.

Our media specialist is Nan Devlin.
Nan has worked extensively on Whidbey Island. Whidbey Camano Tourism contracted Nan to do a Marketing analysis of the Arts Community. Nan used SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), which is the study and classification of people according to their attitudes, aspirations, and other psychological criteria, especially in market research to identify related to business competition. Since that time, she has worked with the Whidbey Art Trail and Whidbey Life Magazine. You can view her bio here.

In late 2018 and early 2019 Nan met with members of WhAMA to do a SWOT study for us. Based on the study she then began to work on our marketing plan:

Gathered information on current events/programs/activities for all, groups and individuals members
Explored desired additional events/programs/activities for members
Identified and defined needs of target markets, which are Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, others, and eventually the Pacific Northwest region plus demographic and psychographic profiles, which is the study and classification of people according to their attitudes, aspirations, and other psychological criteria, especially in market research.
Created a database of media and arts contacts in the region
Gathered current data: visitor profiles and available economic data
Determined communication method with tourism organizations
Engaged Whidbey arts organizations in communication (e-news, etc.)
Connected with complementary Whidbey organizations, such as wineries, distilleries, lodging, restaurants, galleries, etc., to explore cooperative activities
Researched grant opportunities for arts and economic development

In 2019 Nan has accomplished the following:

Developed a two-year marketing plan
Developed an island-wide Arts & Culture Calendar
Created the website Whidbey Island Arts & Culture Experience
Created the Whidbey Arts & Culture Facebook page, 746 followers as of September 23, 2019
Created Whidbey Art Trail 2019 brochure with a panel of information about Marketing Alliance.
Distributed Marketing Alliance press release to local media and publications
Distributed Art Trail press release to regional media and publications with information about Marketing Alliance
Distributed Arts Calendar story to regional media and publications
Distributed monthly Arts and Culture e-newsletters starting in July
Placed article on 10th Anniversary of Island Shakespeare Festival in Northwest Travel and Life
Writes updated arts content for Whidbey Camano Islands Tourism website
Worked with Sherrye Wyatt of Whidbey Camano Tourism to arrange Facebook Live interviews during Whidbey Working Artists Open Studio Tour in August
Presented marketing alliance story to the Whidbey Camano Tourism committee
For the holiday season Nan will create holiday push ads to bring shoppers to Whidbey Island.

To join WhAMA and benefit from our Arts and Cultural Events Calendar please read about our Partnership Levels
Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze
WIAC is a non profit 501-(C)(3) organization, all donations are tax deductible.

Platinum Partnership Arts Organizations, individuals and arts organizations can join at this level - $1000 per year (or $83 a month)

WIAC membership is included with newsletter event listing.
The listing on WhAMA's website Whidbey Island Arts & Culture Experience is in a larger font and includes the organization’s name, logo or photo, a live link to your website, contact information, and a 25-word blurb about your organization.
The ability to edit the content of your listing twice a year.
Your organization’s logo is placed on the embedded Arts & Culture Calendar with a link.
Arts and Cultural Calendar listings include the ability to add a photo or poster.
Support for calendar listings.
An annual report of the number of visitors to the website/calendar and publicity that was done in your behalf by WhAMA.

Gold Partnership Arts Organization, individuals and arts organizations can join at this level: $600 per year ($50 a month)

WIAC membership is included with newsletter event listing.
Listing on WhAMA's website Whidbey Island Arts & Culture Experience that includes your organization’s name, tag line, and a live link to your website.
The ability to edit the content of the listing twice a year.
A live link on the Arts & Culture Calendar.
Arts & Culture Calendar listings include the ability to add a photo or poster.
Support for calendar listings
An annual report of the number of visitors to the website/calendar and publicity that was done in your behalf by WhAMA.

Silver Arts Organization Partnership for Small Arts Organization: $360 per year ($30 a month)

WIAC membership is included with newsletter event listing.
Listing on WhAMA's website Whidbey Island Arts & Culture Experience includes your name, category of organization (music, fine art, etc), and a live link to your website.
Arts & Culture Calendar listings include the ability to add a photo or poster.
Support for calendar listings
An annual report of the number of visitors to the website/calendar and publicity that was done in your behalf by WhAMA.

Bronze Partnership for Individuals: $120 per year ($10 a month)

WIAC membership is included with newsletter event listing.
Listing on the Whidbey Island Arts & Culture Experience includes the individual's name, the type of art/artist, and a live link to your website.
Arts & Culture Calendar listings include the ability to add a photo or poster.
Support for calendar listings
An annual report of the number of visitors to the website/calendar and publicity that was done in your behalf by WhAMA.

Leadership Committee
Peggy Juve, Island Shakespeare Festival
Rob Schouten, Rob Schouten Gallery
Victory Schouten, Rob Schouten Gallery
Kay Parsons, Whidbey Island Arts Council
Janis Saunders, Penn Cove Gallery

Below is the pay button for partnerships. If you are currently a member in good standing with Whidbey Island Arts Council please click here to incorporate your WIAC membership discount.

After payment you'll be led to a basic form for your organization's information.