Tacoma Art at Work month fills the month of November with just that - art in progress, art out in the world, art doing more than simply sitting on a shelf and looking pretty.

Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6-8:30 p.m., the Art at Work kick-off party welcomes all into the hallowed halls of Tacoma Art Museum to start the month off right - with appetizers, desserts and a no-host bar. The art galleries will be open for your strolling pleasure and the air will be filled with the sweet sounds of the Tacoma Youth Symphony.

"It's a free event and it's open to the public," says Naomi Strom-Avila, cultural arts specialist at the Tacoma Arts Commission, which is responsible for putting on the event. "It really kicks off the month, and it's a great way to meet new people, see exhibits, have some appetizers - it's a lot of fun."

The evening is also dedicated to honoring 2012 funding recipients and AMOCAT Award winners. This year's AMOCAT Awards will go to three local pillars of the arts community. The Arts Patron Award will go to KeyBank, recognizing their donations to the Children's Museum of Tacoma, Broadway Center, Tacoma Art Museum and more, often allowing these venues to expand services. An award for Community Outreach by an Organization goes to The Grand Cinema, while Community Outreach by an Individual will go to local writer and fundraiser, Katy Evans.

[Tacoma Art Museum, Thursday, Nov. 1, 6-8:30 p.m., free admission, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.591.5191]

LINK: Art at Work Month 2012 schedule of events