Tennesseans For the Arts is a statewide Arts Advocacy Organization. Each year in March, Tn4Arts hosts Arts Advocacy Day. Providing members and organizations across the state of Tennessee the opportunity to join with fellow Arts Advocates and to amplify our commitment to the arts in Tennessee, the support of the Specialty License Plate program and grants provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission. For over two decades, Arts Advocacy Day was held in Nashville during The General Assembly's legislative session giving Tennesseans the opportunity to show Legislators just how much we value the arts in our communities. Since 2021 AAD has been held virtually creating greater attendance and greater impact.
Thank you to all who attended!
Arts Advocacy Day Line-Up
Key Takeaways
Did you miss the event? Link to Video
AAD23 Line Up
Speakers
Parke Kennedy, President of Tn4Arts
Stephanie Conner, Chair of TAC, Middle TN Vice President Tn4Arts
Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton
Senator Becky Duncan Massey, Chairwoman of Arts Caucus
Senator Raumesh Akbari, Arts Caucus
Patsy Hazelwood, TN State Representative
Scotty Campbell, TN State Representative
Anne Pope, Executive Director of TAC
Molly Pratt, TFTA Education Consultant
Pam Breaux, President and CEO of NASAA
David Butler, East TN Vice President Tn4Arts
Courtney Jernigan, Owner and Creative Director of KGH
Whitney Jo, West TN Vice President Tn4Arts
Videographer/Editor/Program
Pedro de Silva, Playhouse on the Square
Key Takeaways
Numbers Matter. The number of Tn4Arts organizational and individual members show strength to our Legislators through advocacy which leads to the preservation and enhancement of Tennessee Arts Commission funding for arts programs and artists based on the number of specialty license plates sold. For major cultural organizations to grassroots community centers, Tn4Arts acts as a unified voice that supports the Arts for all Tennesseans in all 95 counties. We work to support and expand public funding for the arts. In addition to supporting our states legislative Arts Caucus our primary work is devoted to defending the specialty license plate program which provides 80% of the funds granted to nonprofit organizations by the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Action Items from AAD23
Tn4Arts Members understand there is strength in numbers, and your membership not only helps sustain us, but sends the message to lawmakers the arts have a unified voice here in Tennessee.
Attend our Regional Meetings
Click to Learn More about our in person regional meetings across the state this year.
Buy A SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE or DONATE to our efforts!
We must never forget, revenue from the specialty license plate program accounts for nearly 80% of the funding distributed annually by the Tennessee Arts Commission for grants to support the arts and sustain the work of our arts organizations. Tn4Arts members understand this funding is our lifeblood and protecting it is crucial.
Did you miss this event? Link to AAD23 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 2023.
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
Parke Kennedy, President
Susan Robinson, Past President
Bob Willie, Treasurer
David Butler, East TN Vice President
Stephanie Conner, Middle TN Vice President
Whitney Jo, West TN Vice President
Rachel Smalling, Secretary
Deanie Parker, TAC Representative
Debby Koch
Anne Locke
Bryce McDonald
Virginia Salazar-Buda
Kenneth Weaver
Molly Pratt, Consultant
Dereama Sherrill, Business and Membership Manager
Tennessee Arts Commission
Anne Pope, Executive Director
TAC Commissioners
Stephanie Conner, Chair
Mary Kilbride, Vice Chair
Deanie Parker, Secretary
Steve Bailey
Jenny Boyd
Marc Burnett
Anne Davis
Nancy Dishner
Cindy Cameron Ogle
Amy Rhodes
Jason Rudd
Kurtis Winstead
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 Jon Lundberg
Senator Shane Reeves
Senator Steve Southerland
Senator John Stevens
Senator Art Swann
Senator Bo Watson
Senator Ken Yager
Senator Jeff Yarbro
Representative Scotty Campbell
Representative Karen Camper
Representative David Hawk
Representative Patsy Hazlewood
Representative Dan Howell
Representative Kelly Keisling
Representative Jason Powell
Representative Johnny Shaw
Representative Dewayne Thompson
Representative Mark White
Representative Sam Whitson
Representative Ryan Williams
Follow us on Social to learn all about Tn4Arts
If you have any questions please email info@tn4arts.org