Ann Brown Joins Commission Leadership Team, Hal Partlow Moves into New Role

From Suzanne Lynch, Director of Marketing and Development –

Please join us in congratulating Ann Brown and Hal Partlow who have transitioned into new leadership positions at the Commission.

Ann Talbott Brown has been promoted to Associate Director of Grants. She will provide leadership for all arts grant programs and oversee all internal agency functions related to grants.

As Director of Arts Education, Ann managed the USDOE-funded Arts360 arts integration program, the statewide arts and arts education conferences, Teaching Artist Roster, and several Arts Education grant programs including Student Ticket Subsidy, which provides grant funds to 400+ public schools annually.

Before joining the Commission in 2010, Ann worked with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Willamette Valley Music Festival, Southern Illinois Music Festival, and university arts programs in Oregon and Illinois. Before that, she was a licensed K-12 music educator and oboe instructor.

“I am excited to move into this new leadership position,” said Ann. “While I will miss working directly in arts education, I am looking forward to tackling broader agency-wide initiatives and working with my colleagues across program areas to strengthen the arts in Tennessee communities through grantmaking.”

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in Arts Administration with a certification in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon.

Hal Partlow has been promoted to Associate Director of Operations after serving as Associate Director of Grants since 2013.

Hal is responsible for the supervision of the Tennessee Arts Commission’s budget, procurement, accounting, human resources, and day-to-day operations. He oversees all internal non-grant functions, assuring that all human and financial resources are moving towards agency goals.

As Associate Director of Grants, Hal oversaw the upgrade of the online grants system, managed the biennial Governor’s Arts Awards, and directed the annual grants panels. Hal joined the Commission in 2007 as the Director of Performing Arts.

“I am looking forward to continuing to serve Tennessee in this new position,” said Hal. “My goals include continuing to lead the agency with efficiency, agility, and delivering the best services at the lowest possible cost.”

Hal is a veteran of the United States Army and received his B.A. from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. In addition, he has completed M.A. course work at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. Prior to joining the Commission, Hal worked twenty years as a professional actor and stage director.