Creative Aging Tennessee IV Now Open
The Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) has built a strong national and statewide presence for its long-term work in creative aging. Since 2017, TAC has provided various initiatives designed to fund and increase arts programming for older adults in communities throughout Tennessee. The latest initiative is Creating Aging Tennessee IV which is funded in part by E. A. Michelson Philanthropy and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and the State of Tennessee. This two-year initiative will connect vital resources to under-resourced communities to provide arts programming to older adults through nonprofit senior centers and governmental entities. Older adults will be able to attend arts classes in their communities especially in rural communities and urban counties with “art deserts” to offer arts programming for older adults living with social isolation, reduced access to trained artists, and in geographically challenged areas to continue to support serving older adults. One of the purposes of this grant is to encourage local senior centers and governmental entities that provide programs to older adults, an opportunity to apply for these small micro-grants for projects that will remove barriers for older adults to increase participation in arts activities. “The relationship between arts participation and healthy aging has been well documented. The Tennessee Arts Commission continues to invest in creative aging programming to encourage every older adult to get involved in high-quality arts programming” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Eligible applicants for this grant include only nonprofit senior centers and governmental entities but they will be able to apply for up to $4,000 in grants funding per year for artist fees and supplies. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis from July 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027 or until funding is depleted. It is required that artists selected to provide the local programming are on TAC’s Creative Aging Artist Roster but applicants will be able to select artists who best fit their needs and the type of programming they would like to offer.
For more information about this Creative Aging Tennessee IV initiative, visit the Creative Aging IV grant guidelines or contact Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health, at kim.johnson@tn.gov or 615-532-9797.
This activity is made possible by a grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.
