2019 Arts Anchor Fund and 2019-2020 TAIP Recipients Announced

10 Arts Organizations and 24 Artists Funded by Tacoma Arts Commission

Hilltop Artists team production students working at Museum of Glass.

The Tacoma Arts Commission has awarded $130,000 to 10 Tacoma-based arts organizations through its Arts Anchor Fund program, and $60,000 to 24 Tacoma artists through its Tacoma Artists Initiative Program. The Arts Anchor Fund program awards range in value from $10,000 to $16,000 each and the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program awards are $2,500 each.

“We are excited and honored to support furthering the arts in our community. From large organizations, to groups and individual artists, our city benefits from projects and events that encourage dialogue between one another, foster engagement and expand our understanding of one another.” – Heather Conklin, Tacoma Arts Commission Chair

Arts Anchor Fund Program Awards

The 2019 Arts Anchor Fund program award recipients are: The Grand Cinema, Hilltop Artists, Museum of Glass, Northwest Sinfonietta, Symphony Tacoma, Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Little Theatre, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma Opera, and Tacoma Youth Symphony Association.

In 2018, these organizations served 525,375, provided free admission to 136,816, and generated an estimated $14.5 million in collateral spending for the local economy.

The Tacoma Arts Commission established the Arts Anchor Fund program in 1995 to provide financial support to major local not-for-profit arts organizations that significantly improve the quality of life for Tacoma. These arts organizations serve Tacoma’s community through regularly scheduled performances, exhibits and events, and school and outreach programs.

Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s CampTMP Youth Honor Camp performers in a production of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Tacoma Artists Initiative Program Awards

‘Micro Spill’ by RYAN! Feddersen

The 2019-2020 Tacoma Artists Initiative Program funded artists are: Kristina Batiste, Dionne Bonner, Gabriel Brown, Sarah A. Chavez, Kim Davenport, Alice Di Certo, Kyle Dillehay, RYAN! Feddersen, Erin Guinup, Chad Hagedorn, Lucia Harrison, Fumiko Kimura, Nori Kimura, Lisa Kinoshita, Sasha LaPointe, Melinda Raebyne, Elizabeth Reeves, Brian Robinson, Jeanette Sanchez-Izenman, Jamika Scott, Kenya Shakoor, Sharon Styer, Wendy Wahman, and Anique Zimmer

Funded Tacoma Artists Initiative Program projects include: production and screening of short films and a virtual reality project; writing, recording, and performing of music; a theater production; writing and reading of a poetry chapbook, memoir, and zine with accompanying writing workshops; writing and illustrating books; a lending library of handmade pottery; a glass arts residency; and the creation and exhibition of visual art with accompanying workshops focused on photography, artist books, illustrations, paintings, recycled media, Sumi-e and haiku paintings, jewelry and terrariums, mixed-media, and collage.

Student electronic e-waste mandala workshop led by Gabriel Brown.

The Tacoma Artists Initiative Program was established in 1999 to assist artists with the generation of new work, and to share their talent with the public in a free and accessible format.

The Arts Anchor Fund program and Tacoma Artists Initiative Program are two of three funding programs administered by the Tacoma Arts Commission. For a complete listing of funding programs and information about the Tacoma Arts Commission, visit cityoftacoma.org/arts.

Newest episode of artTown has landed

The City of Tacoma’s Media and Communications Office – in partnership with the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality – has released a new episode of artTown, a cultural documentary-style TV initiative exploring Tacoma’s emergence as a major creative hub in the Pacific Northwest.

In this episode:

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at The Grand Cinema’s 253 Short Film Competition as one team writes, shoots, and edits a 253 second short film in 72 hours
• Visit the unique studio of jewelry designer Cheryl DeGroot
• Explore Floating Life Forms, a public art piece on the Thea Foss Esplanade created by Tacoma artist Ed Kroupa
• Hear what inspires the beat in Antonio Gomez’s music
• Learn how art is being used to engage community and energize public spaces in the Lincoln District Revitalization Project

Silong Chhun talks about his community engagement work in the Lincoln District.

Launched in 2013, the series has earned numerous awards and features diverse perspectives on a variety of creative disciplines. Offering a more holistic look at creativity in Tacoma, artTown stretches beyond what people might traditionally think of as “creative” – such as fine art, music or dance – to spotlight other creative areas of interest that have flourished in Tacoma like fashion, innovative education practices, architecture and more.

