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