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.

Summer SOULstice

The public is invited to join Kellie Richardson, Tacoma’s 2017-2019 Poet Laureate, for Summer SOULstice, an event at the intersection of creativity, community and commerce.

“June 21^st marks summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year. SOULstice will hold space to celebrate this annual miracle by featuring emerging and established artists from marginalized communities. The work featured will carry themes of awakening and healing, personal connection to Earth and spirit, as well as the thread of human experience that connects us all. The weight of historical oppression, generational trauma has never diminished the indelible joy, creativity, innovation and pride of those on the margins. SOULstice underscores this victory.” – Kellie Richardson

What: Summer SOULstice
Where: Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Avenue
When: Thursday, June 21, 2018, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free! RSVP requested at bit.ly/SOULsticeRSVP

Featured performers will include:

• Thy Nguyễn – poet, artivist and former Tacoma Poet Laureate
• Olivia Thomas – vocalist and visual artist
• Hybrid – local funk and soul band featuring celebrated bassist Annie Jones-Barnes

Painter and muralist Tiffanny Hammonds will create a live painting during the performances. In addition, an exhibit space and artist market will feature work from local artists and entrepreneurs. Work will include every medium and price range. Artists currently scheduled to exhibit work are: Nori Kimura, Collin Veenstra, Darishma Alphonse, Nina Vichayapai, Andre Pace, Andrew Lui Robinson, Christina Butcher/Blue Cactus Press, Amanda Drewniak, Kemba Opio, Sojourner Duxbury, Amelia Foster, Apple Cox, MiYoung Margolis, Chardanae, Elizabeth Archer Klein, and Kellie Richardson.

Tacoma Art Museum’s teen council, F.O.A.M., will also host an all-ages printmaking workshop during the event. For more information and free tickets, visit bit.ly/SOULsticeRSVP.

Summer SOULstice is produced in partnership with Tacoma Art Museum, the Tacoma Arts Commission and the City of Tacoma’s Office of Equity and Human Rights.

Music and Art in Concert

From left to right: One of five paintings depicting the George Washington Bush party traveling to Oregon; painting by Jacob Lawrence. Image courtesy of Washington State Historical Society. Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance); painting by Amy Sherald. Frances and Burton Reifler © Amy Sherald. Treasure-trove by Kelly O’Dell and Raven Skyriver. Courtesy of the artist; photo by Kp Studios.

 

The ability for art and music to move its audience is powerful.  The combination of these two mediums in one setting will be an unprecedented collaboration that is not to be missed at Northwest Repertory Singer’s Celebrating the Arts in Tacoma.

What: Celebrating the Arts in Tacoma concert
Where: Mason United Methodist Church, 2710 N. Madison St., Tacoma
When: Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 7 at 3 pm. Pre-concert lectures start one hour prior to each performance.
Tickets: $15 – $18. Purchase tickets for May 6 here or for May 7 here.

Celebrating the Arts in Tacoma will be a unique musical experience. Presented in three segments, multimedia visual presentations will surround the choir.  Each section of music relates to an exhibit at three major Tacoma museums:

The Outwin 2016: American Portraiture Today

Through May 14, Tacoma Art Museum features a traveling exhibit of contemporary portraiture representing 43 artists from 20 states, including both emerging and internationally known artists.  As the choir sings about the gripping plea for peace of “I Dream a World” by André Thomas or shares the supportive camaraderie of Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the strong human spirit and the stories behind these words will be strengthened by the triumphant images of art facing the audience.

Coming to Washington: George Washington Bush

This inspiring exhibit at the Washington State History Museum follows the first immigration path to the state of Washington.  This segment will focus on the importance of art and music within the hearts of the brave pioneers and the rich cultures which inhabit the state we call home. Coupled with Mack Wilberg’s “Wayfarin’ Stranger” and Marta Keen’s “Homeward Bound,” these soul-stirring images portray travels through a world of woe to the bright land of promise. 

Into the Deep

Water and sea creatures beckon in this Museum of Glass exhibit.  Fifty-five pieces by nationally and internationally known artists exquisitely express the beauty of marine life in the ocean.  As the mother seal sweetly sings to her pup in Eric Whitacre’s “Seal Lullaby” and Gwyneth Walker takes the audience on a mesmerizing journey through a triad of movements in “Three Days by the Sea,” the breathtaking images from this exhibit will deepen your appreciation and awe for the similar and beautiful parallels of marine water and glass. 

The Tacoma Arts Commission is proud to support Northwest Repertory Singers and this concert through our Arts Projects funding program.

2017-18 Arts Anchor Fund and TAIP Recipients Announced

Hilltop Artists Team Production student, Dawntae, marvering hot glass. Photo courtesy of Hilltop Artists

10 Arts Organizations and 18 Artists Funded by Tacoma Arts Commission

The Tacoma Arts Commission has awarded $255,000 to 10 Tacoma-based arts organizations through its Arts Anchor Fund program, and $45,000 to 18 Tacoma artists through its Tacoma Artists Initiative Program. The Arts Anchor Fund program awards range in value from $20,000 to $33,000 each, and the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program awards are $2,500 each. Funding for both programs is for the 2017-2018 biennium.

