Arts Funding

Information about TAIP Funding

TAIP Application

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.

Past TAIP Funding Recipients

• Funded 2025-26 TAIP Artists
• 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

Support Materials for Funded Artist

• 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

Information about Community Arts Projects Funding

Community Arts Projects Application

About Community Arts Projects Funding

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. This funding is seed money to help support projects; we encourage applicants to consider multiple sources of funding and to scale their proposed projects to work within their available budget. Projects must take place in Tacoma and can happen anytime between January 1 – December 31, 2026. This funding can be used for artistic presentations, activities, events, workshops, experiences, festivals, performances, or other projects that are accessible to the general public. Admission may be charged for these projects, as long as the application demonstrates public benefit. The proposal may be for a one-time project, a number of projects that are closely related, or an annual or ongoing project. Collaborations between organizations and/or artists are encouraged but not required. Groups applying are not required to be a 501(c) non-profit nor are they required to use a fiscal sponsor. Only one application per producing organization or group will be accepted.

Proposed projects should be welcoming to all, inclusive, tolerant, and compassionate. Projects should align with the City’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and justice. The Tacoma Arts Commission is striving toward social justice. We are committed to supporting equitable opportunities to broaden artistic expression while encouraging inter-sectional communities through inclusive relationships and outreach. Arts and culture are uniquely positioned to touch every person and every part of Tacoma. We are committed to supporting the entirety of our community.

Funding availability is contingent on official approval of the budget by the City.

Dates to Note     

• Virtual Application Workshop (optional): A virtual application workshop was held on October 8. Applicants are encouraged to watch the recording of the application workshop, which explains and addresses questions about the application and funding process.
• Preliminary Application Feedback Deadline (optional): Friday, October 17, 2025
• Application Deadline: Monday, October 27, 2025, 11:59 pm
• Notification of Funding Decision: by Friday, December 12, 2025
• Contracting Process with Funded Organizations: December 2025 – January 2026
• Timeframe in Which Project Must be Completed: January 1 – December 31, 2026

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you answer ‘YES’ to one of these:

• Are you a 501(c) non-profit corporation, incorporated under the laws of Washington State and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (i.e. 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4))?
• Are you an organized group of people working together for a specific mission or purpose, with an organizational bank account? This can include a fiscally sponsored group. Submissions must come from an organized group, not an individual.
• Are you a for-profit business, with a Federal Tax ID number (EIN), looking to produce a community arts project that is non-profit in nature? This means that the project is for public benefit rather than for profit, may be separate from your regular business functions, and is typically free for the public.
• Are you an educational institution looking to produce a community arts project that is non-profit in nature?
• Are you a tribe or Native non-profit organization?

AND, if you answer ‘yes’ to one of the above, then you need to answer ‘YES’ to all of these questions:

• Are you producing an arts-focused community project?
• Do you have a Federal Tax ID number (EIN)? This funding is for organizations and groups, not individuals; a Social Security Number (SSN) cannot be used for this funding.
• Is your office/place of business located within Tacoma city limits? This is confirmed by the address registered with the IRS, and your City of Tacoma business license. Or, if you have no office/place of business, do a majority of your activities take place within Tacoma city limits? Staff will verify addresses against the official City limit map. Check this map to verify that your organization is located within Tacoma city limits.
• Will the funded project happen within Tacoma city limits and be open to everyone? Projects can be designed to engage a specific cultural or identity group but cannot be exclusive to any group. If you are creating a permanent or semi-permanent project, such as a mural or public art piece, the project must be located in an area that is easily viewable by the public, such as the exterior of a building, in the public Right of Way, etc.
• If you are applying under a fiscal sponsor 501(c) organization, is the producing group based in Tacoma? The fiscal sponsor can be located outside of Tacoma, but the producing group must be located in Tacoma.
• Is this the only Community Arts Projects funding application the producing organization or group is submitting?

About the Money

Applicants can apply for a set amount of either $4,000 or $6,000 for their project. If the applicant applies for $6,000 of funding but is not selected for funding at that level, they have the option of being considered for funding at the $4,000 level. There is no advantage to applying for one level of funding over the other. Applicants are encouraged to apply for what they need to successfully complete their project, with the knowledge that funding at any level is not guaranteed.

Funding for Community Arts Projects is based on the availability of funds allocated by the City and is determined through a competitive application process. The number of contracts awarded will be based on the availability of funds. Funding availability is contingent on official approval of the budget by the City.

How to Apply

Before applying, please read the full 2026 Community Arts Projects funding guidelines for complete information.

Applications must be submitted through the 2026 Community Arts Projects Funding online application form at tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit.

A virtual application workshop was held on October 8. Applicants are encouraged to watch the recording of the application workshop, which explains and addresses questions about the application and funding process.

Questions?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to email or call Naomi Strom-Avila at nstrom-avila@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5191 with questions about or assistance with any part of the application.

Past Community Arts Projects Funding Recipients

• 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

Support Materials for Funded Organizations

• 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

Tacoma Creates Funding

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

Find out more about Tacoma Creates funding.

Special Events Funding

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

Find out more about Special Events funding.

Green Events Program

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

Find out more about the Green Events program.

Heritage Project Grants

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

Find out more about Heritage Project Grants.

Make a Splash Funding

Eligibility: Individuals or organizations

Supports: Projects which educate, protect, and restore our surface water resources and the Puget Sound

Find out more about Make a Splash funding.

Neighborhood and Community Services Funding

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.

Barricade Relief Funds

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.

Micro-Loan Revolving Loan Fund

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.

Find out more about the Micro-Loan Revolving Loan Fund.

Small Business Revolving Loan Fund

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.

Find out more about the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund.

Grow America Fund

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.

Find out more about the Grow America Fund.