The City of Tacoma is on the hunt for culturally minded citizens to take a seat at the table of municipal arts and culture policymaking, decisions reflected in the liveliness and cultural health of a city. The City Council has put out a call for applications to fill vacancies on both the Tacoma Arts Commission (TAC) and the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board (TCAB), as announced in a recent press release. The Tacoma Arts Commission is looking to bring in seven new members, while the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board has one open slot to fill.
Opportunities on the TAC include four at-large positions, two professional seats, and one spot for a representative from Tacoma's public education system. According to the press statement, individuals who hold these positions must boast not only a residence within Tacoma city limits, but also a "deep interest in and appreciation of cultural and artistic activities." As for the professional positions, applicants are expected to have existing ties or pertinent experience in a variety of artistic disciplines.
As for the TCAB, there is one specific vacancy, which requires the applicant to reside in Council District No. 5. The duties associated with this role, according to the city's official announcement, involve advising on funding programs and ensuring the proper execution and adherence to the goals of Tacoma Creates, particularly in matters of equitable access and providing public benefits.
The function of the TAC, composed of 15 volunteers, is to foster the growth of the arts in Tacoma by creating supportive policies and overseeing arts programs and projects. The importance of their role is clear in their stewardship of Tacoma Arts Month, and their commitment to social justice, which is exhibited through the equitable opportunities they aim to provide across artistic expressions and communities. Applicants must be able to commit to regular meetings and active engagement in the commission’s various programs and activities.
City of Tacoma Committees, Boards, and Commissions pride themselves on building an anti-racist organization that reflects the city's diverse makeup. They've issued a broad call for applications from all backgrounds — including BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ community members, individuals with disabilities, seniors, youth, immigrants, and refugees.
Those who are appointed to these impactful volunteer positions will be required to take trainings provided by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General concerning public meetings and records within 90 days of their appointment. Applications need to be submitted by noon on October 13. For further information regarding the application process or any required additional materials, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Elizabeth Wing at the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected].
