The City of Tacoma is looking for civic-minded individuals to join the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board, a body that plays a critical role in guiding the city's investment in arts, culture, heritage, and science initiatives. The board is a volunteer position with a three-year term for residents who have not only an interest in but also familiarity with public programming in these areas, accompanied by a passion for furthering Tacoma Creates’ goals around equity, access, and inclusivity.
As outlined in the City of Tacoma's official announcement, the board advises on funding programs and ensures that funded initiatives align with Tacoma Creates guidelines, holding the responsibility to ensure both compliance and accountability, tasks that are delineated within the Tacoma Municipal Code. Reflecting the city's commitment to an equitable and anti-racist framework, these board vacancies are particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, seniors, youth, as well as immigrants and refugees.
Importantly, anyone with a financial interest in an organization that benefits from Tacoma Creates funding cannot serve on the board to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, however, those who volunteer without compensation may apply, they would need to abstain from voting on matters that could affect organizations with which they have an affiliation. Beyond their monthly meetings, which currently alternate between in-person sessions at the Tacoma Municipal Building and virtual meetings via Zoom, members are expected to contribute additional time through participation on application review panels and serving as outreach ambassadors.
Prospective members must be ready to invest the necessary time, with meetings set for the first Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m., running approximately two hours, and they must attend additional sessions as needed, for which Pierce Transit bus passes are provided to facilitate travel to board activities; furthermore, all appointed members are mandated to complete relevant training on public meeting and records protocols via the Washington State Office of the Attorney General within the first three months of appointment. Those in the Tacoma area with a vested interest in the blossoming of their city's cultural landscape are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the direction of Tacoma's creative future.