Online viewing:
Watch “artTown” anytime at cityoftacoma.org/artTown

YouTube:
Watch segments or the full episode anytime on the City of Tacoma’s YouTube Channel

Percussionist Antonio Gomez.

TV Tacoma air times:
Mondays at noon
Tuesdays at 1 a.m.
Wednesdays at 8 a.m.
Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 5 p.m.
Sundays at 5 a.m.

TV Tacoma is aired on both the Click! and Comcast Cable systems. On Click!, TV Tacoma can be seen on Channel 12 within Tacoma City limits and in Pierce County, with the exception of University Place, where TV Tacoma can be found on Channel 21. On Comcast, TV Tacoma can be seen on Channel 12 within Tacoma city limits and on Channel 21 in Pierce County. TV Tacoma is not on the Comcast system in University Place, but is accessible anywhere on the Internet at tvtacoma.com.

Click! ON Demand
Available for viewing anytime on Click! ON Demand’s TV Tacoma and TacomaArt & Culture menu listings

Where cinema and community meet

The Grand Cinema’s 72 Hour Film Competition viewing party. Photo by Dane Gregory Meyer.

What a fabulous city we live in!

I’ve realized this all along, except when it’s been raining for a month and a half. We live in a city with The Grand Cinema, a non-profit organization which fosters such community sharing as the ’72 Hour Film Competition’.

Last Friday night was the annual viewing party, a public event which gathered 26 film makers, their films, and an audience in excess of 400, to revel and celebrate at Urban Grace.

Each film making participant had to write, shoot, score and edit their short film in just 72 hours. And, they were required to include four specific elements including a count down, duct tape, and a particular line and product placement. The end results were 26 completely unique views into the psyche of our community.

What impressed me most was how non-stodgy it was, how non-big-city.  There were the impressive high-quality films with cinematography skill, lighting, and obvious acting experience but there were also the quirky home spun films. All were welcomed and strongly applauded. The Grand Cinema provided an inclusive environment for film makers to showcase their creativity and our community stepped up with enthusiasm.

I would strongly suggest noting your calendar for next year’s ‘72 Hour Film Competition’ and keeping your attention on what The Grand Cinema has coming up.

COMING UP

What: An Evening of Cinematic Music
Join The Grand Cinema and Tacoma Symphony Orchestra for a celebration of music and cinema. Narrated by NWPR’s Steve Reeder, the concert will feature the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra’s string nonet as well as local singer-songwriters performing iconic songs and scores from throughout film history.
Where: Urban Grace, 902 Market Street
When: Friday, June 20, 7:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Cost: $30
More information: www.grandcinema.com, (253) 572-6062

The Tacoma Arts Commission is proud to support both The Grand Cinema and Tacoma Symphony Orchestra through the Arts Anchor Fund.

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This review was written by Tacoma Arts Commission member Dane Meyer. Dane has been a professional photographer for over 25 years and owns Dane Gregory Meyer Photography. He has served on the Tacoma Arts Commission since 2009 in a desire to give back to the community and support the arts as an economic engine and core for Tacoma.

TGIF – TFF

It’s Friday and we’re really pleased about that. But, we’re even more excited about the Tacoma Film Festival (TFF), which starts next week.

TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
A production of Tacoma’s very own Grand Cinema, in collaboration with many community partners, The Tacoma Film Festival celebrates current independent film from around the globe with a special nod to filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest. Beyond just screening these independent films, many of the filmmakers attend the screenings. This year, the TFF brings us a whopping 123 films spanning all genres, subjects and styles including documentaries, feature length films, short films, and films produced right here in the Pacific Northwest.  10 of those 123 films were made by Tacoma filmmakers and almost 40 by Washington state filmmakers!

You’ll want to check out the Tacoma Film Festival website to help you navigate the large volume of films and plan your line-up.

What: Tacoma Film Festival
Where: Screenings and events take place at multiple locations including:
The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett
Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Avenue
Annie Wright School, 827 N. Tacoma Ave.
UW Tacoma’s Carwein Auditorium, 1900 Commerce St., Keystone Building, Room 102
Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock St.
University of Puget Sound Kilworth Memorial Chapel, 3410 N. 18th St.
Tacoma Community College Auditorium, 6501 S. 19th St., Building #2
When: October 3 – 10, 2013. Check website for complete list of screening times.
Cost: Go one day, go all days, see one film, or see them all – it’s up to you with these ticket options:
Single tickets: $10 general; $8 Grand Cinema members/military/seniors; $6 students/member seniors
Passes: $50 TFF weekend pass (Friday – Sunday films); $150 TFF VIP Festival Pass
All screenings at UW Tacoma are free!
Tickets and Information: www.tacomafilmfestival.com, 253.593.4474 

 

OPENING NIGHT GALA
Kick-off the 2013 TFF with a giant, indie film-loving, party on Thursday, October 3rd at Annie Wright Schools. Enjoy a great dinner provided by Maxwell’s Restaurant, a cash bar and the company of fellow movie-lovers and see a screening of the first film of TFF 2013 – the hysterical and timely comedy feature G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend).  G.B.F. screenwriter George Northy will be joining the evening’s festivities.

The Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. and the film starts at 7:30 p.m. Purchase a VIP ticket to receive the dinner and a movie – limited to the first 100. Cost: $25 for VIP gala & movie for Grand Cinema members; $30 for VIP gala and movie for non-members; $11 for movie only.

Tacoma Filmfest Poster Contest: And the Winner Is…

The official Tacoma Film Festival poster design for 2012 has been announced, and the winner is graphic artist Cameron Taylor of Hundred, WV. Each year, the Grand Cinema’s poster contest sets the tone and provides (a trailer of sorts?), for one of Tacoma’s fave cultural events. The 2012 Tacoma Film Festival opens Thursday, October 4, and runs through Thursday, October 11, with screenings at the Grand Cinema, Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, Blue Mouse Theater and the University of Washington-Tacoma.  The official Tacoma Film Festival program will be available on Thursday, Sept. 13.  For more information visit www.TacomaFilmFestival.com.

“It is never an easy task choosing from over 70 submissions of amazing graphic design work, but it has to be done each and every year for the Tacoma Film Festival,” said Philip Cowan, Grand Cinema Executive Director. “The poster contest is just as much a tradition as the festival itself. Entries were received from many local artists along with some worldwide entries this year (Jamaica, India and France). The talent selection was incredible.”

Beaver, deer and other friendly Pacific Northwest denizens are framed by totems under a twilight sky in Taylor’s nostalgic artwork – check it out around town, soon!

The Grand Cinema Oscar Party, Sunday, February 26

It’s George Clooney Night – oops, we mean the Oscars! – next Sunday, and the Grand Cinema is hosting Tacoma’s premier Academy Awards party at Theater on the Square (915 Broadway). Get set for a night of red carpet fun with doors opening at 4pm, and televised coverage starting at 5pm.

Take your seats for an evening of fun, Feb. 26.

Order your tickets now for a shot at a year’s worth of free tickets to the Grand for the individual with the most prescient Oscar ballot. The ticket price ($20/members; $25 general admission) includes a catered box dinner from Maxwell’s Restaurant with decadent dessert by Corina Bakery. Take this opportunity to dress up and step out at Theater on the Square; the winning costume will score $100 to Chopstix courtesy of the Weekly Volcano. Info: 253-593-4474 or GrandCinema.com.

The Grand Cinema Presents “25 New Faces,” August 19-25

It’s in the can! In August, the Grand Cinema will be honoring winners of Filmmaker Magazine‘s prestigious “25 New Faces of Independent Film” awards with a week-long film fest, the only one of its kind in the country.

“This event has the long-term potential to be the most important recurring film event Tacoma has ever had,” says Grand Cinema Executive Director, Philip Cowan. “Filmmaker Magazine has been doing their list since 1998, and it has always been interesting to see all of the talent they bring together for the list.” The publication touts its Top 25 issue as offering an overview of the current indie scene, and a scout for new talent. This year’s crop of films includes notable genre flicks and sci-fi works; many of the latter featuring mind-bending special effects and motion graphics created on a micro-budget. The magazine also explores how the upcoming generation of filmmakers is leveraging new media to create, promote and distribute their movies.

Alex Ross Perry and Carlen Altman star in "The Color Wheel." Altman will be present to talk about her award-winning screenplay for the movie, at the Grand Cinema!

From a curatorial viewpoint, “I saw this group of 25 and thought it was kind of a ‘festival in a box,'” a standout selection of work ready for screening, says Cowan (some of Filmmaker Magazine‘s past picks have gone on to nab Sundance Grand Prizes, and Oscars). “I thought that there must be some theater out there putting on a festival of the work, but contacted the magazine and found that was not the case….We are the only cinema doing it because, really, we are the only ones to take time out to make it happen.” The Grand has successfully organized other film fests, such as the annual Tacoma Film Festival. It will be their second year of showing “25 New Faces.”