October 2017 marks the 16th anniversary of Tacoma Arts Month – a community celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits and workshops for all ages taking place throughout the month.
Programming includes music, theater and dance performances, hands-on experiences, visual art exhibits, film screenings, literary readings, lectures, cultural events, and workshops. All events are open to the public and many activities are free.
“We benefit immeasurably from the rich and vibrant arts of the city,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Mike Sweney. “Tacoma artists and arts organizations entertain, provoke, move, educate, and beautify our world; they make us human and they are a powerful economic force. It is fantastic to put a spotlight on the arts this October, and recognize how extremely fortunate we are to have them in our daily lives.”
Attendees of Tacoma Arts Month events are invited to participate in the Tacoma Arts Challenge. Throughout October, those who attend Tacoma Arts Month events and post a photo to social media using #TacomaArts will be entered to win one of three prizes. More information about the Tacoma Arts Challenge is available at TacomaArtsMonth.com.
Tacoma Studio Tour: The community is invited inside the working studios of 70 local artists to learn about the artistic process, ask questions and purchase one-of-a-kind creations.
All studios will feature demonstrations or will have hands-on activities for visitors.
This free, family-friendly, self-guided tour will run Oct. 14 and Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and covers 42 locations around Tacoma.
Studio Tour attendees are encouraged to pick up a Tacoma Studio Tour Passport and have it stamped at each studio location visited. Once at least eight stamps have been collected, the passport can be submitted for a chance to win one of several prize packages containing artwork handcrafted by a selection of artists on the tour.
A complete list of studio locations, an interactive map, and information about the Tacoma Studio Tour Passport is available at TacomaArtsMonth.com.
Information about Tacoma Arts Month events and programming can be found online at TacomaArtsMonth.com. Tacoma Arts Month premier sponsors are Click! Cable TV and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. Media sponsors include KNKX, Northwest Public Radio, ParentMap, Sounds Fun Mom, South Sound magazine, Tacoma Weekly and Weekly Volcano.
– City of Tacoma
