In Our Backyard is a series of traveling community events that brings people together for a conversation about homelessness, its causes, challenges, and possible approaches. Each event features a participatory performance created and performed by individuals experiencing homelessness in Tacoma, as well as a video art installation presenting conversations between housed and homeless residents, filmed in each other’s backyards. The project brings the experience of homelessness to the forefront, with the goal of sparking conversation and public awareness around the challenges of homelessness and the social responsibility of the community at large towards its homeless residents. The project runs from July 25, 2018 through August 16, 2018.

Participate in a Community Event

The public is invited to participate at the following free community events:

• Dome District
  Wednesday, July 25, 2018
  6:30 – 8:30 PM
  Tacoma Rescue Mission cafeteria, 425 South Tacoma Way
• South End
  Saturday, August 4, 2018
  3 – 5 PM
  Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, 7402 East D Street
• West End
  Tuesday, August 7, 2018
  6 – 8 PM
  Tacoma Community College, 6501 South 19th Street
• Eastside
  Sunday, August 12, 2018
  1 – 3 PM
  Portland Avenue Community Center, 3513 Portland Avenue East

• Downtown – culminating event as part of Tacoma’s Third Thursday Art Walk
  Thursday, August 16, 2018
  -5:30 PM performance at Tollefson Plaza, 17th & Pacific Avenue
  -6:30 PM artist talk at Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Avenue
  -9 PM video projection on exterior of Tacoma Art Museum, facing Pacific Avenue

In Our Backyard is funded by the City of Tacoma’s Neighborhood and Community Services Department, in partnership with the Office of Arts and Cultural Vitality.

Photo by Michael Ball