The Tacoma Arts Commission recently announced that its Anchor Fund program has provided $265,000 to 12 Tacoma arts organizations.

The 2009-2010 recipients are:

— Acoustic Sound;

— Children’s Museum of Tacoma;

— Grand Cinema;

— Hilltop Artists in Residence;

— Museum of Glass;

— Northwest Sinfonietta;

— Tacoma Art Museum;

— Tacoma Musical Playhouse;

— Tacoma Opera;

— Tacoma Philharmonic;

— Tacoma Symphony Orchestra;

— Tacoma Youth Symphony Association

The organizations received awards ranging from $12,000 to $28,500.

“From visual and performing arts, to training our future artists and reaching out to all of our citizens, our Anchor Fund arts groups truly enrich people’s lives and contribute to a vibrant Tacoma,” said Sarah Idstrom, vice-chair of the Tacoma Arts Commission.

Grant recipients serve Tacoma’s community through regularly scheduled performances, exhibits and events, as well as through school and outreach programs.

The Tacoma Arts Commission established the biennial Anchor Fund program in 1995 to provide financial support to major local not-for-profit arts organizations that improve the quality of life for Tacoma residents. Anchor Fund recipients offer work of exceptionally high quality and exhibit a solid history of organizational and financial stability. Funding supports artistic fees and production expenses to keep arts activities affordable and accessible.

For a complete listing of funding programs, publicly accessible funded projects, and information about the Tacoma Arts Commission, visit http://www.tacomaculture.org .