Summary
The Community Arts Projects funding program financially supports organizations and groups producing arts-focused community projects that are inclusive, accessible, and/or address equity issues. Projects must take place in Tacoma and can happen anytime between January 1 – December 31, 2025. This funding can be used for artistic presentations, activities, events, workshops, experiences, festivals, performances, or other projects that are accessible to the general public – either in-person and/or virtually. Admission may be charged for these projects, as long as the application demonstrates public benefit. The proposal may be for a one-time project, a number of projects that are closely related, or an annual or ongoing project. Collaborations between organizations and/or artists are encouraged but not required. Groups applying are not required to be a 501(c) non-profit nor are they required to use a fiscal sponsor.
In alignment with Tacoma City Council Resolution 40622, the Tacoma Arts Commission is committed to sustained and transformational anti‐racist work, including through the Community Arts Projects funding program. As stated by Mayor Victoria Woodards, "Dismantling more than 400 years of systemic racism will not happen overnight. This must be a sustained effort that invites the whole community to join us in radically reimagining our institutions and the services they provide."
The Tacoma Arts Commission is striving toward social justice. We are committed to supporting equitable opportunities to broaden artistic expression while encouraging inter-sectional communities through inclusive relationships and outreach. Arts and culture are uniquely positioned to touch every person and every part of Tacoma. We are committed to supporting the entirety of our community.
We invite applicants to consider how their proposed project can help build a more Compassionate Tacoma with projects that are equitable and inclusive, offer opportunities for connection and relationship building, and contribute to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of our community members.
All projects must follow state and local health regulations; applicants should be prepared to adjust projects, as needed, in response to the current public health situation at the time of production.
Funding Priorities
The Tacoma Arts Commission is committed to investing in communities most impacted by racial, social, and economic inequity. This includes emerging and grassroots groups directly serving their communities and collaborations between organizations. The intention of these funding priorities is to foster programming that addresses historic and structural inequities, as we work toward justice for all.
All applications will be reviewed, and funding decisions made, using the Evaluation Criteria. An applicant’s proposed project does not need to meet any of the Funding Priorities listed below to be considered for funding. But, as part of the funding allocation process, the panel will prioritize funding for applicants or projects that meet one or more of the following:
- Organizations who will use Community Arts Projects funding to fairly compensate artists and collaborators, especially BIPOC artists and collaborators, to create work that is central to the project.
- Organizations, projects, or strategies that primarily give voice to racial justice and/or social justice
- Organizations, projects, or strategies that primarily give voice to economically or socio-economically marginalized communities
- Organizations, projects, or strategies that primarily give voice to LGBTQIA+ communities
- Organizations, projects, or strategies that primarily give voice to people with disabilities
- Organizations whose primary intentions, practices, and mission are by, for, and about BIPOC communities
- Projects that will address emergent community needs
Virtual Application Workshop (optional)
A virtual application workshop will be held on October 9, 2024, 5:30 - 7 pm at https://bit.ly/25CAPworkshop. The workshop will explain and address questions about the application and funding program. First time applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop or watch the recording, which will be posted here.
Preliminary Application Feedback Deadline (optional)
October 18, 2024
Application Deadline
October 28, 2024, 11:59 PM
Funding Application Guidelines
Download the 2025 Community Arts Projects application guidelines (PDF) for complete funding information, including eligibility.
Download the 2025 budget sheet. You will need to fill out this budget sheet and attach it to your online application.
Download an example of a completed budget sheet to see how to fill it out.
About the Money
Applicants can apply for a set amount of either $9,000, $6,000, or $3,000 for their project. If the applicant applies for $9,000 or $6,000 of funding but is not selected for funding at the level requested, they have the option of being considered for funding at a lower level. There is no advantage to applying for one level of funding over another. Applicants are encouraged to apply for what they need to successfully complete their project, with the knowledge that funding at any level is not guaranteed.
Funding for Community Arts Projects is based on the availability of funds allocated by the City and is determined through a competitive application process. A panel of community members will review and score each application using the Evaluation Criteria detailed in these guidelines and will make funding recommendations to the Tacoma Arts Commission. The Tacoma Arts Commission will review the panel’s recommendations and make a final determination on which applicants to fund and at what level. Applicants may apply for funding every year, however funding from year to year is not guaranteed. The number of contracts awarded will be based on the availability of funds.
Organizations selected for funding will be required to sign a contract for services, which lays out the amount of funding the organization will receive and the public benefit that the organization will provide. The full amount of funding will not be paid up front. Funding will be broken into several payment phases spread out over the term of the funding contract – typically there is an initial payment after the contract is signed, a mid-project payment, and a final payment. Organizations will receive final payment after all services have been provided and a final report has been submitted. Organizations should be prepared to cover the costs of their project until that time, but the City will work with each awardee to stagger payment phases to lessen financial strain.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Community Arts Projects Funding online application form at www.tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit. The Application form will ask for the following items:
- Basic contact and project information including a brief (40 words or less) overview of your project and its intent
- Budget Page (Download the budget form, save to your computer, fill out, and attach to your electronic application. To see an example of a completed budget form, click here.)
- Narrative Responses (written, video, or audio responses to questions outlined in the 2025 Community Arts Projects application guidelines)
- Location Confirmation or Plan: Written permission (email or letter) from the property owner to indicate their willingness to host the proposed project. Or, a written explanation of the preferred location along with a clear plan to secure the necessary sites/partnerships should funding be awarded. A letter is not needed if applicant organization is hosting project virtually or at a location they own.
- Letter of Commitment: If you are collaborating with any organizations or individuals whose role is central to your project’s success, please provide written confirmation (letter or email) of their commitment to your project.
- Artistic Work Samples and descriptions
Questions?
For assistance, please contact Naomi Strom-Avila at (253) 591-5191 or nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org.