ArtsFund announced Monday it has awarded nearly $2.6 million in grants to 59 local non-profit arts groups.

In Tacoma, five organizations received $154,300 in Charter Member grants: Broadway Center for the Performing Arts ($73,100); Northwest Sinfonietta ($9,410); Tacoma Art Museum ($47,745); Tacoma Opera ($5,045); and Tacoma Symphony Orchestra ($19,000). Two Tacoma organizations received $24,500 in Continuing Member and Member grants: Museum of Glass ($9,000); and Tacoma Musical Playhouse ($15,500). Finally, the Museum of Glass was awarded a $4,000 ArtsFund Plestcheeff Design & Decorative Arts grant.

The grants awarded this year represent an eight per cent increase over last year’s grant awards.

“We’re thrilled to have increased the total grants awarded by ArtsFund this year,” said ArtsFund President and CEO Mari Horita. “The strength of our arts and cultural sector is a key factor in the economic, civic and creative vibrancy of our region, and grant making is a significant way by which we can further the impact of arts in our community. Individual giving to ArtsFund has been steadily on the rise since 2011, and this year we’ve also seen a 14 per cent bump in workplace giving. The combination of these nearly 2,000 individual donors, added to our 180 corporate donors, is a key factor allowing us to expand our investment in the cultural community, and we are grateful to all who contribute.”

ArtsFund has distributed more than $68 million in grants since its inception in 1969. The organization aims to strengthen the community by supporting the arts through leadership, advocacy and grant making.

More information is available online here.