Culture

What We Do at Energize Tacoma

​

At Energize Tacoma, our mission is rooted in culture, art, and science—but our work reaches far beyond what most people expect from organizations focused in those realms. We are a multidisciplinary nonprofit with a clear, ambitious vision: to foster a healthier, more dynamic, and economically vibrant Tacoma, one project, partnership, and place at a time.

​

Our Dual Approach: Community Programming + Civic Advocacy​

​

On one hand, we curate and lead community-centered programming. This includes:

• Cultural celebrations that highlight Tacoma’s diverse communities and local heritage.

• Art installations and public murals that bring color, meaning, and identity to the city.

• Science programming focused on environmental sustainability, climate literacy, pollinator ecosystems, and youth engagement through fairs, exhibits, and pop-ups.

​

On the other hand, we are strong advocates for bold civic initiatives and infrastructure projects that elevate Tacoma as a whole. These may include:

• Revitalizing abandoned and underutilized public spaces for cultural activation—turning them into platforms for art shows, music, science fairs, and local commerce.

• Supporting economic growth and investment downtown to strengthen the city’s cultural core—from encouraging mixed-use developments to championing thoughtful retail strategies.

• Advocating for environmental infrastructure, such as electrified water ferries or clean mobility solutions, which reflect our commitment to science and climate resilience.

​

In short, Energize Tacoma believes that a thriving arts and culture sector cannot exist in a vacuum. It must be supported by a city that is economically healthy, environmentally forward-thinking, and physically vibrant.

​​

What Makes Us Different

​​

Energize Tacoma is not just an arts nonprofit. We are:

• A think tank for place-based innovation

• A community builder for cultural resilience

• A visionary organization advocating for a sustainable, economically vibrant future

• A connector between artists, scientists, planners, and entrepreneurs

​

Why Underutilized Spaces Matter

​

In Tacoma, many public spaces—especially those owned by the city or government—remain underused. We view these areas as untapped canvases and community engines. Whether it’s a concrete plaza, an empty lot, or a dormant storefront, these places have the potential to:

​

• Host temporary or permanent public art displays,

• Serve as science activation zones or green installations,

• Act as community gathering spaces for events, festivals, or educational programming.

​

By transforming these forgotten corners of the city, we not only bring them to life—we give artists, educators, and the public space to breathe, create, and connect.

​

Why Economic Development Is Central to Arts, Culture, and Science

​

It may surprise some to learn that Energize Tacoma is actively engaged in economic development, urban planning conversations, and even infrastructure projects. But our rationale is simple:

• A stronger local economy means more patrons for galleries, more families attending science events, and more visibility for cultural institutions.

• More foot traffic downtown increases the viability of museums, studios, creative storefronts, and artisan shops.

• Better transportation access, such as a passenger ferry or walkable streets, connects more people with our programming and supports environmental goals.

​

We collaborate with developers, city officials, and local businesses to ensure the growth of Tacoma reflects and supports its cultural and creative identity. We advocate for projects like:

• A skatepark in the Dome District that doubles as a public art corridor under the freeway.

• Enhanced retail activations that boost economic resilience and create vibrant, safe streets.

• Pop-up art galleries in vacant storefronts, reanimating the urban fabric while showcasing emerging talent.

​​

All these efforts serve a larger purpose: to create a place-based cultural economy that thrives because Tacoma itself is thriving.

Downtown as Our Front Door — But Not Our Only Door

​

While downtown Tacoma is our front door, and revitalizing it is a strategic priority, Energize Tacoma’s work spans the entire city. From the Eastside to Wapato Park and beyond, we are committed to:

• Equitable access to cultural and scientific programming in all neighborhoods.

• Creating opportunities for community-led placemaking, no matter the ZIP code.

• Advocating for parks, mobility, and green space investments that reach under-resourced areas.

​​

We are proud to push for big ideas, but always through the lens of our core values: culture, art, and science.

​

A Vision That Connects It All

​

Energize Tacoma is not a typical arts organization. We are a platform for transformation, connecting creativity with infrastructure, community with advocacy, and art with urban renewal. Whether it’s proposing a ferry system that supports eco-tourism and sustainability, or reimagining a vacant storefront as an art pop-up and economic catalyst, everything we do links back to one core belief:

​

A city rich in culture, art, and science must also be rich in opportunity, innovation, and public life.

That’s what we’re building—together, block by block, space by space, and idea by idea.

​

​