DEFINITIONS

Here’s a handy reference for some terms related to Tacoma Creates funding programs.

“Arts organization” means an organization that provides programming across one or more of the following artistic fields: creative place-making, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, multi-disciplinary arts, music, media arts, theater, and visual arts.

“Capacity Building” means investing in the effectiveness and future sustainability of an organization. This can include using resources for operations or program improvements, staff training, upgrades to physical spaces or technology, or anything that advances an organization’s ability to achieve its mission.

“Cultural organizations” and/or “cultural sector” means, collectively, organizations whose primary purpose is to advance and/or preserve arts, culture, heritage, and/or science, and who provide public programming in these areas.

“Culture organization” means an organization that provides programming that focuses on extending or sustaining the traditions, customs, language, knowledge, skills, trades, and/or celebrate the achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social identity group.

“Downtown core” means the area within the following boundaries: North border is 6th Avenue; East border is Thea Foss Waterway and East L Street, South border is I-5; West border is Tacoma Avenue South. Click here to view the Downtown core map.

“Equity” means minimizing historical, systematic, and institutional disparities and maximizing opportunities for all people. Equity takes into account context: history, current realities, and future outcomes. The purpose of equity in Tacoma Creates programming is to foster greater inclusiveness, increase diversity, and broaden participation in arts, culture, heritage, and science experiences.

“Fiscal sponsorship” means a formal arrangement in which a 501(c)(3) organization provides financial management and other administrative services for an organization that provides public benefit but lacks 501(c)(3) status. For Tacoma Creates, cultural organizations that meet all eligibility criteria except for having their own 501(c)(3) status may work with a Fiscal Sponsor based in Washington State. Fiscal sponsors may receive and manage a funding contract from Tacoma Creates on behalf of the sponsored organization; fees charged by the fiscal sponsor to cover administrative expenses may not exceed 10% of any funding contract.

“Heritage organization” means an organization that provides programming that focuses on the identification, documentation, exhibition, interpretation, and/or preservation of the past, including the people, places, events, and physical spaces of any community of people.

“Panel” means a group of individuals convened by staff to review applications or nominations using published review criteria, and make recommendations to the Advisory Board.

“Placemaking” refers to creative efforts that strengthen connections between people and the places they share. Placemaking involves collaboration and community engagement, drawing on community assets and identities and advancing economic, physical, and/or social change.

“Science organization” means an organization that provides programming across one or more of the following scientific fields: physical sciences, life sciences, natural sciences, earth and space sciences, engineering, technology, and work that applies scientific methods or engineering design cycles.

“Tacoma Creates Administration” means the Arts & Cultural Vitality Division within the Community and Economic Development Department, or its successor within Tacoma’s administration.