Tacoma Creates

09/14/2026

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 one position on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board, open to any person residing in City Council District 3.

Applications are due by noon on Monday, October 12.

This volunteer position is a three-year term and 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: BareFoot Collective

09/10/2026

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

On September 11, Greentrike presents Sparks, with hands-on activities that allow children and their families to explore thematic concepts in art, math, science, movement, and more! This free, family friendly event takes place 10-11:30am at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma (1501 Pacific Ave).

Celebrate the 14th Annual Tacoma Moon Festival on September 12 from 1-6pm! Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation presents a vibrant showcase of our city’s rich cultural heritage, drawing on traditions of the East Asian Mid-Autumn Festival and the rich diversity of Tacoma’s immigrant and heritage communities. This free, family-friendly event features live performances, food trucks, and arts and craft vendors at Chinese Reconciliation Park (1741 N Schuster Parkway).

Join the Tacoma HONK! Team on September 15, 5-6:30pm, to craft custom band or character patches to show off your style. Organizers will offer instruction on using the embroidery machines in the Maker Lab at Tacoma Public Library Main Branch (1102 Tacoma Ave S). There will also be supplies for hand stitching or decorating patches with fabric markers. This workshop is free and intended for grades 6-12.

Valhalla Brass, a quintet of trumpets, French horn trombone and bass trombone, will herald in the 2026-27 season for Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma, performing classic brass standards, new works, and a touch of pops. This free, family friendly concert takes place at Slavonian Hall (2306 N 30th St) on September 15 from 7-9pm.

On September 19, 11am-4pm, celebrate the great Korean Traditional Holiday 'Chuseok' at Asia Pacific Cultural Center (4851 S Tacoma Way). There will be performances, a talent contest, making and tasting holiday food 'Songpyeon', and many more fun and interesting activities. This event is free and family friendly.

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

Greentrike , Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation-CRPF , Tacoma HONK Fest , Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma, Asia Pacific Cultural Center

09/04/2026

We are so excited about Session 1 of Beyond the Bell and Club B! Registration is open now through September 13. Tacoma Creates is proud to support organizations (tagged below!) in providing programming among the many offerings for students in grades K-8. These afterschool programs help every student discover opportunities to explore new interests, build skills, connect with peers, and thrive beyond the school day.

Asia Pacific Cultural Center Rainbow Center Museum of Glass Mo' Motion Dance Academy Arts First WayOut Kids Capoiera Vida Alchemy Skateboarding FabLab Education - Tacoma Swan Creek Art Academy Tacoma Arts Live The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra and Vision Step Team

Tacoma Public Schools

CLUB B & BEYOND THE BELL ARE BACK! Families can start to register now for fun, structured after school activities for elementary and middle school students.

Registration dates open on a staggered schedule by school name. Get more information and register: https://bit.ly/3SCYIiP

08/21/2026

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

Join Guma' Imahe for a Hento & Mwar Mwar Making Workshop on Saturday, August 22 at the Tacoma Public Library Moore Branch (215 S 56th St). This unique learning and crafting experience, rooted in the Chamorro and Pacific Islander languages and cultures, is free for ages 5+ and takes place from 12-1pm. Make and take home your very own piece of Chamorro culture!

On Saturday, August 22, Tacoma Youth Theatre presents Much Ado About Nothing, welcoming young actors to take part in this original adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy. The performance takes place at 2pm, with Pay What You Can Tickets available at the door (924 Broadway, Suite B).

Museum of Glass presents its second lecture in their Forged in Fire series on August 22 at 1pm in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop (1801 Dock St.), exploring the Industrial Revolution’s impact on glass as an everyday necessity and luxury good, from pressed glass to elegant cut crystal. Glassmaking demonstrations will follow at 2pm. For tickets, visit https://www.museumofglass.org/forgedinfire.

On Sunday, August 23, join Kikaha O Ke Kai for E Komo Mai -- a celebration of Hawaiian culture. Watch traditional Hula dancing, taste authentic Pacific Island foods, hear Hawaiian music live on stage, learn to play the ukelele and the art of lei making. Some may even get the chance to take a short ride on Puget Sound in a 6-man outrigger canoe! This free, all-ages event takes place at Owen Beach (5605 Owen Beach Rd) from 12-4pm.

Join 2nd Cycle for the Volunteer Open House: Circular Economy on August 23, from 11am-2pm at the 2nd Cycle Community Cycle Center (1205 M.L.K. Jr Way)! This free event invites community members of all skill levels to discover how to strip, sort, rebuild, and recycle bicycles to build a sustainable, eco-friendly local economy. No prior experience is necessary, and free lunch is provided for all attendees.

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

Guma Imahe , Tacoma Youth Theatre , Museum of Glass , Kikaha O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club, Tacoma, WA , 2nd Cycle Tacoma's Community Cycle Center

07/16/2026

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

07/01/2026

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

07/01/2026

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

06/15/2026

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

06/04/2026

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

05/22/2026

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!"