[Tacoma Color PC.jpg]Nineteen Community Art Projects Funded by the Tacoma Arts Commission The Tacoma Arts Commission recently awarded $50,000 in Arts Projects funding to 19 Tacoma organizations in support of 2017 public outreach projects in the fields of theater, visual, dance, music, literary, film, cross-disciplinary, and cultural arts. The awards range in value from $1,000 to $4,500. "We were blown away by the diverse group of community and arts organizations, several of whom were first-time applicants," said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Mike Sweney. "This is a strong indicator that the arts are thriving in Tacoma. We're pleased and honored to be able to support these projects for artists and communities throughout the city." Funded projects include the production of six diverse cultural and arts festivals, historical arts and crafts demonstrations, visual art programs for families, three dance workshop series, one film festival, one theater production, three music performance series, poetry writing and performance workshops for youth, poetry readings, and visual art exhibits. Funded organizations include Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Barefoot Collective, Centro Latino, Children's Museum of Tacoma, Old Town Business & Professional Association, Destiny City Film Festival, Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Council of Tacoma, Fort Nisqually Foundation, Foss Waterway Seaport, Hilltop Business Association, King's Bookstore, Morgan Family YMCA, Northwest Repertory Singers, Puget Sound Poetry Connection, Salishan Association, Tacoma Concert Band, Toy Boat Theatre, Washington State Historical Society, and Write253. 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<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/funding>.