The Tacoma Arts Commission recently 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 $35,000 each, and the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program awards are $2,500 each. Funding for both programs is for the 2013-14 biennium.
“The arts are an important economic driver and community builder for Tacoma, and assist in building our cultural identity,” said Robin Echtle, chair of the Tacoma Arts Commission. “Organizations and artists funded reflect and strengthen the rich diversity of arts and cultural experiences happening throughout Tacoma.”
The 2013-2014 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 2012, these nine organizations served 462,539 people, provided free admission to 76,021 people, and generated an estimated $8.82 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.
The 2013-2014 Tacoma Artists Initiative Program funded artists are Sean Alexander, Carla Barragan, Bill Colby, Alice Di Certo, Kyle Dillehay, David Domkoski, Oliver Doriss, Josie Emmons Turner, Sarah Gilbert, Erin Guinup, Meghan Mitchell, Mark Monlux, Kat Ogden, Scott Scoggin, Erik Steighner and Noah Struthers.
Funded Tacoma Artists Initiative Program projects include the choreography and production of a contemporary dance piece, creation and exhibition of two- and three-dimensional art, direction of a theatrical production, performance and recording of music, production and screening of a film, public reading of poetry, and production of whiteboard animation videos.
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 tacomaculture.org.
