State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) Friday announced that $57,040 has been awarded to the 11 arts organizations from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The funds are distributed through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.
"This is great news," said Senator Tracy. "The arts are very important to our communities, especially in terms of education, economic development and cultural development."
The grants include $13,600 for the Center of the Arts, Inc. and $9,500 for the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra in the category of Partnership Support. The Arts Commission awarded $6,500 to the Kids for the Creative Arts and $3,610 to Generation for Creation in the category of Arts Access. In the Category of Arts Project Support, the Commission awarded $2,740 to Main Street: Murfreesboro / Rutherford Co., $4,390 to the Tennessee Association of Dance, $4,200 to the Children's Museum Corporation of Rutherford County, $2,100 to the Middle Tennessee Choral Society, $4,300 to Ethos Youth Ensembles and $4,700 to the International Folkloric Society Planning Council. In addition, the Center for the Arts will receive $1,400 in the category of Arts Education / Community Learning.
"We are very pleased that these organizations will be receiving these funds," added Sen. Ketron. "We are sure they will put them to good use in promoting the arts."
"Tennessee is fortunate to have elected leaders who appreciate the importance of our vibrant arts and cultural heritage," said Ann Pope, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission.
According to Pope, the Arts Commission will award approximately 1,000 community grants in both urban and rural areas through the 2017 fiscal year, totaling $5.5 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member commission.
