The Tacoma Arts Commission has announced the financial support of 17 art projects that will take place throughout the City of Tacoma this year. Art Projects funding strives to support arts components of programs generated by small nonprofit organizations.

"I always look forward to this time when we get to see the broad range of creative energy that these grassroots organizations bring to our community," said Chair Phillip Hill, Tacoma Arts Commission. "I am proud that the arts commission can support this diverse range of talent and their meaningful contributions to the community."

Out of 21 requests for funding, the 17 organizations received a total of $46,000. Projects in the works include the opening of a new contemporary art gallery, Critical Line, the creation of a new Hilltop dance studio, an outdoor site-specific dance performance, a Chinese artists' exhibition, increased arts and performances at local festivals, Shakespeare performances, poetry readings, traditional Cambodian dance and urban hip-hop.

Funded organizations include Art on the Ave, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, ArtRod, Barefoot Studios, Classical Music Tuesdays, Fab 5, Commencement Bay Maritime Fest, MLK Ballet, Normanna Male Chorus, Proctor Farmers Market, Puget Sound Poetry Connection, Roosevelt Dancers, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, Tacoma Actors Guild, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Contemporary and Tacoma Farmers Market.