2021-2022 Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (United States)

Deadline: 25-Jan-21

The City of Tacoma is inviting applications for its 2021-2022 Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP) which was established in 1999 to encourage the contributions made by individual artists within the city of Tacoma. The goals of the program are to recognize the creative expression of the artists in the community, financially assist artists in generating new work and growing their skills, and engage the broader community through free public components presented by the funded artists.

The Tacoma Arts Commission strongly supports justice, equity, inclusion, and access. They celebrate Tacoma’s diversity of people, places, cultures, and artistic expression. The arts are uniquely positioned to touch every person and every part of Tacoma, and they are committed to supporting the entirety of the community.

Funding Information

TAIP funding awards are $3,000 and are determined through a competitive application process.

Funding Priorities

TAIP funding will be prioritized for artists’ projects that meet one or more of the following:

Projects that primarily give voice to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)/ African, Latinx, Arab, Asian, Native-American (ALAANA) communities.
Projects that primarily give voice to economically or socio-economically marginalized communities.
Projects that primarily give voice to LGBTQIA+ communities.
Projects that primarily give voice to people with disabilities.
Projects that primarily give voice to racial justice and/or social justice.
Projects that will use TAIP funding to directly pay Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)/ African, Latinx, Arab, Asian, Native-American (ALAANA) collaborators to create work that is central to the project.
The emergent community needs related to the global pandemic.

Project Requirements

Creation of New Work – Artists should focus on the generation and/or completion of new artwork. Applicants are encouraged to consider how TAIP funding can be used to help them grow as artists. All funded projects must take place within the Tacoma city limits.
Public Component – Artists are required to share their art or artistic practice with the residents of Tacoma in a public forum that is free and accessible to everyone and is located within the Tacoma city limits. The public component can happen either physically (within state and local health regulations) and/or virtually.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for TAIP funding, the applicant must:

Be a resident of the City of Tacoma;
Be a practising artist, dedicated to producing artwork on a regular basis;
Be applying as an individual artist;
Be 18 years old or older;
Produce a public component to their project that will be free to the public and will take place within Tacoma city limits;
Already have or, if selected for funding, will obtain a City of Tacoma business license;
Comply with the laws of the Federal Government, the State of Washington and the City of Tacoma, including non-discrimination, Americans with Disabilities Act, and equal employment opportunities;
Acknowledge the City’s funding in all appropriate marketing and promotion of the project;
NOT have received a TAIP award in the past funding cycle (2019-2020);
NOT be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in an art-related degree program;
NOT be a member of the TAIP selection panel;
NOT be a current Tacoma Arts Commission member, City Council member, or City of Tacoma employee.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program Funding.

The application will ask for:

Basic contact and project information.
Narrative Responses of the 2021-2022 TAIP application guidelines for a list of narrative questions.
Budget Page (download the budget form, fill out and attach to your electronic application.
Artist Resume or Bio.
Location Confirmation or Plan: Written permission (email or letter) from the property owner to indicate their willingness to host the proposed public component. Or, a written explanation of the preferred location along with a clear plan to secure the necessary sites/partnerships should funding be awarded. A letter is not needed if the applicant is hosting the project virtually or at a location they own.
Letter of Commitment: If you are collaborating with any organizations or individuals whose role is central to your project’s success, provide written confirmation (letter or email) of their commitment to your project.
Proof of Residency such as a photo of your Washington State ID, Driver’s License, housing lease, or current utility bill to indicate your current residency within the City of Tacoma limits.
Artistic Work Samples and descriptions.