Special Events Funding Announced for 2023

Photo credit: Downtown Tacoma Partnership, Sound Bites 2022

The City of Tacoma’s Events & Recognitions Committee voted to approve $125,000 of Special Events funding for 23 organizations to produce events throughout Tacoma in 2023. These events are free, inclusive, all ages events, which reflect many of the diverse communities and cultures throughout Tacoma.

Music, performing arts, youth activities, multicultural traditions, heritage, literary and visual art, environmental and cultural education, food, dance, and other unique arts and events will be presented in multiple neighborhoods.

“The City’s Events & Recognitions Committee is pleased to guide this funding to events that celebrate Tacoma’s diversity of people, cultures, and expression,” stated committee chair, Jessica Johnston. “These proposed events will provide inspiring experiences that connect communities, uplifting individuals and neighborhoods.”

Selected applicants receive funding of $325 to $10,000 for costs associated with the production of an event (or series of events). Funding may be used for infrastructure, traffic control, performers, marketing, or other related costs for events that take place during 2023. A panel scored eligible applications based on merit, equity, community impact, and the applicants’ capacity to successfully produce the event (or events).

The organizations and events that will receive 2023 Special Events funding are:

• 321 Buddy Fundraising
  Day in the Park

• Rainbow Center
  Pride Festival

• Asia Pacific Cultural Center
  Chuseok Festival

• SENCo Block Party
  South End Neighborhood Council

• Classical Tuesdays in Old Town
  Celebrating Tacoma’s Tapestry

• Tacoma Concert Band
  Tacoma Concert Band Holiday Concert

• Creative Colloquy Crawl
  Creative Colloquy

• Tacoma Light Trail
  Tacoma Light Trail 2023

• Downtown Tacoma Partnership
  Sound Bites

• Tacoma Porchfest
  Tacoma Porchfest

• Girls on Fire
  6th Annual First Love Yourself Gala

• Tacoma Opera Association
  Tacoma Method

• Hilltop Business Association
  Hilltop Street Fair

• Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center
  Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope

• Lincoln International Business Association
  Lincoln Foodwalk Series

• Tacomarama Street Band
  Tacoma Day of HONK!

• Metro Parks Tacoma
  MOSAIC Tacoma’s Arts & Culture Festival

• TEAM WRK
  Level Up Tacoma

• Milgard School of Business
  Dawg Bites

• Washington State Historical Society
  In the Spirit: Northwest Native Festival

• Ocean Fest
  Tacoma Ocean Fest

• Write 253
  Tacoma Teen Poetry Slam

• Proctor District Association
  Jr. Daffodil Parade

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About Tacoma Venues & Events: The City of Tacoma enhances quality of life for the community and drives economic vitality through its premier venues and diverse entertainment opportunities. Tacoma Venues & Events manages these renowned venues which include the Tacoma Dome, one of the world’s largest wood domed structures with flexible seating configurations ranging from 5,000-21,000; the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, artful and modern with its trademark glass walls and 119,000 square feet of event space; Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers; and the historic Pantages and Rialto Theaters, and Theater on the Square. The department includes the office of Special Events.