AMOCAT ARTS AWARDS
The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Arts Commission’s annual AMOCAT Arts Awards celebrate the individuals, organizations, and groups that enrich our community through their passion, innovation, and commitment to the arts. These awards recognize those whose contributions have made a lasting impact on Tacoma’s arts and cultural community. Presented each October during Tacoma Arts Month, the awards celebrate creative excellence, community leadership, and the contributions that make Tacoma’s cultural life distinct
Community Outreach by an Individual
Recognizes an individual for their outreach, engagement, and involvement in the arts in Tacoma. This award honors community members whose dedication, creativity, and presence have meaningfully shaped the cultural life of our city.
- 2025: Saiyare Refaei, Irina Rasputnis
- 2024: Anida Yoeu Ali, Lourdes Jackson
- 2023: Reid Ozaki and Kristina Batiste
- 2022: Tamiko Nimura
- 2021: Honoring the collective community
- 2019: Aya Hashiguchi Clark and Randy Clark
- 2018: Jackie Casella
- 2017: Michael Haeflinger
- 2016: Christopher Paul Jordan
- 2015: Connie K Walle
- 2014: Jessica Spring
- 2013: David Domkoski
- 2012: Katy Evans
- 2011: Stella Haioulani
- 2010: Oliver Doriss
- 2009: William Kupinse
- 2008: Linda Danforth
- 2007: Lance Kagey and Tom Llewellyn
- 2006: Laura and Matt Eklund
- 2005: Jared Pappas-Kelley and Michael S. Lent
- 2004: Lynn Di Nino
Community Outreach by an Organization
Recognizes an organization for their outreach, engagement, and involvement in the arts in Tacoma. This award celebrates groups whose programming, mission, and community relationships advance access, equity, and artistic expression across Tacoma.
- 2025: Remakery, Mi Centro
- 2024: Black Night Market
- 2023: Southeast Asian Comedy Collective
- 2022: Real Art Tacoma
- 2021: Honoring the collective community
- 2019: Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.)
- 2018: Tacoma Little Theatre
- 2017: Monkeyshines
- 2016: Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
- 2015: Tacoma Public Library
- 2014: Asia Pacific Cultural Center
- 2013: Puget Sound Book Artists
- 2012: The Grand Cinema
- 2011: D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts
- 2010: Fab-5
- 2009: Hilltop Artists
- 2008: King’s Books
- 2007: Victory Music
- 2006: Barefoot Studios
- 2005: Tacoma School of the Arts
- 2004: Tacoma Art Museum & Museum of Glass Education Programs, Arts Impact
Arts Patron
Recognizes a community partner who significantly supports or contributes to the arts in Tacoma. This award honors businesses, institutions, and funders whose investment strengthens the creative ecosystem and makes Tacoma’s arts community more vibrant and sustainable.
- 2025: Tacoma Public Library
- 2024: Mattice Beauty Supply
- 2023: Foster’s Creative
- 2022: Grit City Magazine
- 2021: Honoring the collective community
- 2019: Tacoma Creates Campaign
- 2018: MultiCare Health System
- 2017: Tacoma Housing Authority
- 2016: Metro Parks Tacoma
- 2015: University of Washington Tacoma
- 2014: ArtsFund
- 2013: Erivan and Helga Haub and family
- 2012: Key Bank
- 2011: The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
- 2010: Urban Grace Church
- 2009: City Arts
- 2008: Hotel Murano
- 2007: The Weekly Volcano
- 2006: 6th Avenue Business District
- 2005: Pierce Transit
- 2004: Sound Transit Art Program
25 Years of Tacoma Arts Month
Since 2002, Tacoma Arts Month has brought artists, neighbors, and communities together. This year we celebrate 25 years of creativity, connection, and culture rooted in every corner of Tacoma.
ʔuk’ʷədiitəb ʔuhigʷətəb čəɫ txʷəl tiiɫ ʔa čəɫ ʔal tə swatxʷixʷtxʷəd ʔə tiiɫ puyaləpabš dxʷəsɫaɫlils gʷəl ʔutxʷəlšucidəbs həlgʷəʔ.
We gratefully acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puyallup People where they make their home and speak the Lushootseed language.
© 2022-2026 City of Tacoma
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