ABOUT TACOMA CREATES

ABOUT TACOMA CREATES Tacoma Creates is a voter-approved initiative to increase access to arts, culture, heritage, and science experiences throughout Tacoma by reducing barriers to access and expanding offerings, particularly for underserved youth. Eligible non-profit arts, culture, heritage, and science organizations are able to apply for funding that helps them expand equitable access to public programs, increase opportunities in neighborhoods throughout Tacoma, expand educational options for youth, and build sustainability for ongoing cultural programs that provide value for people throughout the City of Tacoma. PRIMARY FUNDING GOALS Support public programs in arts, culture, heritage, and/or science that engage community members in Tacoma Increase access to these programs, and reduce barriers to participation, especially for historically underserved populations, and within neighborhoods across Tacoma Support programming by and for culturally or ethnically specific communities, and/or other underrepresented groups Expand access to youth education programs in arts, culture, heritage, and science Support the sustainability of cultural sector organizations in Tacoma HISTORY / BACKGROUND Tacoma Creates is the first voter-supported Cultural Access Program in Washington State! Read more here about the history of this initiative, and the legislation that supports it. Washington State Legislation In 2015, the Washington State Legislature granted local governments the authority to create a Cultural Access Program in their county or city (RCW.36.160). Under such authority, revenue raised from a voter-approved sales or property tax increase, can be used to strengthen access to cultural organizations and their public programming. Development of Tacoma Creates Tacoma Creates is the Cultural Access Program created specifically for Tacoma. Read the City of Tacoma Resolution No. 40046 and City Council Action Memorandum. In June 2018, the Tacoma City Council unanimously passed Resolution 40046, which put Tacoma Creates on that fall’s ballot as Proposition 1. Tacoma Voter Approval In November 2018, Tacoma voters approved Tacoma Creates by 67.2%, passing in every reporting precinct. Tacoma Creates is the first Cultural Access Program under RCW 36.160 to be enacted in Washington State. The sales tax increase, authorized under Tacoma Creates, went into effect April 2019. The tax will be in place for seven years, at which point it must be renewed by Tacoma voters. City of Tacoma Legislation On December 3, 2019, the Tacoma City Council passed the Tacoma Creates Ordinance which confirmed Tacoma Creates operations as a City of Tacoma program, administered by the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality. This ordinance added chapter 1.55 to the Tacoma Municipal Code, which defines the program purpose, funding eligibility, and the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board [LINK], along with other definitions and processes. TACOMA CREATES TIMELINE June 26, 2018 – Tacoma City Council unanimously passes Resolution 40046 to put Tacoma Creates on the ballot November 6, 2018 – Tacoma voters approved Tacoma Creates (Proposition 1) April 1, 2019 – Sales tax collection begins within the City of Tacoma to fund Tacoma Creates July-August 2019 – Tacoma Creates staff hired July-October 2019 – Tacoma Creates launches pilot programs Fall 2019 – Development of local legislation to support Tacoma Creates operations December 3, 2019 – Tacoma Creates Ordinance (Title 1, Chapter 1.55) is passed January 2020 – Applications released for first round of Tacoma Creates funding May 2020 – Tacoma Creates announces first cohort of 58 funded organizations September 2020 – Inaugural members of the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board appointed by City Council