State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) announced today that two arts grants have been awarded in Cannon County from the Tennessee Arts Commission with a combined total of $36,400. The grants are made possible 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.
“It is very important that we preserve our cultural heritage for future generations,” said Senator Beavers. “I am very pleased this grant has been awarded for this purpose.”
“The arts do have a positive impact on our community and the effects certainly trickle down: the creative thinking skills of students are improved, our local culture is communicated through various mediums, and the community’s beauty is enhanced for our residents and visitors,” said Rep. Pody.
The grants include $7,700 to the Cannon Association of Craft Artists in the category of Rural Art Project Support and $28,700 to the Arts Center of Cannon County in the category of Partnership Support.
The Arts Commission will award approximately 1,000 community grants in both urban and rural areas through the 2016 fiscal year, totaling $5.3 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.
