[cid:image001.jpg@01D2091C.0DE19EB0]Tacoma Arts Month is just around the corner October 2016 marks the 15th anniversary of Tacoma Arts Month - a community celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits and workshops for all ages, taking place every day throughout the month. Programming includes music, theater and dance performances, hands-on experiences, visual art exhibits, film screenings, literary readings, lectures, cultural events, and workshops. All events are open to the public and many activities are free. Tacoma Arts Month is online Information about all Tacoma Arts Month events, workshops, and exhibits can be found online at TacomaArtsMonth.com<http://www.tacomaartsmonth.com/>. E-newsletter Let us bring the weekly calendar of Tacoma's arts and culture happenings straight to your inbox so that you can plan out your weekday and weekend social calendar. Sign up for the twice-weekly Tacoma Arts Month e-newsletter <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WATACOMA/subscriber/new?topic_id=WATACOMA_207'> and you'll receive timely information about the multitude of fabulous arts and culture events you can be a part of this October. Tacoma Arts Challenge Attendees of Tacoma Arts Month events are invited to participate in the Tacoma Arts Challenge. Throughout October, those who attend Tacoma Arts Month events and post a photo to social media using #TacomaArts will be entered to win one of three prizes. More information about the Tacoma Arts Challenge is available at www.TacomaArtsMonth.com<http://www.TacomaArtsMonth.com>. Signature events include: * Tacoma Arts Month Opening Party and AMOCAT Arts Awards The community is invited to attend a free celebration on Sept. 29 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Asia Pacific Cultural Center (4851 South Tacoma Way). Start Tacoma Arts Month off with a kaleidoscope of pop-up art exhibits, hands-on activities, music and dance performances, and more at this family-friendly, community festival. There will be appetizers, dessert and a no-host bar. The event will include recognition of the Tacoma Arts Commission's 2016 funding recipients and the AMOCAT Arts Award winners: Metro Parks Tacoma, Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and Christopher Paul Jordan. The event is presented by the Tacoma Arts Commission and Spaceworks Tacoma, and hosted by Asia Pacific Cultural Center. * Tacoma Studio Tour You are invited inside the working studios of 57 local artists to learn about the artistic process, ask questions and purchase one-of-a-kind creations. All studios will feature demonstrations or will have hands-on activities for visitors. This free, family-friendly, self-guided tour will run Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and covers 34 locations around Tacoma. Studio Tour attendees are encouraged to pick up a Tacoma Studio Tour Passport and have it stamped at each studio location visited. Once at least eight stamps have been collected, the passport can be submitted for a chance to win one of several prize packages containing artwork handcrafted by a selection of artists on the tour. Visit the Tacoma Studio Tour website<http://tacomaartsmonth.com/tacoma-studio-tour/> for a complete list of studio locations, an interactive map<http://www.tacomaculture.org/arts/resource/ArtAtWorkTacoma/web/StudioMap.htm>, and information about the Tacoma Studio Tour Passport. Start planning now; October is going to be a great month in Tacoma! Tacoma Arts Month is made possible with the support of these generous sponsors: Premier Sponsors: Click! Cable TV, The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Media Sponsors: Crosscut, KNKX, Northwest Public Radio, ParentMap, Sounds Fun Mom, South Sound magazine, Tacoma Weekly, Weekly Volcano Social Media Sponsor: ARCADE Naomi Strom-Avila Cultural Arts Specialist City of Tacoma 747 Market Street, Room 900 Tacoma, WA 98402 253.591.5191 [Email-footer]