An arts commission of the City of Tacoma, to be known as the “Tacoma Arts Commission,” is hereby established to serve as an advisory body to the Tacoma City Council.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
This chapter may be referenced as the “Tacoma Arts Commission Code.”
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
It is hereby declared, as a matter of public policy, that support for artists and arts organizations, development and stewardship of public art, cultural tourism, arts education, and cultural development are public necessities and essential for the continuing growth and development of Tacoma’s citizens, economy, and quality of life. The primary duty of the Tacoma Arts Commission is to identify and actively encourage the development and sustainability of the arts in the City by serving as the City’s primary resource in matters of art, culture, public art, and cultural tourism, as provided for in this chapter.
The Purpose of the Tacoma Arts Commission is to:
A.
Promote the arts as vital tools in building Tacoma’s community and economy for the benefit of all its citizens.
B.
Promote and support a diversity of arts and cultural opportunities for our citizens to experience.
C.
Act as a catalyst to bring government, arts and culture, and private sectors together for public benefit.
D.
Encourage strategic investments in arts organizations that increase public connection with the arts.
E.
Create a unique identity and sense of place through the development and stewardship of public art.
F.
Fund programs that encourage artistic excellence and expand exposure to a wide variety of art forms.
G.
Foster the development of the local arts community, encouraging an environment for the success of working individual artists.
H.
Promote programs for cultural exchange and development.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
All members of the Tacoma Arts Commission shall have a demonstrated interest and familiarity with arts and culture, either through professional practice or volunteer work, and shall be residents within the boundaries of the City.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall consist of 15 members who represent the following:
A.
A working professional artist.
B.
A person working in the Tacoma public education community.
C.
A person between the ages of 16-24 at the time of appointment. This member position shall be named the Emerging Leader position.
D.
Professional positions. In addition to the above, the Tacoma Arts Commission shall always include a minimum of four individuals who have had professional experience or training related to the arts, originating from employment or study within the following disciplines: arts or art history, arts administration, architecture, art criticism, art education, curation, conservation, heritage arts, literature, music, new media, performing arts, public art, visual arts, or a related field. These positions shall be named Professional Positions 1 through 4.
E.
At-large positions. The remaining positions may be filled at-large from persons representative of acknowledged accomplishment or persons working outside of professional practice in the arts but who demonstrate a deep interest in and appreciation of cultural and artistic activities. These shall be referred to as At-Large Positions 1 through 8.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29; Ord. 28480 Ex. A, 2017-12-19; Ord. 29056 Ex. A, 2025-10-07)
A.
Terms of the Commissioners of the Tacoma Arts Commission shall be three years except for the term of the Emerging Leader member position which shall be one year.
B.
Terms of all Commissioners shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
C.
Each member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
D.
In the event that a position is vacated before the expiration of the term, except temporary vacancies as hereinafter provided, the position shall be filled by the City Council for the remainder of the unexpired term.
E.
The appointment of any member of the Tacoma Arts Commission who has been absent from three consecutive regular or special meetings of the Tacoma Arts Commission without the approval of said Tacoma Arts Commission shall automatically terminate. The Administrator shall notify any member whose appointment has automatically ended and report to the appointing authority that a vacancy exists on said Tacoma Arts Commission and that an appointment should be made for the unexpired term. The Tacoma Arts Commission shall have the power and authority to excuse any member from attendance at any regular business meeting or study session for good cause.
F.
Any member of the Tacoma Arts Commission may be removed from said Tacoma Arts Commission prior to the expiration of his or her term by two-thirds vote of the City Council, subject to the provisions of subsection E.
G.
Commissioners who move out of the City of Tacoma limits may carry out the duration of their term, but may not be reappointed.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29; Ord. 29056 Ex. A, 2025-10-07)
Members of the Tacoma Arts Commission shall serve without compensation.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall have the power and duty to:
A.
Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to the arts and culture of the City;
B.
Recommend to the City Council the adoption of such ordinances, rules, and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration and preservation of fine arts, performing arts, and aesthetic aspects of the community;
C.
Work cooperatively with City boards and commissions, City departments, and other public and private organizations in creating and promoting art and cultural programs and activities within the City;
D.
By establishing policies, act as a catalyst bringing government, the arts and culture, and public sectors together for the cultural benefit of all;
E.
On behalf of the City, establish policies that encourage, conduct, sponsor, or co-sponsor public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, the arts;
F.
Review and evaluate funded programs to ensure compliance and effective stewardship of City funds;
G.
Encourage the use of professional practices in working with artists;
H.
Provide professional development services for artists through technical assistance;
I.
Serve as the City’s art ambassadors to artists, arts organizations, and the general public;
J.
Officially recognize excellence in the arts and community outreach through the annual AMOCAT awards;
K.
Communicate to the public about the City’s arts programs and policies.
L.
Review and make recommendations upon all works of art to be acquired by the City, either by purchase, gift, or otherwise pursuant to Accession and Gift Policies, adopted by Resolution No. 34963.
M.
Review and make recommendations with reference to any existing work of art in the Municipal Art Collection in connection with the relocation or alteration thereof, pursuant to Deaccessioning policy, adopted by Resolution No. 34963.
N.
Review and make recommendations upon all works of art to be removed from the Municipal Art Collection, pursuant to the Deaccessioning policy, adopted by Resolution No. 34963.
O.
