The City of Tacoma is now accepting Community Arts Projects funding applications from eligible Tacoma-based organizations and groups to support the production of publicly accessible arts programming across all artistic disciplines in 2027. Funding can be used for a variety of arts-focused projects, including, but not limited to, artistic presentations, activities, events, workshops, experiences, festivals, performances, or other projects that are accessible to the general public. Funded projects must take place in Tacoma and be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Applicants can apply for either $4,000 or $6,000 to support their project. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on October 26, 2026.
Eligibility extends to private non-profit corporations with a 501(c) designation, organized groups of people working together for a specific mission or purpose, for-profit businesses or educational institutions producing projects that are non-profit in nature, and tribes or Native non-profit organizations. Applicants are required to have offices or their place of business within Tacoma, or if they have no offices, a majority of their activities must take place within Tacoma city limits. The artistic or cultural components of the project must be created, performed, or made by humans.
Guidelines for eligibility terms and requirements are available here.
Funding for Community Arts Projects is determined through a competitive application process and is dependent on official approval of the City budget by the City Council. The number of projects funded will be based on the availability of funds and review of each application as measured against the evaluation criteria detailed in the guidelines. Funding will be prioritized for applicants or projects that meet one or more of the funding priorities listed in the guidelines, including a new priority in 2027 focused on applicants who are not currently funded through Tacoma Creates.
More details, including access to the online application form, are available at tacoma.gov/artsopps. Community members with questions about the application guidelines can also email nstrom-avila@tacoma.gov or call (253) 591-5191.
Applicants are encouraged to attend a free workshop, which explains and addresses questions about the application and funding process. The workshop will be held virtually on October 7, 2026, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at bit.ly/27CAPworkshop. This workshop will be recorded and posted at tacoma.gov/artsopps.