TOP PHOTO: Senator Ken Yager is with Missy Tackett, Executive Director of the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, at last week’s annual chamber event at the Ball Farm Event Center. (PHOTO COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced Tuesday that Senate District 12 will receive grants totaling $56,150 from the Tennessee Arts Commission. This is the first of a series of grants that will be made throughout this fiscal year.  Two of those grants are headed to Campbell County to the Culture Coalition and Postmark LaFollette.

These include:
⦁ Campbell Culture Coalition – $12,600
⦁ Fentress County Government – $3,840
⦁ Friends of Cordell Hull – $3,900
⦁ Historic Rugby Inc. – $5,770
⦁ Postmark LaFollette – $6,820
⦁ Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation – $11,340
⦁ Roane Choral Society – $11,880
 
“I am pleased to announce these grants for deserving organizations promoting the arts in our communities,” said Yager. “These organizations do great work to cultivate the arts and preserve our rich local history and culture. I congratulate them for securing these funds. I also appreciate the work of the Tennessee Arts Commission for administering these grants and continuing to support the arts throughout Tennessee.”
 
“Tennessee is fortunate to have elected leaders who understand the positive impact arts and culture have on Tennesseans and their communities,” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director for the Tennessee Arts Commission. “Arts and culture are vital tools for attracting and retaining businesses and help build stronger communities by enhancing the distinctive character of Tennessee places.” 
 
According to Pope, the Commission expects to award approximately 1,000 annual and rolling grants during FY2023, totaling up to $11.7 million dollars. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas. The $11.7M includes recurring state or federal funding only. These grants do not include additional one-time pandemic-related relief such as National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), NEA American Rescue Plan (ARP), TN Nonprofit Arts & Culture Recovery Fund, or state COVID supplemental funding. Grant categories include Arts Access, Arts Education, Arts Project Support, Creative Placemaking, Partnership Support, Major Cultural Institutions, and Rural Arts Partnership. 
 
The Commission’s allocations process involves a review by citizen advisory panels with expertise in appropriate arts disciplines and a review by the full 15-member Commission. 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 HERE. 
 
Tennessee’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $1.17 billion in annual economic activity through quality of life, economic vitality, tourism and a more balanced education for our children. The Tennessee Arts Commission is the state arts agency whose mission is to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/15/2022-6AM) 

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