If your organization is interested in applying for Tacoma Creates funding for the first time, you are encouraged to go through the Organizational Eligibility Review process.

This process will determine whether your organization is eligible for Tacoma Creates funding, so that you will know whether or not to complete the full funding application, which is released in late January 2027. 

Organizational eligibility requirements are explained on the Tacoma Creates website:

• Eligibility for Impact Funding (this funding category is generally for organizations with annual budgets under $400K)
• Eligibility for Comprehensive Organizational Support (this funding category is generally for organizations with annual budgets over $400K and with year-round work in both general public programs and youth education programs)  

If you have any questions about eligibility requirements, please contact Lisa Jaret, Tacoma Creates Program Manager, at ljaret@tacoma.gov. 

NOMINATION DEADLINE: Monday, July 13, 2026, 11:59pm

OVERVIEW: The Tacoma Arts Commission is accepting nominations for the 2026 AMOCAT Arts Awards, which recognize the people, organizations, and groups that positively impact Tacoma with their passion, innovation, and commitment to the arts.

The Tacoma Arts Commission will review all nominations and select finalist(s) in each award category based on:

• Community Impact and Engagement - the reach, consistency, and significance of the nominee's impact on Tacoma's arts community, including how they connect with, support, and build relationships across diverse communities. 
• Contribution to Tacoma's Arts and Cultural Life - the quality, purpose, and integrity of the nominee's work or support -- whether through artistic practice, organizational leadership, patronage, or community building. What do they contribute, and how well do they do it? 

The number of times a nominee is nominated will not be considered in the selection process. The Tacoma Arts Commission has full discretion in the selection of recipients.

The 2026 AMOCAT Arts Awards will be presented by the Tacoma City Council on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street. Recipients will also be recognized at the opening celebration of Tacoma Arts Month on Saturday, October 3, 2026 and shared publicly on the Tacoma Arts Month website at TacomaArtsMonth.org.

AWARD CATEGORIES:

• Community Outreach by an Individual – Community outreach, engagement, and involvement in the arts in Tacoma by an individual
• Community Outreach by an Organization – Community outreach, engagement, and involvement in the arts in Tacoma by an organization or group
• Arts Patron – A community partner who significantly supports or contributes to the arts in Tacoma

TO MAKE A NOMINATION: Fill out the following form to submit a nomination. When writing your nomination, consider addressing the following:

• What has the nominee contributed to Tacoma’s arts community, and who has been impacted?
• What makes the nominee’s approach or work distinctive?
• How has the nominee demonstrated commitment or sustained involvement in the arts?

SELECTION PROCESS: A panel will review all eligible nominations and make recommendations to the Tacoma Arts Commission. The Tacoma Arts Commission will make the final determination of awards. Nominators and nominees will be notified following the selection process.

ELIGIBILITY:  Nominees must be based in Tacoma or make significant contributions to Tacoma’s arts community. The Tacoma Arts Commission is committed to recognizing nominees who reflect the diversity of Tacoma’s communities, including across disciplines, neighborhoods, cultural backgrounds, and career stages.

Self-nominations are accepted and held to the same standards as any nomination.

Individuals, organizations, and patrons previously selected as award recipients are eligible to be nominated again after 5 years have passed since their last award.

PAST AMOCAT ARTS AWARD RECIPIENTS

Community Outreach by an Individual 

• 2025 Saiyare Refaei, Irina Rasputnis 
• 2024 Lourdes Jackson, Anida Yoeu Ali  
• 2023 Reid Ozaki and Kristina Batiste  
• 2022 Tamiko Nimura  
• 2021 Honoring the collective community
• 2019 Aya Hashiguchi Clark and Randy Clark  
• 2018 Jackie Casella  
• 2017 Michael Haeflinger  
• 2016 Christopher Paul Jordan  
• 2015 Connie K Walle  
• 2014 Jessica Spring  
• 2013 David Domkoski  
• 2012 Katy Evans  
• 2011 Stella Haioulani  
• 2010 Oliver Doriss  
• 2009 William Kupinse  
• 2008 Linda Danforth  
• 2007 Lance Kagey and Tom Llewellyn  
• 2006 Laura and Matt Eklund  
• 2005 Jared Pappas-Kelley and Michael S. Lent  
• 2004 Lynn Di Nino

Community Outreach by an Organization 

• 2025 Remakery, Mi Centro 
• 2024 Black Night Market  
• 2023 Southeast Asian Comedy Collective  
• 2022 Real Art Tacoma 
• 2021 Honoring the collective community 
• 2019 Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.)  
• 2018 Tacoma Little Theatre  
• 2017 Monkeyshines  
• 2016 Tacoma Youth Symphony Association  
• 2015 Tacoma Public Library  
• 2014 Asia Pacific Cultural Center  
• 2013 Puget Sound Book Artists  
• 2012 The Grand Cinema  
• 2011 D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts  
• 2010 Fab-5  
• 2009 Hilltop Artists  
• 2008 King's Books  
• 2007 Victory Music  
• 2006 Barefoot Studios  
• 2005 Tacoma School of the Arts  
• 2004 Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass Education Programs, Arts Impact

Arts Patron 

• 2025 Tacoma Public Library 
• 2024 Mattice Hoyt of Mattice Beauty Supply  
• 2023 Foster’s Creative  
• 2022 Grit City Magazine 
• 2021 Honoring the collective community
• 2019 Tacoma Creates Campaign  
• 2018 MultiCare Health System  
• 2017 Tacoma Housing Authority  
• 2016 Metro Parks Tacoma 
•  2015 University of Washington Tacoma  
• 2014 ArtsFund  
• 2013 Erivan and Helga Haub and family  
• 2012 Key Bank  
• 2011 The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation 
• 2010 Urban Grace Church  
• 2009 City Arts  
• 2008 Hotel Murano  
• 2007 The Weekly Volcano  
• 2006 6th Avenue Business District  
• 2005 Pierce Transit  
• 2004 Sound Transit Art Program

2026 Tacoma Studio Tour and Arts at the Armory Guidelines 

The Tacoma Arts Commission invites Tacoma artists and creatives, working in all artistic disciplines and media, to apply for the Tacoma Studio Tour and/or Arts at the Armory. You only need to fill out this one application to be considered for either or both events.

