NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, announced $210,260 in grant funding was awarded to multiple local organizations by the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Area nonprofit organizations, schools, local governments and individuals across the state were given grants through the commission’s annual grant program to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities.
“I’m thrilled to see these funds go to deserving organizations who work tirelessly serving and entertaining our community,” Todd said. “I look forward to seeing the work they do and thank the dedicated leaders of the Tennessee Arts Commission for supporting their endeavors.”
Local grant recipients include:
- theCO: $31,860
- Jackson Arts Council: $52,730
- Jackson Symphony Association: $104,200
- Jackson Theatre Guild: $6,470
- Ryan Guth: $5,000
- Community Foundation of West Tennessee: $10,000
TheCO provides resources and a workspace for community members to connect. They focus on entrepreneur support, emerging technology and community development.
The Jackson Arts Council serves as an umbrella organization of support and advocacy for local art groups, artists and cultural institutions. They work to strengthen the community through arts and culture.
The Jackson Symphony Association’s orchestra and affiliated ensembles provide entertainment for more than 30,000 people every year, according to their website. Annually, they host a seven concert subscription series and provide children in the community with entertaining, educational school programming.
Ryan Guth is a local poet who has authored two collections of poems, “Home Truths,” and “Body and Soul,” along with several other individual poems, according to his author bio. He also served as an English professor at Jackson State Community College.
The Community Foundation of West Tennessee, officially known as West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, Inc., works to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities they serve through support of philanthropic initiatives. The organization was founded to serve as a catalyst for positive changes in the arts, education, healthcare and other causes in rural West Tennessee.
Tennessee’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $1.4 billion in annual economic activity and strengthens quality of life, economic vitality, tourism and arts learning for people of all ages.
The Tennessee Arts Commission says they anticipate awarding approximately 1,000 grants, totaling up to $12 million, in both rural and urban communities in all 95 counties throughout the next year.
For more information on the Tennessee Arts Commission and their grant opportunities, click here.
State Rep. Chris Todd represents District 73 which includes most of Madison County.
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