SPARK CREATIVITY. INSPIRE THE CITY.

ARTS ∙ CULTURE ∙ HERITAGE ∙ SCIENCE

Tacoma Creates Reauthorization

Tacoma Creates exists thanks to the support of Tacoma voters in 2018, and since then, Tacoma Creates funding has had a positive impact on arts, culture, heritage, and science programming in our community. Over the past 6 years, Tacoma Creates has provided over $30 million in funding to more than 100 local cultural organizations; these organizations have in turn produced more than 5,000 programs and events, reaching more than 4 million participants. Based on the State Cultural Access legislation that guides our local program, Tacoma Creates must be reauthorized every 7 years, which means that reauthorization is needed this year. Tacoma City Council is moving forward with the option to reauthorize Tacoma Creates through a vote of the full council. This is the schedule of public meetings where community members can learn more about City Councils’ proposal for the second 7 years of Tacoma Creates.

City Council Study Session: held Tuesday, July 29th. The documents related to the draft proposals and the video of the meeting are posted on the City’s website, here.

City Council Meeting: 1st reading of the Tacoma Creates Ordinances – tentatively scheduled for September 16, 5pm, at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street), Council Chambers on the 1st floor, or via Zoom  – details will be posted here.

City Council Meeting: 2nd reading of the Tacoma Creates Ordinances – tentatively late September or early October (Council Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 5pm, at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street), Council Chambers on the 1st floor, or via Zoom)   – details will be posted here.

There will be public comment periods at the regular City Council Meetings. For meeting details – including agendas, relevant documents, and Zoom links, please follow the links above to the City’s website. Materials are typically posted on the Thursday before the Tuesday meetings.

INTRODUCING THE 2025-26 TACOMA CREATES-FUNDED ORGANIZATION COHORT!

The Tacoma Creates Advisory Board (TCAB) has approved Tacoma Creates funding contracts for the 2025-26 funding cycle totaling approximately $6.4 million, which will go to 80 non-profit organizations whose primary purpose is to advance or preserve arts, culture, heritage, and/or science. The funding will support a range of public programming for all ages, youth education programs, and a commitment to equitable and inclusive access for people throughout Tacoma.

TACOMA CREATES ANNUAL REPORTs

Curious about the impact of this funding program? Visit our Reports page for data and stories about how cultural programming supports our community!

 Partnerships with Tacoma Public SchoolS students and teachers!

Tacoma Creates funds will cover round-trip bus costs for up to 200 school-day field trips, each school-year, for all Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) to attend Tacoma Creates-supported programming! This opportunity is open to classes serving all grade levels, pre-K-high school, at any Tacoma Public School, with a priority given to TPS Title 1 schools. Field trips eligible for this transportation support include any during-the-school-day cultural programming offered by currently funded organizations within the City of Tacoma.

Tacoma Creates is proud to be a partner on Beyond The Bell / Club B after-school programs, along with Tacoma Public Schools, Parks Tacoma, Greentrike, and other community partners, which provides after school classes at TPS elementary and middle school campuses.

Visit our Youth Education page for more information on these TPS partnerships.