Tacoma Creates

Check out these exciting Tacoma Creates-supported events over the next few days →

It's Pride Month in Tacoma and Tahoma Indian Center (621 Tacoma Ave S) is celebrating our Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA relatives everywhere with their July Culture Night on July 17, 4-7pm. Christian Magdaleno-Schroeder (Piipaash’ and ‘Raramuri) will lead community members in a Pride Loop Earring Workshop. This is a free offering, and all are welcome - but space is limited to 15 community members, so make sure to sign-up today at tahomaindiancenter.org!

On July 18, 7:30-9am, "flock" to Wright Park's W.W. Seymour Conservatory (316 S G St.) and join Tacoma Tree Foundation to learn about our local feathered friends and how they interact, depend on, and support our tree canopy. Enjoy the “Flock” exhibit installation by artist Rachel Simmons before you head out on this free birding walk through Wright Park. All birding levels welcome—no binoculars needed.

The sixth annual Savor Fest PNW returns Sunday, July 19, to the parking lot outside Mi Centro (1208 S. 10th St). From noon to 5 p.m., vendors will serve everything from Cambodian snacks to Trinidadian doubles, Filipino noodles to Venezuelan arepas. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages; support local, eat incredibly well, and celebrate the incredible PNW community.

On July 20, 6:30-9pm, join Ted Brown Music Outreach for Live it OutLoud: Mix N' Match Jam Night. Jam solo, as a band, or play with a professional backup band, meet other local musicians, and try out new songs on stage. This free, family-friendly event takes place at Real Art Tacoma (5412 S Tacoma Way).

For more details on registration, tickets, and even more wonderful events, check out the Tacoma Creates Events Calendar at www.tacomacreates.org/events

Tahoma Indian Center , Tacoma Tree Foundation , Mi Centro - Tacoma, WA , Ted Brown Music Outreach

The City of Tacoma Arts and Cultural Vitality Division is sharing this opportunity from ArtsFund, open to cultural nonprofit organizations statewide.

The Community Accelerator Grant, now in its fourth year, provides unrestricted grants to cultural nonprofit organizations across Washington state. A total of $10 million will be distributed. New this year, eligibility shifts to focus on organizations with annual operating budgets of $1 million or less, recognizing the impact small and medium sized nonprofits have in the sector and the outsized difference these grants can make for organizations under that budget threshold.

ArtsFund is hosting an info session on Wednesday, July 8 at 12 PM PST to walk through the program overview, the updated 2026 eligibility criteria, and what's new in this year's application. ArtsFund staff will be on hand to answer questions directly.

More info: artsfund.org

ArtsFund

Tacoma Creates is excited to kick off its 7th year of funding, supporting 80 non-profit arts, culture, heritage, and science organizations with $6.4 million in public funding!

Thank you to all of these wonderful organizations who continue to provide enriching and engaging programming, and to the Tacoma community for supporting this public funding program.

To see a full list of our 2026-27 funded organizations, visit our website at www.tacomacreates.org/funded-organizations

Explore our Events Calendar to see what Tacoma Creates-supported events are happening throughout the city at www.tacomacreates.org/events

Photo: Tacoma Little Theatre
City of Tacoma Government

Applications for the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board are due soon!

The Tacoma City Council is currently seeking applicants to fill five positions on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board:

- Two Seats Available Based on City Council District: Open to any person residing in City Council District 1 or District 4.

- Two Seats Available Based on Personal/Professional Experience: Open to any person residing in Tacoma with professional expertise in arts, culture, heritage, science, and/or community engagement.

- One Seat Available for an Emerging Leader: Open to any person residing in Tacoma between the ages of 16-24.

Applications are due by Noon on Monday, June 22.

These volunteer positions are three-year terms (or one-year term for the Emerging Leader seat) and are a great way to help shape how public funding supports arts, culture, heritage, and science in Tacoma. The Tacoma Creates Advisory Board typically has openings every year, so stay tuned for future opportunities!

Apply now: tacoma.gov/cbcapplication

More info: tacomacreates.org/advisory-board
City of Tacoma District Map: https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/city-council/ -map

Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Photo: Tacoma Little Theatre
City of Tacoma Government

Check out these five exciting Tacoma Creates-supported events happening soon →

On June 6, 1-2:30pm, Remakery presents Creative Reuse at Tacoma Public Library Swasey Branch (7001 6th Ave). Participants will mend, patch, fix, and repair clothing. Extend the life of a beloved item, stitch up an unwanted hole, or just make something more funky. All supplies provided and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This free workshop is open to all ages, but best for those familiar with how to use a needle.