“Tacoma’s arts community is thriving,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Mike Sweney. “With these grants, we are honored to support our major arts institutions and independent artists in engaging, enlightening, and inspiring their communities as well as audiences from the Puget Sound and beyond.”

Arts Anchor Fund Program Awards

From Tacoma Opera’s production of The Magic Flute. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Opera.

The 2017-2018 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 2016, nine of these organizations served 506,909 people, provided free admission to 130,181 people, and generated an estimated $9.67 million 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 Artists Initiative Program Awards

The Red Chador: Threshold
public performance-installation by Anida Yoeu Ali. Photo courtesy of Anida Yoeu Ali.

The 2017-2018 Tacoma Artists Initiative Program funded artists are: Anida Yoeu Ali, Travis Barker, Priscilla Dobler, Daniel Garcia, Antonio Gomez, Mark Hoppmann, Maria Jost, Anne Lyman, Kevin Miller, Elise Richman, Mauricio Robalino, Jessica Spring, Nicholas Stokes, Kenji Stoll, Masahiro Sugano, Qin Tan, Collin Veenstra, and Ben Wildenhaus

Funded Tacoma Artists Initiative Program projects include: production and screening of a live action short film; production of two music albums paired with public performances and a workshop; writing a book-length poetry manuscript with an accompanying reading; writing and staged reading of a one-act play; music performances on a portable stage; an exploration of the intersection of music and culture, including a bilingual workshop; a multi-media performance of early music; three multimedia temporary public art installations; and the creation and exhibition of visual art including a series of handmade books, illustrations, paintings, mixed-media pieces, letterpress art, and poster art.

From DUELS, by Nick Stokes, directed by José Amador. Pictured: Daniel Christensen and Carter Rodriquez. Photo by Andrea Sassenrath.

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.

Now on view! Seventh episode of Tacoma’s ‘artTown’ TV show

30 Americans at Tacoma Art Museum

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.

Dancers Kate Monthy and Joel Myers perform

In this episode:

• Learn about the critically acclaimed exhibition 30 Americans, which made its West Coast debut at Tacoma Art Museum and showcases an influential group of prominent African American artists who have emerged as leading contributors to the contemporary art scene in the United States and beyond
• Explore how Symphony Tacoma brought Tan Dun’s groundbreaking and challenging Water Passion to life
• Visit the shared studio of printmaker Dorothy McCuistion and ceramicist John McCuistion and learn how they work together
• Catch Kate Monthy and Joel Myers as they discuss their dance careers and the dance scene in Tacoma
• Take a look at the inspiration behind the curious paintings and illustrations of Michaela Eaves
• Find inspiration and joy in the playful mobiles and found object sculptures of the late Randy Jones

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

Symphony Tacoma performs Water Passion by Tan Dun

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.

2015-16 Arts Anchor Fund and TAIP Recipients Announced

Nine Arts Organizations and 16 Artists Funded by Tacoma Arts Commission

RJ Oki and Trent Quoicho blowing at the Museum of Glass as part of a collaboration with Team Chihuly. Photo provided by Hilltop Artists.

The Tacoma Arts Commission has awarded $255,000 to nine Tacoma-based arts organizations through its Arts Anchor Fund program, and $40,000 to 16 Tacoma artists through its Tacoma Artists Initiative Program. The Arts Anchor Fund program awards range in value from $20,000 to $40,000 each, and the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program awards are $2,500 each. Funding for both programs is for the 2015-16 biennium.

“Supporting a diverse group of local artists and arts organizations helps build a creative community,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Traci Kelly. “Funding the arts at multiple levels means our city gives everyone opportunities for meaningful engagement and expression.”

Arts Anchor Fund Program Awards

Students from Tacoma Art Museum’s after school off-site outreach programs visit the museum to tour the galleries. Photo provided by Tacoma Art Museum.

The 2015-2016 Arts Anchor Fund program award recipients are: Hilltop Artists, Museum of Glass, Northwest Sinfonietta, Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and The Grand Cinema.

In 2014, these nine organizations served 500,654 people, provided free admission to 124,209 people, and generated an estimated $9.55 million for the local economy.

Flame-working demonstration as part of Museum of Glass’ Hot Shop Heroes: Healing with Fire program. Photo by Greg Owen.

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 Artists Initiative Program Awards

Author, Acrylic painting by Christopher Jordan for COLORED Series. Photo provided by Christopher Jordan.

The 2015-2016 Tacoma Artists Initiative Program funded artists are: Saign Charlestein, Jennifer Chushcoff, Matthew Coté, Kristin Giordano, Michael Haeflinger, Whitney Henry-Lester, Christopher Jordan, Jeremy Mangan, Janet Marcavage, Tim Norris, Chandler O’Leary, Isaac Olsen, Nichole Rathburn, Holly Senn, Emilie Shimkus and Gregory Youtz.

