Tacoma arts organizations and community groups can apply starting Monday, Sept. 14, for city grants of $4,000 or $6,000 to produce public arts programming in 2027.

The Community Arts Projects program, administered by the city's Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality, funds performances, festivals, workshops, exhibitions and other projects open to the general public across all artistic disciplines, according to the city. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26.

New this cycle: the city is prioritizing applicants who do not already receive funding through Tacoma Creates, the city's Cultural Access Program. Tacoma Creates distributed roughly $6.4 million to 80 nonprofits in its current 2026-27 funding cycle, according to the program's website. The priority targets groups outside that funding stream.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c) status, organized community groups, tribes or Native nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses or schools producing nonprofit-style projects. Applicants must be based in Tacoma or conduct most of their activities within city limits.

One catch: the art must be human-made.

Funding is competitive and depends on City Council approval of the 2027 budget. The city has not disclosed the total dollar amount available or how many projects will be funded.

Free workshop Oct. 7

A free virtual workshop for prospective applicants is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A recording will be posted afterward at tacoma.gov/artsopps, where the full application and guidelines are also available.

Questions can be directed to the program contact at [email protected] or (253) 591-5191.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 26. Full details and the online form are at tacoma.gov/artsopps.