Arts Programs
Arts & Cultural Vitality encourages the development of the local arts community through the production of a variety of public programs and resources for creatives that enhance and contribute to Tacoma’s local economy.
Tacoma Arts Month
artTown
AMOCAT Arts Awards
Spaceworks Tacoma
Tacoma Poet Laureate
The Tacoma Poet Laureate program showcases local artists who actively contribute to and advance Tacoma’s literary community in meaningful ways through readings, performances, workshops, presentations, publications and special projects.
Tacoma Poet Laureate Program
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The Tacoma Poet Laureate program was developed to showcase local artists who actively contribute to and advance Tacoma’s literary community in meaningful ways through readings, performances, workshops, presentations, publications, and special projects.
The program was founded in 2008 by Urban Grace Church and transitioned to the City of Tacoma’s Arts & Cultural Vitality Division in 2011.
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Christian Paige is an Emmy nominated spoken word poet, a professional speaker and educator who speaks at schools, conferences, and events across the United States. Paige has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people and loves to work with young people who are committed to doing good in the world. Paige is a first-generation college graduate, an Act Six Scholar and is passionate about community, anti-racism, equity, and empowerment. He has spent his entire career in and around education advocating for historically marginalized populations and working to create equitable environments where young people can thrive.
Paige’s work has appeared on national stages, on television, and in museum exhibits. Paige is one of the top youth speakers in the Pacific Northwest and is in demand nationally however, Paige believes there is no place like home. He was born and raised in Tacoma where he currently lives and creates. He believes that our voice is our most powerful tool and encourages others to use their voice to advocate, interrupt, empower, and teach. Christian often uses one sentence to summarize himself. He says, “I am just somebody, who wants community to work for everybody.”
Contact Christian Paige
If you are interested in working with Christian Paige or having him perform for your school, organization, or event, please contact Christian by email at speak@christianpaige.com, on the web at www.christianpaige.com, or on social media using the handle @cpaigespeaks on Facebook and Instagram.
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- Lydia K. Valentine (2021-2023)
- Abby E. Murray (2019-2021)
- Kellie Richardson (2017 – 2019)
- Thy Nguyễn (2015 – 2017)
- Lucas Smiraldo (2013 – 2015)
- Josie Emmons Turner (2011 – 2013)
- Tammy Robacker (2010 – 2011)
- Antonio Edwards, Jr. (2009 – 2010)
- William Kupinse (2008 – 2009)
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Every person has a story to tell. In this online audio anthology, community members from Tacoma and greater Pierce County reflected on the importance of a particular place in their own life, through poetry. The Laureate Listening Project was conceived and organized by 2013-2015 Tacoma Poet Laureate Lucas Smiraldo. The project was funded in part by a Spark Grant from The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation and by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission.
In 2023, the Laureate Listening Project was migrated to Tacoma Public Library’s archives.