Funding for Tacoma Artists – Apply Now!

2015-16 TAIP funding recipient Whitney Henry-Lester produced the Destiny and Grit podcast series. Letterpress promo piece printed by Springtide Press.

The City of Tacoma is now accepting Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP) funding applications from eligible Tacoma artists who wish to create new artwork in any discipline and present that work through a free public component. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on January 23, 2017.

 

“Tacoma’s arts and culture contribute significantly to why we choose to live here, and TAIP is a key investment in our creative community. TAIP supports innovative, talented artists by helping them fulfill specific goals, contributing to their artistic growth while engaging communities with free performances, exhibitions, and workshops.” – Mike Sweney, Tacoma Arts Commission Chair

2015-16 TAIP funding recipient Christopher Paul Jordan is curating and exhibiting work in an inter-media art exhibit, COLORED, of 20 Black artists and poets.

The Tacoma Arts Commission has allocated $40,000 for TAIP funding, and each selected artist will be awarded $2,500. Funding for TAIP is determined through a competitive application process. A panel comprised of Tacoma Arts Commission members, community members and past TAIP awardees will review applications and make funding recommendations. Those recommendations will go to the Tacoma Arts Commission for approval. All projects selected for TAIP funding must be completed by December 31, 2018.

Eligibility extends to artists who are residents of Tacoma, practicing artists who are dedicated to producing artwork on a regular basis, are at least 18 years of age, and not a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in an arts-related degree program. Artists who have received TAIP funding between 2013 and 2016 are not eligible to apply.

Please see the TAIP guidelines and application instructions for full details.

Applicants are encouraged to attend a free workshop which explains and addresses questions about the application and funding process on December 15, 2016, from 5:30-7 p.m., in the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 728 St. Helens, Room 16.

Apply by Nov 7 for 2017 Arts Projects funding

Language of Clay family art workshop with SPUN at Children’s Museum of Tacoma. Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Tacoma.

Will your organization or group be producing publicly accessible arts programming within Tacoma city limits in 2017? If so, you might want to take a look at our Arts Projects funding program. Arts Projects funding ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, and supports community projects that focus on the arts.

Applications are due by Monday, November 7, 11:59 pm!

Flutist Rona Yellow Robe (Chippewa Cree) plays flute and sings at the In the Spirit festival. Photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society.

Past funding has supported a variety of projects including, but not limited to, arts components of neighborhood festivals; arts workshops or demonstrations; dance, theater, and music performances; youth-focused arts programming; arts-focused cultural and historical events; visual art exhibits; and literary events. Funded events must take place between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2017.

Fort Nisqually visitors learning how to make a cyanotype photo print during Crafts of the Past. Photo courtesy of Fort Nisqually Foundation.

Eligibility extends to private non-profit agencies with a 501(c) designation; organized groups of community volunteers, such as a business district or neighborhood council with an advisory body, business license and organizational bank account; and educational institutions or for-profit businesses wishing to produce not-for-profit arts functions. Applicants are required to have offices within Tacoma or, if they have no office, a majority of the applicant’s activities must take place within Tacoma city limits. Other eligibility requirements apply. See guidelines for complete terms.

Funding for Arts Projects is determined through a competitive application process. Actual contract amounts will be based upon availability of funds and the review of each application as measured against evaluation criteria detailed in the guidelines.

READY TO APPLY?

Check out the Arts Projects guidelines and application instructions.