The City of Tacoma, led by the Tacoma Arts Commission, was one of five groups throughout Washington selected through a competitive application process to participate in a Creative Vitality Index (CVI) study led by the Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) and WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation). The study is intended to explore how the CVI can inform and advance local efforts to define, support and advance the creative economy in communities across the state. Tacoma, along with Bellingham, the Georgetown neighborhood in Seattle, the Palouse region, and Thurston County will receive customized training from WESTAF researchers, access to a complex CVI database, and a $1,000 grant from WSAC to support related publications, training and/or other costs. “We will use the data and mapping technology to create spatial and relational portraits of Tacoma’s creative vitality throughout the city and 15 surrounding business districts,” said Amy McBride, Tacoma’s Arts Administrator. “Through this effort, we hope to identify relationships, opportunities and gaps currently existing within our city.” More information on the CVI is available on the Washington State Arts Commission Web site at http://www.arts.wa.gov/resources/creative-vitality-index.shtml .