About the Tacoma Studio Tour

The Tacoma Studio Tour is an opportunity to invite the public into your working studio or creative space, give demonstrations of how you make your work, or host a simple interactive activity with the community. This tour emphasizes raising awareness of artists and creatives and providing opportunities for the community to connect to the arts. Artists at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply, from those just starting to longtime practitioners.

A studio or creative working space is defined as a location where an artist actively makes, develops, or demonstrates their work. The space must be located in Tacoma. You do not need a formal studio to participate. A library meeting room, community space, or borrowed workspace can qualify if your setup reflects your active practice and allows visitors to engage with how you make your work. A standard vendor or retail table setup, where you are simply selling your work, does not meet the intent of the Studio Tour. What matters is that visitors can see and engage with your creative process.

If you plan to participate as a guest at another artist's studio or shared creative working space, all application requirements still apply to you individually. Each artist or creative participating at a shared or group studio location must submit their own separate application. 

There is no fee to apply and/or participate in the Tacoma Studio Tour.

The Tacoma Studio Tour takes place on Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2026, from 11 AM – 5 PM.

You can choose to be open on Saturday, Sunday, or both days. You must be open for the full 11 am – 5 pm time frame on the day(s) you select. While not required, we encourage you to have work for sale; no commission will be taken on any sales, and you will handle any sale of your work directly. 

The Tacoma Arts Commission will produce extensive electronic publicity materials, including email communications, social media posts, and an interactive website and map. We will also produce a printed mailer for the Tacoma Studio Tour. We ask that all participating artists actively promote the Tacoma Studio Tour to their contacts; we will provide publicity materials for this use. Thanks for your support! 

This year, we will be continuing the interactive Studio Tour Passport program as an incentive for people to visit and interact with new and/or multiple studios. Each studio space will receive a stamp they can use to indicate guests' active participation at their studio. You are encouraged, but not required, to donate a small art item that can be included in the prize packages.

About Arts at the Armory

Arts at the Armory is an arts market for Tacoma-based artists and creatives who would like to share and/or sell their work with the community, side by side with other creatives, all within the historic Tacoma Armory. Artists at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply, from those just starting out to longtime practitioners.

Participating artists and creatives will be assigned a maximum of a 10’x10’ space (table and chair provided, if requested in the application), where they can share or demonstrate their work and talk about their creative practice with the public. You are not required to provide an interactive experience or demonstration at this event. 

There is no fee to apply and/or participate in Arts at the Armory.

The event will take place on Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15, 2026, from 11 AM – 5 PM, inside the Tacoma Armory (1001 S. Yakima Ave).

You can choose to participate on Saturday, Sunday, or both days. You must be on site and open for the full 11 am – 5 pm time frame on the day(s) you select. 

Arts at the Armory is a meaningful way to build your audience, connect with collectors and community members, and share your practice on your own terms. While not required, we encourage you to have work for sale. No commission is taken on any sales, and you will handle any sale of your work directly.

The Tacoma Arts Commission will produce publicity materials, including email communications, social media posts, and posters. We ask that participating artists and creatives actively promote Arts at the Armory to their own contacts. We will provide all the materials you need to make this easy and effective.

You will be responsible for setting up, being present, staffing, and tearing down your own space. All displays and setups must be freestanding (no wall attachments allowed) and fit within the allotted space. You are not allowed to provide or sell food or beverages to the public or have any open flames.

Eligibility

The following eligibility criteria apply to both the Tacoma Studio Tour and Arts at the Armory:

• You must live within the Tacoma city limits, and/or your regular working studio or performance space must be located within the Tacoma city limits.
• Your work must be created, performed, and/or made by you. It cannot be commercially acquired, appropriated, or AI-generated.

If applying for the Tacoma Studio Tour and you would like to be a guest at another artist’s studio location, the eligibility guidelines listed above still apply. Each artist or creative in a group studio needs to submit their own application.

Creatives and artists who identify as members of the Global Majority: Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color (BBIPOC); African, Latinx, Arab, Asian, Native-American (ALAANA) communities; economically or socio-economically marginalized communities; LGBTQIA+ communities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply

The deadline for applications is Monday, June 22, 2026, by 11:59 pm. Eligible artists and creatives interested in either of these opportunities must fill out this online application form. 

All applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the Tacoma Arts Commission and selected based on the quality of work and the overall variety of artistic disciplines and work represented. 

If applying for both the Tacoma Studio Tour and Arts at the Armory, your application for each event will be considered separately. Past participation in either of these events does not guarantee future selection to participate. We regularly receive more applications than we can accommodate with available resources and limited event spaces.

By applying for the Tacoma Studio Tour and/or Arts at the Armory, and if accepted, you are committing to participate in the event(s), unless serious circumstances occur that make your participation not possible.

Questions?

Contact Daniel Garcia at (253) 830-6763 or dgarcia2@tacoma.gov.