“Fifteen families that may not otherwise have had access to the arts available in Tacoma will be able to enjoy cultural activities in 2000.Each holiday season, the Police Department gives several families around town gift baskets of food, clothes, toys and other holiday treats. This year, the Arts Commission is adding to the holiday offerings by adding something extra to the gift baskets.The Commission – as part of its effort to make sure every Tacoman has access to the arts – secured dozens of donated tickets and other arts-related gifts for the baskets, from craft projects to opera tickets. They include:- Family pottery classes at the Art Center at Manitou.- Tickets for two families of four to attend performances at the Broadway Center for the Performing Art, including an upcoming West African drum performance.- Family admission packs to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma.- Fourteen admissions for three families to visit the Tacoma Art Museum.- Two admissions to the Washington State History Museum’s Sunrise to Paradise exhibit.- Passes, T-shirts and CDs from the Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestras.The Arts Commission is also sponsoring a community event as part of this year’s First Night activities.”