The Tacoma Arts Commission recently awarded $50,000 in 2015 Arts Projects funding to 18 Tacoma organizations in support of public outreach projects in the fields of music, dance, theater, literary, visual, cross-disciplinary, and cultural arts. The awards ranged in value from $1,000 to $4,600.

“Grassroots arts programming consistently reflects Tacoma’s diverse neighborhoods and interests with an emphasis on accessibility,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Traci Kelly. “We are proud to support this outstanding group of high quality, community-based projects.”

Funded projects include the production of five diverse cultural and arts festivals, historical arts and crafts demonstrations, visual art programs for families, contemporary and classical dance performances, a theater production, a variety of music performances, poetry readings, arts components to a cultural event, and a community-wide guerrilla art project.

Funded organizations include the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Elements of Education, Fort Nisqually Foundation, Hilltop Business Association, King’s Bookstore, Metropolitan Glass, Northwest Repertory Singers, Old Town Business and Professional Association, Puget Sound Poetry Connection, Puget Sound Revels, Second City Chamber Series, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Maritime Fest, Toy Boat Theatre, University of Washington, and the Washington State Historical Society.

The Arts Projects funding program supports high quality community projects with a strong focus on arts that are accessible and affordable to the public. Arts Projects is one 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 cityoftacoma.org/funding.