City of Tacoma announcement.
TACOMA, Wash. — The City of Tacoma invites artists and/or artist teams to submit qualifications to create an art plan – with a budget of $30,000 – for the Tacoma Mall area. The project is funded through the Madison District Green Infrastructure Project, a permeable pavement streetscape project led by the City’s Environmental Services Department, as part of the City’s 1 Percent for Art program which dedicates 1 percent of construction costs from public capital projects to the creation of public art.
Designated as one of 29 Puget Sound Regional Growth Centers, the Tacoma Mall area is slated for significant growth over the next 10 to 15 years. It is also located over the South Tacoma Aquifer, which provides supplemental drinking water for Tacoma.
“With a subarea plan adopted in 2018 and several public investments underway, the Tacoma Mall area is well-positioned for strategic improvements to support a healthy, thriving population center within our city,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards. “With robust public engagement by the selected artists, we strive to further define our community’s vision for the identity and character of this key location.”
Applicants must be 18 years or older, reside in the states of Washington or Oregon, and have demonstrated experience in the specialized area of public art planning. The deadline for submissions is February 8, 2023. Interested artists and/or artist teams are encouraged to attend an optional Zoom info session on January 18, 2023 from noon – 1 PM. Access details to the Zoom info session will be shared on the City’s official social media platforms when available.
Questions or requests for information in alternate formats may be directed to Rebecca Solverson at rebecca.solverson@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5564.
Application details are available at cityoftacoma.org/ArtsOpps.
What is wrong with this mayor? How about cleaning up the graffiti all over the city?
Follow the money.
I think that’s part of the plan; research has shown that if there is more artwork around urban areas, the less graffiti occurs. I don’t think it is a bad idea to invest in the art now and then clean up the graffiti when there’s more funding. I like the idea of bringing community interest in public art, too. Citizens may be more motivated to organize in their own neighborhoods if there is an upgrade to the environment. Plus, more artists are in our area, having been booted out from Seattle since they don’t make enough money to live there anymore.
That’s all theory but I like that they’re taking a unique stab at it.