State Senators Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) and Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) along with Representatives Charlie Baum (R-Murfreesboro), Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro), Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro) and Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) today announced Rutherford County will receive grants totaling $105,194 from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 15 grants to Rutherford County recipients were awarded after being reviewed by citizen advisory panels with expertise in the appropriate arts disciplines and a review by the full 15-member Commission.

In a joint statement Senators White and Reeves and Representatives Baum, Rudd, Terry and Sparks said:

“We are pleased to announce these grants which enrich the culture and community of Rutherford County through the arts. Congratulations to the deserving organizations for securing these grants. This investment offers a great opportunity for the whole community and will provide children with a more complete education, stimulate economic development and help attract tourists to our area. We are grateful to the grant recipients for their commitment to developing new and creative ways for our community to experience arts and culture.”

“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 1,000 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.