How Tacoma Creates funding enriches the lives of residents and the local economy | Opinion

In 2018, residents of Tacoma voted to approve a new sales tax of 0.1%, creating the first cultural access program in Washington State. Managed by the City of Tacoma with oversight from 12 volunteer community members, this community supported initiative has improved access to high-quality arts, culture, heritage and science experiences.

Now in its fifth year of providing funding, we, members of the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board, are excited to share a snapshot of the positive impact that increased access to this expansive cultural programming has on our community.

Tacoma Creates funding was a lifeline for Tacoma-based nonprofit arts, culture, heritage and science organizations during the pandemic, and has transformed access to programming for the public and youth. Nonprofit organizations’ applications for funding go through a rigorous evaluation process by panels of Tacoma residents to ensure their proposal aligns with Tacoma Creates’ primary funding goals, which includes offering experiences in underserved neighborhoods and supporting programming that is by and for historically marginalized groups.

The success of Tacoma Creates is evident in the numbers: in the 2023/24 funding cycle, the program distributed $5.8 million to 65 organizations that ultimately delivered over 1,200 programs to more than 1.2 million participants. Notably, 77% of programming supported by Tacoma Creates funding was free for participants.

Tacoma Creates ensures access across Tacoma by partnering with the Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Public Schools. Various cultural nonprofits, both large and small, collaborate with schools to provide high-quality youth programming during and after school. We are especially proud that in the 2023/24 school year, 100% of our schools benefited from programming supported by Tacoma Creates.

This includes district-wide field trips launched by Tacoma Public Schools last year. All 3rd graders now visit the LeMay-America’s Car Museum to study physics and vehicle design, 5th graders attend a Symphony Tacoma performance, 6th graders explore the science of glass and light at the Museum of Glass and 7th graders board a marine research vessel Foss Waterway Seaport. For the first time these powerful learning experiences are accessible to every student in Tacoma and made possible by Tacoma Creates funding.

Along with providing community members with rich art, culture, heritage and science opportunities, we know that a healthy cultural sector positively impacts the local economy. When people attend art exhibitions and live performances, they often dine out, visit nearby shops, or hire a babysitter.

A 2022 economic impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts found that Tacoma’s cultural sector generated $163 million in economic activity, supported 2,065 jobs, and contributed $28.7 million in tax revenue. These numbers are 3-7 times more than the median for cities of a similar size. Public investment in arts, culture, heritage, and science through programs like Tacoma Creates benefits Tacoma’s bottom line.

The data confirm that Tacoma Creates is fulfilling its intended purpose of supporting a robust and healthy cultural sector while removing barriers to arts, culture, heritage, and science programming. However, the impacts of this program extend beyond the classroom, studio, workshop, and gallery to serve Tacoma in other meaningful ways.

In 2024 a group of students from Hilltop Artists told the News Tribune Editorial Board about the lack of compassion and empathy they see in Tacoma and society at large. This group of students delivered a strong message that addressing complex issues like climate change and social justice requires people to feel more connected to each other and their community.

We know from the testimonials of young people who engage with Tacoma Creates-funded organizations, this fund helps build a sense of community and connectedness. A middle school parent recently shared that their child “endured a whirlwind of transitions recently and found little comfort at school at first, feeling lost in a sea of cliques and crowds with few friendly faces.

By a pure stroke of luck, we stumbled upon an event for the middle school anime club at FabLab, and we have been incredibly fortunate to have found such a supportive community. Our child is now discovering herself, their voice, and their place, all because they found people who share their passion and interests at FabLab.” By supporting organizations that create opportunities for people to come together to explore, discover, and celebrate, Tacoma Creates is helping our city become a place where all its residents can find a sense of belonging.

Tacoma Creates is fulfilling its commitment to strengthen cultural organizations and enhance programming throughout our city. This initiative helps our community connect through art, culture, heritage, and science. In the coming months, Tacoma Creates will be presented to the Tacoma City Council for a vote on reauthorization.

We urge the council to vote yes and continue to invest in the cultural and economic vitality of Tacoma. And we invite readers to check out the Tacoma Creates calendar and join us at an upcoming event to experience first-hand the ways this program is helping to build a stronger, more vibrant, Tacoma.