Tacoma Creates Continues to Boost Access to Arts and Culture for Schools and Community
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~ Tacoma Creates, Washington state's pioneering cultural access program, has successfully completed its fourth funding cycle, awarding $5.8 million to 65 organizations dedicated to advancing arts, culture, heritage, and science. This competitive funding program has enabled these organizations to offer over 1,200 cultural programs and events for the Tacoma community during the 2023-2024 period.

According to Mayor Victoria Woodards, the data from four years of Tacoma Creates funding shows that the program is achieving its intended impact. The cultural sector in Tacoma has become stronger and more diverse, with increased access for a larger portion of the community. Woodards also noted that these efforts benefit the entire community by providing opportunities for young people and supporting employment for artists and creative workers in Tacoma.

Brian Robinson, Chair of the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board, highlighted the program's success in fostering collaborations within the community. He specifically mentioned partnerships with Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Public Schools as examples of how organizations are working together to benefit the community. Over 100 free cultural programs were offered at library branches throughout the city, and hundreds of local students were able to participate in cultural field trips and in-school STEAM learning opportunities thanks to Tacoma Creates' support.

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One-third of the programs supported by Tacoma Creates were youth education programs, including those offered in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools. In addition to classes and workshops on school campuses, funding was also used for bus transportation for 245 field trips for students. This allowed students to broaden their horizons through experiential learning in arts, culture, heritage, and science.

The majority of programs and events produced with Tacoma Creates' funding were offered free of charge to the community. In fact, nearly 80 percent of them were free events that attracted over 300,000 attendees. Additionally, over 65 percent of organizations' funds were allocated towards producing programs and events in neighborhoods across the city rather than just downtown. An interactive map on the Tacoma Creates website allows community members to see the various locations where programs and events were held.

One of the key goals of Tacoma Creates is to help cultural organizations build long-term sustainability and increase access to their programs. During the 2023-2024 program year, organizations used funding to invest in staffing, form collaborations within and outside of the cultural sector, and strengthen their infrastructure. These investments have allowed organizations to expand their impact and create more inclusive and equitable environments. Furthermore, Tacoma Creates has provided opportunities for artists and other cultural workers to increase their paid work opportunities, contributing to the local creative economy.

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The full 2023-2024 Annual Report for Tacoma Creates, including a Spanish version, can be found on their website at tacomacreates.org. The report provides further details on the program's success in boosting access to arts and culture for schools and the community. With four years of data showing its positive impact, Tacoma Creates continues to be a valuable resource for promoting a vibrant cultural scene in Tacoma.

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