*IN OUR BACKYARD: A Community Conversation and Art Project About Homelessness* July 11, 2018 Contact: Tanya Tran, Outreach and Communications Coordinator for Roni Chelben, City of Tacoma Artist in Residence | tanyathtran@gmail.com www.cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard www.facebook.com/TacomaArtsCommission/ ——————————————————— Do you believe in art as a vehicle for social change? Are you invested in your 253 community? Mark your calendars for *In Our Backyard* <http://cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard>, a series of traveling community events in Tacoma, WA, that brings people together for a conversation about homelessness, its causes, challenges, and possible approaches. [image: cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard] <http://cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard> The project runs *July 25, 2018 – August 16, 2018*, giving you 5 chances to take part in this important conversation: [image: https://www.facebook.com/events/1699534013433783/] <https://www.facebook.com/events/1699534013433783/> *​Learn more at cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard <http://cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard> | RSVP on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/1699534013433783/> | Watch the introduction video on Vimeo <https://vimeo.com/277318124>* ​ Each event features a participatory performance created and performed by individuals experiencing homelessness in Tacoma, as well as a video art installation presenting conversations between housed and homeless residents, filmed in each other’s backyards. The project brings the experience of homelessness to the forefront, with the goal of sparking conversation and public awareness around the challenges of homelessness and the social responsibility of the community at large towards its homeless residents. [image: https://vimeo.com/277318124] <https://vimeo.com/277318124> ​ ​ *In Our Backyard* is funded by the City of Tacoma’s Neighborhood and Community Services Department, in partnership with the Office of Arts and Cultural Vitality. Learn more at cityoftacoma.org/inourbackyard and follow using the hashtag #InOurBackyardTacoma. Please mark your calendars for this important community engagement opportunity! Sincerely, Roni Chelben City of Tacoma Artist-in-Residence