Arts Funding
The Tacoma Arts Commission manages two funding programs designed to nurture our city’s creative ecosystem and provide opportunities for all residents and visitors to access and participate in the arts.
Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP)
The TAIP is a biennial program that was established in 1999 to encourage the contributions made by individual artists who reside in Tacoma. The goals of the program are to recognize creative expression of the artists in our community, financially assist artists in generating new work and growing their skills, and engage the broader community through free public components presented by the funded artists.
Brendan Allen
Curtis Ashby
Vaquero Azul
Tor Caspersen
Saign Charlestein
Sarah A. Chavez
Cennady Coleman
Alex Fazekas-Boone
Aaron Green
Mari Griffin
Erin Guinup
Julia Josephine
Jenny Liou
Jason Loan
Mel McCarthy
Stephanie Meredith
Yaya Mulvey Moir
Teresa Owens
Allison Preisinger
Adela Ramos Marché
Saiyare Refaei
TQ Spellman
Jessica Spring
Helen Thorsen
Kristin Tollefson
Information about TAIP Funding
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The application deadline for 2025-2026 TAIP funding has already passed. Applications for 2027-2028 TAIP funding will be available in November 2026.
In the meantime, you can download the 2025-2026 TAIP application guidelines (PDF) for complete funding information, including eligibility.
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- Funded 2023-24 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2021-22 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2019-20 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2017-18 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2015-16 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2013-14 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2011-12 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2009-10 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2007-08 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2005-06 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2003-04 TAIP Artists
- Funded 2001-02 TAIP Artists
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- Tacoma Arts Commission logo
- Invoice Template
- Final Report – Fundees can access the Final Report form through their account on Submittable.com. The form will be attached to fundee’s original TAIP funding application. If you need assistance accessing the Final Report form, please reach out to Naomi at nstrom-avila@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5191.
- Marketing Toolkit for Artists and Arts Organizations
Community Arts Projects
The Community Arts Projects funding program financially supports organizations and groups producing arts-focused community projects that are inclusive, accessible, and/or address equity issues.
ArtCity Collaborative
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Black Night Market LLC
Washington State Historical Society
Information about Community Arts Projects Funding
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The application deadline for 2025 Community Arts Projects funding has already passed. Applications for 2026 Community Arts Projects funding will be available in September 2025.
In the meantime, you can download the 2025 Community Arts Projects application guidelines (PDF) for complete funding information, including eligibility.
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- Funded 2024 Arts Projects
- Funded 2023 Arts Projects
- Funded 2022 Arts Projects
- Funded 2021 Arts Projects
- Funded 2020 Arts Projects
- Funded 2019 Arts Projects
- Funded 2018 Arts Projects
- Funded 2017 Arts Projects
- Funded 2016 Arts Projects
- Funded 2015 Arts Projects
- Funded 2014 Arts Projects
- Funded 2013 Arts Projects
- Funded 2012 Arts Projects
- Funded 2011 Arts Projects
- Funded 2010 Arts Projects
- Funded 2009 Arts Projects
- Funded 2008 Arts Projects
- Funded 2007 Arts Projects
- Funded 2006 Arts Projects
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- Tacoma Arts Commission logo
- Invoice Template
- Final Report – Fundees can access the Final Report form through their account on Submittable.com. The form will be attached to fundee’s original Community Arts Projects funding application. If you need assistance accessing the Final Report form, please reach out to Naomi at nstrom-avila@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5191.
- Marketing Toolkit for Artists and Arts Organizations
Other City of Tacoma Funding Programs
Below are some additional City of Tacoma funding and loan programs. While not necessarily arts and culture focused, these programs may be suitable for your particular needs. We have provided a very brief and generalized overview of eligibility and what this funding program supports but please check the website for each program for the most up-to-date information and to see if you are eligible for that particular program.
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Eligibility: Arts, culture, heritage, and science non-profit organizations or fiscally sponsored groups; neighborhood and business districts with a fiscal sponsor
Supports: Public programs, access, ongoing sustainability, youth programming
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Eligibility: Non-profits, fiscally sponsored groups, neighborhood and business districts
Supports: Infrastructure, traffic control, performers, marketing, or other related costs for public events and festivals
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Eligibility: Large or small scale free public events
Supports: Free or discounted in-kind services such as garbage, recycling, food waste bins, and/or portable toilets
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Eligibility: Non-profits, organized groups, neighborhood and business districts, public agencies and educational institutions
Supports: Projects that increase public awareness of and access to Tacoma’s history
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Eligibility: Individuals or organizations
Supports: Projects which educate, protect, and restore our surface water resources and the Puget Sound
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Eligibility: Organizations
Supports: Programs to improve livability, education, civic engagement, and equity. Specific areas of focus include homelessness, household stability, civic participation, domestic violence, youth development, senior services, mental health and substance use disorders
Find out more about Neighborhood and Community Services Funding.
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Eligibility: Neighborhood Business Districts
Supports: Covering costs of street closures and barricades needed for festivals/events put on by Neighborhood Business Districts
Neighborhood Business Districts apply for this funding directly with the Cross District Association.
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Eligibility: Small businesses in Tacoma
Supports: Low interest rate loans of $5,000 – $25,000 for a business to launch or expand in Tacoma. Can cover acquisition of commercial land or buildings, purchase of machinery or equipment, site or tenant improvements, working capital, soft costs. Specifically for businesses unable to access traditional financing and/or need to fill a financing gap.
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Eligibility: Small businesses in Tacoma
Supports: Low interest rate loans of $25,000 – $500,000 for a business to launch or expand in Tacoma. Can cover acquisition of commercial land or buildings, purchase of machinery or equipment, site or tenant improvements, working capital, and soft costs. Specifically for businesses unable to access traditional financing and/or need to fill a financing gap.
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Eligibility: Businesses in Tacoma
Supports: Loans of $100,000 – $5,000,000 for businesses in Tacoma. Can cover acquisition of commercial land and buildings, site or tenant improvements, purchase of machinery or equipment, debt restructuring, soft costs.