Catabomb, textile sculpture by Nichole Rathburn. Photo provided by Nichole Rathburn.

Funded Tacoma Artists Initiative Program projects include a spoken word album and poetry reading; a podcast series exploring varying perspectives on Tacoma; production of a series of short films showcasing poetry; performance and recording of instrumental and vocal songs; production of a book of poetry and photographs; and the creation and exhibition of two- and three-dimensional visual art including metal art, photography, mixed media, paintings, printmaking, illustrations, and textile and paper sculptures.

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.

Fall Haul, sketchbook drawing by Chandler O’Leary. Photo provided by Chandler O’Leary.

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.

Metal-Urge Free Community Festival this Sunday!

Tacoma Community College wows crowds with a molten iron pour.

Join us for a free, fun-filled afternoon of metal arts for the whole family.

Metal-Urge Free Community Festival
Sunday, October 19
12 – 3 pm
Tollefson Plaza, S. 17^th & Pacific Avenue, Tacoma
Free and open to the public

We’ll keep you entertained with:

• Live sword fighting reenactments and display of armor and artifacts by Knights of Veritas
• Scratch block activity and molten iron pour with Tacoma Community College’s sculpture department
• Blacksmithing demonstrations with Lisa Geertson and Travis Conn
• Textured metal charm activity with Tacoma Metal Arts Center
• Hands-on metal crafts with Tacoma Art Museum
• Steel music under the direction of Miho Takekawa
• Three Graces sculptures by Mary Coss, in the plaza pools
• Food trucks – Lumpia World and The Original House of Donuts!

 

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Metal-Urge is a city-wide celebration of metal arts that explores the many ways artists push this versatile and diverse medium. From October 1 – November 30, 31 venues will feature metal-themed exhibits, workshops, lectures, festivals, and more.

A list of all events and exhibits is available at TacomaMetalUrge.com, and brochures are available in coffee shops and cultural venues around town.

Besides the Metal-Urge Free Community Festival, two additional anchor programs are:

• “Protective Ornament: Contemporary Amulets to Armor”
  October 18, 2014 – February 1, 2015
  Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave.
  This exhibit showcases nearly 100 works—including helmets, brass knuckles, breastplates, aggressive or defensive jewelry, chain mail, amulets, talismans, and protective gear—designed to address issues of protection and empowerment in the face of everyday perils and social challenges. Ranging from protective hardware (physical fortification) and protective “software” (faith-based adornment), the array of contemporary works underlines the crucial safeguarding function of jewelry and other wearable ornaments. Organized by the National Ornamental Metal Museum Foundation, Inc. The exhibition was curated by Suzanne Ramljak, Editor of Metalsmith magazine.

• Seattle Metals Guild 19^th Annual Northwest Jewelry & Metals Symposium
  October 18, 9 am – 5:30 pm
  Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave.
  This metal arts symposium features lectures by Metalsmith magazine editor Suzanne Ramljak, historian Stephen Fliegel, Vivian Beer, artist Jennifer Trask, jeweler Todd Pownell, and metalsmith Myra Mimlitsch-Gray. For more information or to register visit seattlemetalsguild.org/programs/symposium.

Metal-Urge is organized by the Tacoma Arts Commission and sponsored by Click! Cable TV and The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.

 

Third episode of Tacoma’s own ‘artTown’ TV show now available

 

Guitarist-singer-songwriter Nolan Garrett and the legendary Jerry Miller.

The City of Tacoma’s Media and Communications Office – in partnership with its Community and Economic Development Department’s Arts Program – are proud to announce the launch of a new episode of “artTown,” a cultural documentary-style TV initiative exploring Tacoma’s emergence as a major creative hub in the Pacific Northwest.

This episode features:

• Viewpoints and musical riffs from emerging guitarist-singer-songwriter Nolan Garrett and the legendary Jerry Miller, one of Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest guitarists of all time
• A look at Tacoma’s hot metal arts scene with Amy Reeves of Tacoma Metal Arts Center, John Simpkins of Fort Nisqually, Ed Kroupa of Two Ravens Studio, and Saign Charlestein
• An exploration into letterpress arts with Jessica Spring of Springtide Press, sweet pea Flaherty of King’s Bookstore, and Margaret Bullock of Tacoma Art Museum
• A visit to the working studios of local artists Angela Rockett, Lynne Farren, Lynn Di Nino and Mauricio Robalino
• music composed by Isaac Solverson

Hot off the press at Springtide Press.

Launched in October 2013, the quarterly series 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 food, fashion, innovative education practices, architecture and more.

Those who want to immerse themselves more fully in Tacoma’s creative community are invited to participate in Tacoma Arts Month, which features hundreds of events held throughout the entire month of October.

Online viewing:

Watch “artTown” anytime at cityoftacoma.org/artTown.

Saign Charlestein at work in his metal arts studio.

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.

Future episodes will be produced in part based on some of the audience feedback culled via social media, email at maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org or phone at (253) 591-2054.