About
In March of 2000, the City of Tacoma reinstated the Municipal Art Program that dedicates 1% of construction costs from public capital projects to the creation of public art.
The City of Tacoma's public art collection is diverse and pieces can be found incorporated into the fabric of our infrastructure in virtually every neighborhood in Tacoma. The collection tells our stories, provides interest in neighborhoods, creates identity, establishes community presence, and reflects the many talents of artists.
The benefits of public art are many. It can transform eyesores into amenities, enliven design, provide wayfinding, become a landmark, encourage community dialogues, and create spaces and places where people want to visit and stay.
Public art is a city's legacy that needs to be nurtured and cared for. Proper stewardship for the collection reflects that caring and commitment to quality.
Current Projects
Learn about the newest public art projects that are currently being created in Tacoma. Projects include artwork for the City of Tacoma's Municipal Art Collection as well as artwork we are managing for partner agencies.
Learn more about current public art projects
Public Art Tour
Take a virtual tour of some of the public art pieces that can be discovered throughout Pierce County. Search by category, location, or artist to explore the diverse range of public art and map out a customized itinerary to experience the work in person.
Launch the online Public Art Tour
Traffic Box Wraps 
Launched in 2015, the Traffic Box Wrap project is designed to enhance the public realm by adding works of art by local artists to public infrastructure that is often targeted by vandalism. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. Twenty-one Tacoma artists were selected in 2015 through a competitive process to create artwork designs that have been reproduced as vinyl wraps and applied to traffic signal boxes throughout the city.
East 64th Street
Kristen Ramirez and Elisheba Johnson created East Tacoma Textiles, a permanent public artworks along East 64th Street, between Pacific Avenue and McKinley Avenue, to enliven this multi-modal transportation corridor running through this residential neighborhood.
East 40th Street
Write253 partnered with Roosevelt Elementary, the City of Tacoma Environmental Services, and the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality to present Invisible Sidewalk Poetry. Poems by students at Roosevelt were applied on the sidewalk at E. 40th St. in Tacoma, near the Pipeline Trail.
Prairie Line Trail
A mile-long park filled with art and history, the Prairie Line Trail was created by the City of Tacoma along the tracks of the retired Prairie Line. It links Tacoma's waterfront, downtown, University, and Brewery Districts. The trail draws visitors to our historic downtown, where curated art greets trail users.
Artwork at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center (GTCC)
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center features artwork by Stuart Keeler & Michael Machnic, Yuki Nakamura & Joseph Miller, Alex Schweder, Kenneth Callahan, Guy Anderson, Andy Warhol, and Michael Brophy.
Artwork at Tacoma Police Headquarters and Substations
This collection of public art includes three pieces by John Rogers as well as pieces by Chris Spadafore, Jennevieve Schlemmer, Justin Hahn, and Lavonne & George Hoivik.
Tacoma Murals Project
From 2010 - 2017, the Tacoma Murals Project joined artists and communities through the collaborative process of mural-making to create powerful artworks that transformed public spaces, neighborhood identities, and individual lives.
Gift Proposal Application
To propose the gifting of a piece of artwork to the City of Tacoma's Municipal Art Collection, fill out and submit the Gift Proposal Application form.
Ordinance and Policy