Promulgate policies and procedures for the development and implementation of public art in the City;
P.
Prioritize public art projects in a way that identifies and defines the public art projects and programs to be developed from the 1 percent for art moneys identified in the Capital Facilities Program and/or other public art managed by the Municipal Art Program (Chapter 1.28B TMC);
Q.
Provide stewardship to the Municipal Art Collection by reviewing the condition of the artwork every two years and making recommendations for its care, maintenance, or improvement, including routine maintenance, conservations, and emergency maintenance when required;
R.
Record, maintain, and house all data related to accessed works in the Municipal Art Collection;
S.
Review and make recommendations for permit applications requesting that visual artwork and artistic elements be considered for placement on City of Tacoma property and upon request for placement upon City rights-of-way;
T.
Review and make recommendations for artwork included as part of Building and Land Use permits or development agreements when required or requested.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
A.
Authority of Commission. The Tacoma Arts Commission, acting through its Administrator, is authorized to develop and oversee a Contracts for Cultural Services program to support public experiences of the performing, visual, literary, and other artistic disciplines for the good of the citizens of Tacoma.
B.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall establish relevant programs; recommend, review, and approve funding guidelines; determine funding levels for each program; participate in competitive selection processes; review and approve recommendations for funding; and evaluate outcomes.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
A.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall have one Chair and one Vice Chair with terms of one year, elected by simple majority of the Commissioners present at a regular meeting.
B.
The Chair and Vice Chair will be elected before the first meeting of the year and will start their term at the first meeting of the year.
C.
The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Tacoma Arts Commission. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair is authorized to perform and carry out all of the duties and obligations of the Chair.
D.
If the Chair relinquishes his or her authority or quits before the term’s end, the Vice Chair automatically becomes Chair.
E.
In the event that the Vice Chair relinquishes his or her authority or quits before his or her term ends, a new general election will take place electing a new Vice Chair for the completion of the term.
F.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Tacoma Arts Commission, any other elected officers, and subcommittee chairs.
G.
Committee chairs may be appointed by the Chair or elected by the Tacoma Arts Commission as a whole.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
A.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall establish a regular time and place of meeting and shall hold at least six regular meetings a year.
B.
Special meetings of the Tacoma Arts Commission may be called at any time by the Chair or by a minimum of any three or more members of the Tacoma Arts Commission upon personal notice being given to all members of the Tacoma Arts Commission. If personal notice cannot be given, written notice must be received by such members at least 24 hours prior to said meeting.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
A.
The Tacoma Arts Commission may make and alter any rules and regulations governing its organization and procedure not inconsistent with this chapter or any other ordinance of the City.
B.
A simple majority of appointed, filled positions shall constitute a quorum.
C.
A majority vote of the quorum is required to pass any motion.
D.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall have the power and authority to excuse any member from attendance at any regular business meeting or study session for good cause.
E.
Requests for recommendations and study of matters within the area of interest of the Tacoma Arts Commission shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for review and inclusion on the agenda.
F.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings and transactions. All minutes of the Tacoma Arts Commission’s meetings shall be filed with the City Clerk.
G.
The Tacoma Arts Commission shall submit an annual report to the City Council.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)
The City Manager shall appoint an officer or employee of the City to act as Administrator of the Tacoma Arts Commission. The Tacoma Arts Commission shall be located within the Community and Economic Development Department.
The Tacoma Arts Administrator shall act as ex officio secretary and shall keep accurate records of the Tacoma Arts Commission’s proceedings and transactions, conduct official correspondence, assist in organizing and supervising the Tacoma Arts Commission, and organize and supervise clerical and technical work of the Tacoma Arts Commission to the extent required to administer this chapter.
The Tacoma Arts Administrator shall be responsible for providing such other staff service as may be required by the Tacoma Arts Commission within the limits of the budget for the Community and Economic Development Department, as approved by the City Council.
In addition, the Tacoma Arts Administrator shall:
A.
Implement and administer the “Contracts for Cultural Services” program;
B.
Implement policies and procedures related to arts and cultural planning for the City of Tacoma;
C.
Develop and implement cultural programming that supports the purposes of the Tacoma Arts Commission, as set forth in Chapter 1.28 TMC;
D.
Act as resource and ombudsman for arts-and culture-related issues in the City;
E.
Coordinate the development of a Municipal Art Plan in partnership with client departments and the Tacoma Arts Commission;
F.
Manage the selection and implementation of public art projects for all City departments;
G.
Manage the stewardship of the Municipal Art Collection, including maintenance and conservation;
H.
Upon request by the Public Works Department, review permit applications for compliance with Tacoma Municipal Code Title 13, as related to bonus and variance requests involving art;
I.
Represent the City of Tacoma on local, regional, and/or national steering committees, panels, and boards;
J.
Make public presentations on issues related to arts and culture;
K.
Provide information to civic groups, public agencies, and citizen groups interested in arts and culture;
L.
Recommend such policies, rules, and regulations for adoption by the Tacoma Arts Commission, as are deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
M.
Respond to requests for interpretations of the codes, policies, and procedures related to public art, as defined herein and within related documents adopted by the Tacoma Arts Commission;
N.
Fulfill the essential duties and responsibilities, as outlined in the City of Tacoma’s Arts Administrator job description;
O.
Perform other duties as required by the City Manager, City Council or the Community and Economic Development Department.
(Ord. 27835 Ex. A, 2009-09-29)