The Tacoma City Council is currently seeking applicants to fill seven open positions on the Tacoma Arts Commission and one open position on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board:
Tacoma Arts Commission seats:
- Four At-Large Positions – Individuals representative of acknowledged accomplishment or working outside of professional practice in the arts, but who demonstrate a deep interest in and appreciation of cultural and artistic activities.
- Two Professional Positions – Individuals who have had professional experience or training related to the arts, originating from employment or study within the following disciplines: arts or art history, arts administration, architecture, art criticism, art education, curation, conservation, heritage arts, literature, music, new media, performing arts, public art, visual arts, or a related field.
- One Tacoma Public Education Representative – Individuals working in the Tacoma public education community.
Tacoma Creates Advisory Board seat:
- One Council District Position – Individuals who reside in Council District No. 5.
About the Tacoma Arts Commission (TAC):
The TAC is comprised of 15 volunteer members who are appointed by the Economic Development Committee and confirmed by the Tacoma City Council to serve three-year terms. Applicants must live within the City of Tacoma.
The TAC provides leadership in supporting and enhancing the arts for the benefit of the City and its residents. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to create policies to support the ongoing development of arts programs and projects in Tacoma. Its primary programs include the funding of artists and organizations to provide arts and cultural services for the community in Tacoma, Tacoma Arts Month, and oversight of public art as part of the Municipal Art Program. The Commission’s functions are outlined in sections 1.28A and 1.28B of the Tacoma Municipal Code.
The TAC is striving towards social justice. They are committed to supporting equitable opportunities to broaden artistic expression while encouraging intersectional communities through inclusive relationships and outreach. Arts and culture are uniquely positioned to touch every person and every part of Tacoma and the TAC is committed to supporting the entirety of the community.
Individuals appointed to sit on the TAC are subject to the Tacoma Municipal Code 1.28A
(Tacoma Arts Commission), 1.28B (Municipal Art Program), and 1.46 (Ethics Code). Therefore, commissioners and their immediate family members may not be eligible for programs or funding managed by the Tacoma Arts Commission.
TAC meetings are held from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held virtually on Zoom and in-person at the Tacoma Municipal Building, located at 747 Market Street, in Conference Room 248, on the second floor. Regular attendance at these monthly meetings is required. Beyond monthly meetings, commissioners are asked to sit on at least one subcommittee and one selection panel each year. Commissioners are also asked to periodically attend and evaluate programs produced by artists and organizations that the Commission funds and are expected to attend and assist with all major programs the Commission produces. A major commitment of the Commission is helping support Tacoma Arts Month, which happens each October.
Additional information on the Tacoma Arts Commission is available here.
About the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board (TCAB):
The TCAB volunteer position is filling an unexpired term, for Tacoma residents living in District No. 5, who have interest in and familiarity with public programming in arts, culture, heritage, and/or science, as well as interest in Tacoma Creates goals regarding equity, access, and programs that provide public benefit for residents across Tacoma.
The Advisory Board advises Tacoma Creates Administration on funding programs. Its purpose is to guide program development and approve funding recommendations for the benefit of all residents of Tacoma. The primary responsibility of TCAB is to ensure compliance to Tacoma Creates guidelines and accountability standards. TCAB’s functions are outlined in section 1.55 of the Tacoma Municipal Code.
Additional information on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board is available here.
About City of Tacoma Committees, Boards, and Commissions:
The City is committed to fostering an equitable and anti-racist organization and wants its committees, boards, and commissions to reflect Tacoma’s diverse community. For these vacancies, all individuals, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, seniors, youth, immigrants, and refugees are encouraged to apply.
Appointed applicants are required to complete Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act trainings provided by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, within 90 days of being appointed to a committee, board, or commission.
Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on October 13, 2025, at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication. Questions about the application process, requests for the application in an alternate format, or requests to submit additional documents may be directed to Elizabeth Wing in the City Clerk’s Office at servetacoma@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5178.