Tacoma Art Place Closing, But Programming Continues

Tacoma Art Place Closing Facility, Still Planning Arts Programming for Underserved

After four and a half years, Tacoma Art Place (TAP) will be closing the doors on its “brick and mortar” location at 11th and MLK in Tacoma, Washington, on August 31st, 2012.

“Unfortunately, there simply wasn’t enough public support to keep the facility open,” Linda Danforth, Founder and first President said at the meeting announcing the closure to volunteers. “We had a good run,” adds current president, Deborah Dodson, “Remember, TAP itself is not closing, just this building.”

In the effort not to close in the red, TAP has some fundraising plans and asks for community support. Most equipment and supplies will be offered first to members for donations, then to the public. TAP will also hold a raffle, with the drawing to be held mid-August. Proceeds from the raffle will support the organization. Information will be posted to www.tacomaartplace.org as soon as details are available. Current members can also check the website for open studio hours: TAP will remain open with restricted hours for as long as possible, and every effort will be made to help every member finish current projects.

After the building is vacated, TAP will focus on outreach to satisfy its core function, “to reach underserved groups with arts programming,” through artistic pursuit in the Tacoma area. Mobile units will reach out to local schools, community centers — everywhere art can make a difference.