Tennessee Arts & Rural Health Initiative Opens for FY27

From Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health

The Tennessee Arts Commission has developed a strong statewide presence for its work in arts and health. The Tennessee Arts & Rural Health Initiative supports arts-based projects designed to improve health and wellness outcomes in rural Tennessee hospitals. For FY27, the Tennessee Arts Commission received $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts and $125,000 in state funds, for a total of $175,000 available for grants disbursement.

During the first year of this initiative in FY26, ten awards were given to hospitals in rural areas across the state’s three grand divisions — four in West Tennessee, three in Middle Tennessee, and three in East Tennessee. Projects included art and photography installations in hospital waiting areas, professionally led art classes for patients, families, and staff, and murals created in indoor and outdoor spaces. For a complete list of FY26 projects, visit the FY26 TN Arts & Rural Health Grant Recipients.

“The Tennessee Arts Commission, in partnership with the Tennessee Hospital Association, has proven this to be an effective initiative supporting rural hospitals and patient outcomes throughout communities in Tennessee,” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission.

For FY27, applications are now open with a maximum grant amount of $15,000. Eligible applicants include nonprofit hospitals, arts organizations, non-arts nonprofits, and government entities that will partner with a rural hospital. A letter of intent is due by September 30, 2026, and the application deadline is October 30, 2026. Projects may begin December 1, 2026 and must conclude by June 1, 2027.

For more information, contact Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health, at kim.johnson@tn.gov or 615-532-9797, or visit the Tennessee Arts & Rural Health Initiative grant page.

This activity is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.