The Pierce County Art Grant program began in 1986 to increase access to the arts, develop educational programs, provide support for unincorporated and underserved areas of Pierce County and to celebrate cultural diversity.

The Pierce County Arts Commission serves the community with a mission to provide cultural enrichment for all Pierce County residents. We are committed to supporting the entirety of our community. We invite applicants to consider how their programs can help build a stronger more empathetic community with projects that are equitable and inclusive, offer opportunities for connection and relationship building, and contribute to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of our community members.

In 2021 Pierce County awarded $23,000 in grants which funded 5 projects, served 4,300 youth, and provided programming in 35 Pierce County schools.

The Commissioners

Eligibility:           

• Your organization is a  Washington State tax-exempt, non-profit corporation under Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) determination.
• Your organization is physically located in Pierce County with programs serving unincorporated areas of Pierce County.
• Your project will occur between January 1 and December 31, 2023. 
• Your project will facilitate arts education, art programming, or art experiences to those who reside in unincorporated Pierce County or to areas of Pierce County, outside the city limits of Tacoma, which are under-served by arts and cultural activities in one of the following categories:
  • Student musical instruments
  • Performance arts
  • Other art disciplines
• You are aware that funding is on a reimbursable basis; your organization will be required to cover initial costs and submit approved expenditures for reimbursement at the completion of your project.
• You are aware your application may be awarded only a portion of the funding requested and that funding in one year does not guarantee funding in subsequent years.
• You agree to acknowledge Pierce County Arts Commission’s funding in all appropriate publications and media with the supplied logo materials.
• Grant recipients must provide documentation of insurance coverage required by Pierce County.

The Washington State Constitution prohibits public agencies from giving gifts. The Arts Commission may only purchase specific arts services or products to benefit the citizens of Pierce County. 

Pierce County Art Grants cannot support:

• Capital improvements, purchase real property, or support administrative costs not directly
   associated with the project.
• Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the contract.
• Events intended as fundraisers for any organization or person(s); events not commonly recognized as general public event; events expressing or advocating an opinion, position or viewpoint on matters of political or religious issues.
• Performance events for which an admission fee is charged.
• Services before they occur. Funds will be disbursed when the project is completed and the required final reports have been submitted and accepted.
• Food, alcohol, ticket subsidies, or transportation.
• Paying students for artistic services.
• Funding scholarships.
• Discrimination of any kind. Pierce County is committed to a policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.

Updated 1/4/2023

• Virtual Application Workshop (optional):  Wednesday, December 21, 2022, 10:30 - 11 am             
• Preliminary Application Feedback Deadline (optional): January 9, 2023
• Application Deadline: January 25, 2023, 4:00 pm
• Notification of Funding Decision: February 28, 2023
• Contracting Process with Funded Artists: March-May 2023
• Grant reports and invoicing submitted within 30 days after project completion.  If project runs full length of year, invoice and reporting due no later than December 11, 2023.
• Project Must be Completed: December 31, 2023