The Tacoma Creates Advisory Board (TCAB) has approved contracts for the 2026-2027 funding cycle, totaling approximately $6.4 million, for 80 local non-profit organizations whose primary purpose is to advance or preserve arts, culture, heritage, and science.
This marks the start of the seventh year of funding through Tacoma Creates, which is the first cultural access program of its kind in Washington state. The funding sustains and expands Tacoma’s vital and vibrant cultural sector, which serves community members of all ages and provides hundreds of large and small events throughout the city.
“Tacoma’s artists are the soul of our city,” said Mayor Anders Ibsen. “I’m so proud to be a part of such a vibrant community and am grateful that we have such a successful program like Tacoma Creates to improve exposure and support for our artistic community.”
“Arts and culture are a core part of what makes Tacoma feel like Tacoma,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell. “I’m proud the Council has renewed its commitment to Tacoma Creates funding, especially knowing how strongly our community values this work. This investment strengthens the artists and organizations who bring vibrancy to our city, while also supporting local jobs, small businesses, and community life.”
“Tacoma Creates provides much-needed support for non-profit organizations delivering arts, culture, heritage, and science programming in our community,” said District 1 Council Member John Hines. “Supporting cultural organizations is important to the residents of District 1, and I can’t wait to see all the fun events the recipients of this funding have in store for us in the 2026-2027 program year.”
“Arts, culture, science, and heritage programming provide ongoing opportunities to bring our community together,” said District 3 Council Member Jamika Scott. “Cultural organizations have a unique ability to break through divides and move people toward shared understanding. The organizations funded by Tacoma Creates—from Hilltop Artists to Spaceworks to Second Cycle—are delivering invaluable programming, particularly to our young people. I believe that Tacoma Creates is a testament to our community’s dedication to a diverse cultural sector, and having the ability to support 80 cultural organizations with funding is an incredible achievement for our city.”
“The arts have the power to connect us,” said District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge. “The organizations supported by Tacoma Creates do this by celebrating the cultures, traditions, and experiences that make Tacoma unique. More than an investment, these awards are a reflection of our city’s continuing commitment to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging that makes our community thrive.”
The Tacoma Creates 2026-2027 funding cycle covers programming that occurs between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
The 80 organizations receiving 2026-2027 Tacoma Creates funding are:
- 6th Avenue Business District
- Alchemy Skateboarding
- Arts First
- Arts Impact
- Asia Pacific Cultural Center
- Barefoot Collective
- Buffalo Soldiers Museum
- Butoh Tacoma
- Capoeira Vida
- Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation
- Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma
- Communities for a Healthy Bay
- Cousin Collective
- Das Biest Performance Project
- elements of education
- Energize Tacoma
- Fablab Nonprofit
- Foss Waterway Seaport Maritime Museum
- Greentrike
- Guma’Imahe
- Hilltop Artists
- Hilltop Urban Gardens
- Historic Tacoma
- Job Carr Cabin Museum
- Khmer Language Arts and Culture Academy
- Kikaha O Ke Kai Outrigger Paddling Club
- LeMay – America’s Car Museum
- Lincoln International Business Association
- Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma
- Mi Centro
- Mo’ Motion Dance
- Momentum Musician LLC
- Museum of Glass
- New Tacoma Neighborhood Council
- Northwest Repertory Singers
- Northwest Sinfonietta
- Oasis Youth Center
- One Table Show
- Pacific Northwest Dance Foundation
- Puget Sound Revels
- Queer NW
- Rainbow Center
- Remakery
- Screaming Butterflies Theatre
- Second Cycle Community Cycle Center
- Southeast Asian Comedy Collective LLC (SEA Comedy)
- Spaceworks Tacoma
- Swan Creek Art Academy
- Symphony Tacoma
- Tacoma Art Museum
- Tacoma Arts Live
- Tacoma City Ballet
- Tacoma Community Boat Builders
- Tacoma Concert Band
- Tacoma Fun Parade
- Tacoma Historical Society
- Tacoma Light Trail
- Tacoma Little Theatre
- Tacoma Music Academy
- Tacoma Music Collaborative
- Tacoma Musical Playhouse
- Tacoma Opera
- Tacoma Photo Center
- Tacoma Puzzle Hunt
- Tacoma Refugee Choir
- Tacoma Sister Cities
- Tacoma Tree Foundation
- Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
- Tacoma Youth Theatre
- Tahoma Indian Center
- Ted Brown Music Outreach
- The Grand Cinema
- The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra
- The Night Media Foundation
- The Puget Sounds
- Toolbox Learning Laboratories
- Vision253
- WayOut Kids
- World Affairs Council of Tacoma
- Write253
About Tacoma Creates
Tacoma Creates is the City of Tacoma’s Cultural Access Program. This community-supported initiative increases access to arts, culture, heritage, and science experiences throughout Tacoma by expanding offerings and reducing barriers to participation, particularly for underserved youth. Tacoma Creates is a program of the Arts & Cultural Vitality Division of the City’s Community and Economic Development Department. For more information on Tacoma Creates, including an events calendar, please visit: tacomacreates.org.