Join Oasis Youth Center on June 12, 4-5pm for their Library Learner Series at Tacoma Public Library South Tacoma Branch (3411 S 56 St), featuring History UnErased’s educational modules that spotlight lesser-known influential q***r icons whose actions and impacts are often left out of historical narratives. This free workshop is for teens and adults.

On June 13, Communities for a Healthy Bay (5635 Dock St Ste 213) is excited to offer a hands-on, educational kayaking experience for youth ages 12–17. From 10am-2pm, kids will get out on the water for some paddling, marine life discovery, and connection to the natural world. Equipment and lunch are included. Sign up for this free program: https://www.healthybay.org/event/youth-kayak-tour-june-13/

Also on June 13, 3:30-5pm, join Tacoma Porchfest for a free workshop to learn the esoteric art of making a tape loop at Tacoma Public Library Wheelock Branch (3722 N 26th St). All materials will be supplied, and Tacoma Porchfest will be on hand to make sure you walk out with your very own tape loop. If you’d like to record something onto your tape, there will be a variety of synthesizers to record with. This free workshop is for high school teens and adults.

Join Energize Tacoma on June 14, 11am-2pm, to design your own alien creature, using a variety of supplied craft materials, that could be on the alien world of Valeria. This event is held at Kai's Room, an immersive art installation at Freighthouse Square (440 E 25th St, ). This is a free event for all ages.

For more details on registration, tickets, and even more wonderful events, check out the Tacoma Creates Events Calendar at www.tacomacreates.org/events

Remakery, Oasis Youth Center, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Tacoma Porchfest, Energize Tacoma, Tacoma Public Library

A fantastic opportunity for Tacoma teaching artists and arts educators!

📣 Register now for 'Tacoma Creates X TAT Lab: A Workshop for Teaching Artists and Arts Educators!'

👩‍🏫 Who: Open to teaching artists and arts educators, in all creative disciplines, who live and/or work in the City of Tacoma.
📆 When: Saturday, June 13, 10am - 1pm
📍 Where: The Tacoma Armory
👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/eCnUHkSG7DvR2KJd6

In this FREE hands-on workshop, faculty from the Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab (TAT Lab) will demonstrate learning activities in the TAT Lab style, unpacking the elements of instructional design, as well as incorporating culturally responsive practices and Universal Design into arts teaching and learning. Learn more about TAT Lab, meet some of our faculty, and hang out with your teaching artist colleagues.

Registration will be capped at 25 participants. Registrations beyond our maximum will be placed on a waiting list. TAT Lab alumni welcome!

📷 An image of the city of Tacoma in the background, with a white square over it reading "A Workshop for Teaching Artists and Arts Educators | Sat. June 13 | 10AM-1PM @ The Tacoma Armory" (logos above). In the corner, a yellow button reads "Open for Registration!"

Do you have a passion for arts, culture, heritage, and science? Are you interested in supporting City of Tacoma processes related to public funding? Then this opportunity is for you!
The Tacoma City Council is currently seeking applicants to fill five positions on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board:

• Two Seats Available Based on City Council District: Open to any person residing in City Council District 1 or District 4.

• Two Seats Available Based on Personal/Professional Experience: Open to any person residing in Tacoma with professional expertise in arts, culture, heritage, science, and/or community engagement.

• One Seat Available for an Emerging Leader: Open to any person residing in Tacoma between the ages of 16-24.

Applications are due by noon on Monday, June 22.

These volunteer positions are three-year terms (or one-year term for the Emerging Leader seat) and are a great way to help shape how public funding supports arts, culture, heritage, and science in Tacoma.

Apply now: tacoma.gov/cbcapplication
More info: tacomacreates.org/advisory-board
City of Tacoma District Map: https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/city-council/ -map
Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Photo: Asia Pacific Cultural Center

City of Tacoma Government

Tacoma Creates Tacoma Creates supports organizations in increasing access to arts, culture, heritage, and science, particularly for underserved youth and other communities.