Area nonprofit organizations, schools and local governments have been awarded grants through the Tennessee Arts Commission

Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) along with State Representatives Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon), Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) and Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) announced today that Cannon, DeKalb and Wilson Counties will receive grants totaling $61,587 from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 10 grants were awarded to recipients after being reviewed by citizen advisory panels with expertise in the appropriate arts disciplines and a review by the full 15-member Commission.

“We are pleased to announce these grants for deserving organizations promoting the arts in our communities,” said Pody, Boyd, Lynn and Weaver in a joint statement. “This investment will provide children with a more complete education, stimulate economic development and help attract tourists to our area. These organizations do great work to cultivate the arts and preserve our rich local history and culture. We congratulate them for securing these funds. We also appreciate the work of the Tennessee Arts Commission for administering these grants and continuing to support the arts throughout Tennessee.”

This is the first of a series of grants that will be made throughout FY2021.

Grant awards in Cannon County include:

·        $24,700 to the Arts Center of Cannon County for partnership support

·        $10,800 White Oak Tennessee, Inc. for rural arts project support

Grant awards in DeKalb County include:

·        $8,000 to the City of Smithville for creative placemaking

·        $1,760 to the Tennessee Tech University Appalachian Center for Craft for Arts Build Communities

Grant awards in Wilson County include:

·        $1,000 to Coles Ferry Elementary School for student ticket subsidy

·        $2,399 to the Fiddlers Grove Foundation, Inc. for Arts Build Communities

·        $5,589 for Monroe Mandolin Camp for arts project support

·        $2,300 to Watertown Elementary for student ticket subsidy

·        $2,947 to Wilson County Civic League for Arts Build Communities

·        $2,092 to Wilson County Convention and Visitors Bureau for Arts Build Communities

“Tennessee is fortunate to have elected leaders who understand the positive impact the arts and culture have on Tennesseans and their communities,” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission.  “Arts and culture are vital tools for attraction and retention of business, and help build stronger communities by enhancing the distinctive character of Tennessee places.”

According to Pope, the Commission expects to award approximately 1000 grants during FY2021, totaling up to $7 million dollars, including CARES Act funds. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas. Grant categories include Arts Access, Arts Education, Arts Project Support, Partnership Support, Major Cultural Institutions, and Rural Arts Partnership.

Other grant opportunities are offered throughout the year with rolling deadlines for qualifying organizations including grants for Arts Build Communities and Student Ticket Subsidy. Additional information on grant programs offered by the Commission is available at tnartscommission.org.

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