Project Announcement & Outcomes
The Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) was awarded $75,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to fund a new statewide initiative, Tennessee Arts & Rural Health. In conjunction with additional state funding, this new initiative seeks to use the arts as a way of adding value in increasing health and wellness outcomes by using arts-based activities and programs involving patients, their families, and staff in rural TN hospitals.
Background
Rural hospitals often lack the resources to effectively use interventions like the arts to create programs that increase patient health and wellness outcomes, build healing environments where staff and patients can thrive, and improve the quality of life through participation in the creative arts. Research has shown that when the arts is used in conjunction with medical care, patient health outcomes increase. The use of the arts in medical settings has proven to provide a therapeutic, low-cost, non-pharmacological alternative to medications. Examples in the research include using music to improve cognition and memory in Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients or using dance to improve physical mobility of Parkinson patients. Even within hospitals, participation in the arts can stimulate therapy and engagement with patients, help families connect with their loved ones, enhance staff hospital relationships, and help to contribute to the patient’s comfort and well-being. The arts have many benefits and is proving to be a vital tool in improving overall health and wellness for many people.
Funding and Examples of Proposed Projects
The Commission seeks to fund 4-6 rural hospitals from $5,000 up to $25,000 each to create or continue arts and health programming involving patients, their families, or staff. A minimum of one award will be made in each of the state’s three grand divisions (i.e., East, Middle, & West). Eligible applicants must have a 501c3 status or operate as a local entity of government. Either the rural hospital or a rural nonprofit arts or non-arts organization can apply but the arts or non-arts organizations must partner with a rural hospital to provide the programming. Projects must involve an arts form or component (i.e., music, dance, visual arts, literary arts, etc.).
Examples of proposed projects that could be implemented in rural hospitals include:
• Artist infused spaces that lead to the creation of murals at the hospital
• Meditation gardens with public art component
• Arts exhibition space for hospital lobbies
• Creation of arts healing spaces by patients and staff
• Professional artist-led art classes held at hospital for in-patients and their families
For this initiative, only hospitals based in rural counties in Tennessee will be considered. The rural designation is defined by the Governor’s Rural Task Force as well as the designation for rural used by the Commission’s Rural Arts Project Support and Small Rural Partnership Support grant programs. See map below.
Timeline of Project:
• Letter of intent extended deadline: November 14, 2025
• Application submission deadline: December 5, 2025
• Project implementation of approved projects: January 1 – June 1, 2026
• Project closeout information and evaluations due: June 15, 2026
How To Apply
All applicants must first 1) send a letter of intent by 11/14/25 and 2) receive confirmation back that the applicant can proceed in filling out the application. Next, the application can be filled out by 1) registering in the online grants system and then 2) filling out the application. Instructions on how to register are located here. After you complete the registration, you will receive a Username and Password. This will allow you access into the online grants system to complete and submit an application by the deadline. Note that applicants will be instructed on how to complete the application after letters of intent are reviewed.
Letters of Intent and/or questions should be emailed to:
Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health, Kim.Johnson@tn.gov; 615-532-9797
An organization is eligible to apply for funding if the organization is legally chartered in Tennessee and operates as a local entity of TN government or has an active IRS 501(c)3 status, can provide a current copy of the organization’s bylaws, Board of Directors, and an active federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Failure to be a local entity of government or provide all nonprofit status documentation will result in the application being disqualified.
Programs must be broadly open to the public and not exclude any individuals from participating. Programs may not give preferential treatment to individuals “on the grounds of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by Federal, Tennessee State constitutional, or statutory law” or engage in legal discriminatory practices or programs.
The Tennessee Arts Commission reserves the right to deny any application, if the proposed activity is outside of the scope or spirit of the agency’s mission, purpose, or this grant program.
Applications are reviewed in-house by Commission staff. Funding notification will take place via email.
A completed FY26 Title VI training and certification must be completed before any grant funds will be disbursed.
All Commission sponsored programs, services and facilities are fully accessible to all Tennessee artists and citizens. No person of on the grounds of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any other classification protected by Federal, Tennessee State constitutional, or statutory law shall be given preferential treatment or excluded from participation in services, programs and employment provided by the Commission and its contracting agencies. If an individual believes they have been subjected to discrimination, they may file a complaint with the Civil Rights Enforcement Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office at Online Complaint Portal; phone: 615.741.5825, email CRED@ag.tn.gov; or by mail to P. O. Box 20207, Nashville, TN 37202.
All Commission sponsored programs, services and facilities should be fully accessible and compliant with American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunication. The ADA extends the requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to all activities of state and local governments and places of public accommodations operated by private entities, including places of public display. Resources to assist in meeting these requirements can be found on the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Accessibility Resources page.
Any grantee shall promptly notify the State in writing of any significant changes in the organization’s structure, leadership, or financial circumstances that could affect services provided under the grant contract resulting from this application.
These projects are supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
