Sure, they’re tall, and worth seeing as they sail in. But tall ships both past and present have also inspired some pretty cool art, song, drama, literature and science – and a lot of it is coming to the South Sound this week.

Here’s a guide to rounding out Tall Ships Tacoma week (and beyond) with cultural experiences worthy of any chantey-singing, Shakespeare-declaiming captain.

VISUAL ART

What: “Make Way for Tall Ships” is a selection of maritime-themed prints from traditional to abstract, held in the museum’s Murray Family Event Space.

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays from June 2 through Aug. 31.

Where: Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.

Admission: $25 family, $7.50 adults, $6.50 students, seniors, military and free on third Thursdays and for 5 and younger.

Information: 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org.

What: “South Sound Maritime Art Exhibit” includes around 100 paintings and 20 sculptures in this annual, all-maritime juried art exhibit, particularly work from the Pacific Gallery Artists and Rainier League of Arts.

When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from June 16-July 18, till 8 p.m. July 17.

Where: Bronze Works Studio, 2506 S. Fawcett St., Tacoma.

Admission: Free.

Information: 253-396-0396, www.rainierleagueofarts.com, www.pacificgalleryartists.org.

What: “The Tacoma Summer and Maritime Art Show and Competition” is a new juried show held just outside the store, featuring two-dimensional art, with a competition for $300 first place prize money.

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-July 7, winners announced 3 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Tacoma Art Suppy, 1552 S. Jefferson St., Tacoma.

Admission: Free.

Information: 253-572-1168, www.tacomaartsupply.com.

SCIENCE

What: The Foss Waterway Seaport has just completed a $6.9 million renovation of the Balfour Dock Building and esplanade, part of an ongoing $24 million project. Open now is the maritime history museum, a tour of the CGC Eagle, the only active commissioned sailing vessel in the U.S. Maritime Services, and a brand-new exhibit from the famed San Francisco Exploratorium. “Navigation: Finding Your Way” explores the ingenuity of how people navigate their world, from tools to maps to the stars.

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-July 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through fall.

Where: Foss Waterway Seaport Balfour Dock Building, 705 Dock St., Tacoma.

Admission: Free during Tall Ships, $6 thereafter.

Information: 253-272-2750, www.fosswaterwayseaport.org.

KIDS

What: “Young Explorers: Tall Ships” is a minicamp for the little one. Kids age 3 and older can don pirate gear, create art and play games inspired by ship voyages.

When: 9 a.m.-noon Monday and Tuesday (session 1) and Thursday and Friday (session 2).

Where: Children’s Museum of Tacoma, 936 Broadway, Tacoma.

Admission: $55 nonmembers, $50 members.

Information: 253-627-6031, www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org.

MUSIC

Who: Various performers.

What: Tall Ships Tacoma.

When: Noon-8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-July 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 7.

Where: Along Dock Street, Tacoma.

Admission: Free.

Information: www.tallshipstacoma.com.

What: The Dead Reckoning Revels Singers from the Puget Sound Revels come together to sing sea chanteys, drinking songs and the like.

When/Where: 2 p.m. Friday on Northwest Passage Stage, 7 p.m. Saturday on Tradewinds Stage, 6 p.m. July 6 on Treasure Cove Stage, also roving through the crowd throughout the festival.

Where: Tall Ships Tacoma along Dock Street, Tacoma.

Admission: Free.

Information: 253-756-1804, www.pugetsoundrevels.org.

Who: Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.

What: A sea-inspired concert of light classics such as Tchaikovsky’s “Russian Sailor’s Dance” and Strauss’ “The Blue Danube,” plus popular works such as theme music from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and patriotic works from Sousa marches to the Armed Forces Salute.

When: 10:30 a.m. July 6.

Where: Thea’s Park, 405 Dock St., Tacoma.

Admission: Free.

Information: 253-272-7264, www.tacomasymphony.org.

Who: Dennis James, organist.

What: Live music with a silent film, “The Black Pirate,” starring Douglas Fairbanks.

When: 7 p.m. July 6.

Where: Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma.

Admission: $15, proceeds to First Night celebration.

Tickets: LeRoy Jewelers, 940 Broadway; Glenna’s Clothing, 783 Broadway; King’s Books, 218 St. Helen’s Ave.; Broadway Center for the Performing Arts box office event day only, 901 Broadway.

Information: firstnighttacoma @gmail.com.

THEATER

What: “The Tempest.” Shakespeare in the Parking Lot’s take on this classic involves two parts: the romance “Tall Ship Love,” featuring Miranda and the Prince, and the tragic comedy “Caliban’s Revenge,” about the play’s brutish monster. Outdoor performance, involving audience.

When: 2 p.m. (“Tall Ship Love”) and 4 p.m. (“Caliban’s Revenge”) Saturday and 2 p.m. (“Tall Ship Love”) July 6.

Where: Tall Ships Tacoma, Thea Foss Waterway amphitheater (behind Museum of Glass).

Admission: Free.

Information: 253-318-5182, www.sitpl.org.

LITERATURE

What: “Tall Ships on Puget Sound” by Chuck Fowler.

Who: Fowler is an author, maritime historian and founding executive director of the Working Waterfront maritime Museum. His newly released book, part of the “Images of America” series, tells the Sound’s maritime history through photos from the mid-1700s.

Where: Available in various bookstores, including King’s Books, the University of Washington Tacoma Book Store and Borders Books & Music.

Information: www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Rosemary Ponnekanti: 253-597-8568