FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT

Naomi Strom-Avila, Staff Liaison,nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5191

Applicants Sought for the Tacoma Arts Commission

The Tacoma City Council is looking for applicants to fill the following positions on the Tacoma Arts Commission:

• At-Large Positions 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9 - Persons representative of acknowledged accomplishment or persons working outside of professional practice in the arts but who demonstrate a deep interest in and appreciation of cultural and artistic activities.
• Tacoma Public Education Representative - A person working in the Tacoma public education community.

The Tacoma Arts Commission is comprised of 15 volunteer members who are appointed by the Economic Development Committee and confirmed by the City Council to serve three-year terms. Members are Tacoma residents who are arts advocates and/or artists.

The Tacoma Arts Commission provides leadership in supporting and enhancing the arts for the benefit of the City and its residents. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to create policies to support the ongoing development of arts programs and projects in Tacoma. Its primary programs include the funding of artists and arts organizations to provide services for the community in Tacoma, Tacoma Arts Month, and oversight of public art as part of the Municipal Art Program. The Commission's functions are outlined in Chapter 1.28A and 1.28B of the Tacoma Municipal Code.

The Tacoma Arts Commission strongly supports inclusion, equity and access. People who are members of historically disenfranchised racial, ethnic, cultural and other identity groups are encouraged to apply.

Monthly meetings are held from 5 - 7 PM on the second Monday of each month. Typically, meetings are held at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., Room 248) but, due to COVID-19, meetings are currently held by Zoom. Regular attendance at these monthly meetings is required. Beyond monthly meetings, commissioners are asked to sit on at least one subcommittee and one selection panel each year. Commissioners are also asked to periodically attend and evaluate programs produced by artists and organizations that the Commission funds and are expected to attend and assist with all major programs the Commission produces. A major commitment of the Commission is helping support Tacoma Arts Month, which happens each October. 

Additional information on the Tacoma Arts Commission is available on their website  or by contacting Naomi Strom-Avila at nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5191. 

Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. To apply, please visit cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication. For questions about the application process, to request the application in an alternate format, or to submit additional documents please contact Michelle Emery, City Clerk’s Office, at servetacoma@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5505.

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