Advocacy Across Tennessee: 2025 Arts Advocacy Day Recap
- Tennesseans for the Arts
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Tennesseans For the Arts held its annual arts advocacy day on March 6th, 2025. This virtual advocacy event once again achieved record levels of engagement, uniting arts advocates from every corner of the state. Bryce McDonald, Tn4Arts President and Executive Director for the Cumberland County Playhouse, expressed his excitement: "This year's participation numbers demonstrate how our virtual format continues to increase engagement among arts advocates throughout Tennessee. Additionally, the content available on our website will further broaden our reach. We are thrilled with our outcomes and inspired by the continued enthusiasm surrounding Arts Advocacy Day. Thank you to everyone who participated!"
Influential leaders featured insightful messages and updates, including Senator Becky Massey, Chair of the Legislative Arts Caucus, with Molly Pratt of Tn4Arts; Kelly Barsdate, Executive Advisor for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies; and Anne Pope, Executive Director of Tennessee Arts Commission. Focusing on the profound impact of the arts in our communities, the importance of advocacy, and the crucial need to partner with Tn4Arts to engage legislators and community members to highlight the importance of the license plate program and arts funding throughout Tennessee.
Arts Organizations with a proven commitment to advocacy and a deep understanding of the significance of the specialty license plate program were highlighted.
Paula Wilkes and the work of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and African American Museum in Chattanooga.
Dana Beal of The Plateau Women's Chorus in Crossville.
Michael Detroit, Executive Producer of Playhouse on the Square in Memphis
Becky Hamm at the Rose Center in their efforts to serve counties affected by Hurricane Helene.
Cristy Dunn of the Johnson County Center for the Arts.
Complete with a demonstration at a county clerk's office showing just how easy it is to purchase a specialty license plate. On average, 80% of Tennessee Arts Commission grants are funded by the sale of specialty license plates. There were multiple watch parties held across the state by varying arts organizations, bringing together even greater numbers of participants to celebrate and advocate for the arts. A special thank goes out to all involved in the AAD25 Watch Parties!
Did you miss the event? Link to Video & Materials
Did you miss this event? Link to Arts Advocacy Day Video
Want to experience it all over again? We don't blame you, it was fantastic! Maybe you missed the event, or even just want to share with your friends and colleagues. Click the link below to watch and share Arts Advocacy Day 2025.
Link to Arts Advocacy Day 2025 Materials
For more information on AAD25 and materials provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies please click below.
Thank you to our Sponsors & Volunteers
There are so many organizations and people across the state of Tennessee that make Arts Advocacy Day possible. From our many Volunteers to the support from the Tennessee Arts Commission, South Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you to all involved!
Tennesseans for the Arts Board of Directors and Staff
Bryce McDonald, President
Parke Kennedy, Past President
Rachel Ford, Secretary
Bob Willie, Treasurer
Susan Robinson, East TN Vice President
Stephanie Conner, Middle TN Vice President
Whitney Jo, West TN Vice President
Lisa Allen
Marcus Cox
Cristy Dunn
Rachel Smalling
Debby Koch
Anne Locke
James McKissic
Pat Mitchell Worley
Virginia Salazar-Buda
Kenneth Weaver
Molly Pratt, Education Consultant
Tennessee Arts Commission
Anne Pope, Executive Director
TAC Commissioners
Steve Bailey, Chair
Jenny Boyd, Vice Chair
Anne Davis, Secretary
Marc Burnett
Sarah Cantrell
Stephanie B. Conner
Nancy Dishner
Donald Fann
Rachel Knox
Jan McNally
Cindy Cameron Ogle Howard Robertson Jason Rudd
Kurtis J. Winstead Learn more about TAC Board and Staff here
Arts Caucus
Senator Becky Duncan Massey – Chairwoman
Lt. Governor Randy McNally
Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton
Senator Raumesh Akbari
Senator Paul Bailey
Senator Janice Bowling
Senator Richard Briggs
Senator Rusty Crowe
Senator Ferrell Haile
Senator Ed Jackson
Senator Jack Johnson
Senator Sara Kyle
Senator Shane Reeves
Senator Steve Southerland
Senator John Stevens
Senator Bo Watson
Senator Ken Yager
Senator Jeff Yarbro
Representative Karen Camper
Representative Elaine Davis
Representative David Hawk
Representative Dan Howell
Representative Kelly Keisling
Representative Jason Powell
Representative Johnny Shaw
Representative Dewayne Thompson
Representative Greg Vital
Representative Mark White
Representative Ryan Williams
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If you have any questions please email info@tn4arts.org