Strengthening Communities Through the Arts
The Tennessee Arts Commission is partnering with 13 arts and cultural agencies and development districts across the state to offer Arts Build Community (ABC) grants for Fiscal Year 2016.
ABC grants provide support for arts and cultural projects that positively impact communities across Tennessee. The grants are designed to help effect positive change in communities through the arts. Funding can be used for arts and cultural projects that: address social issues; strengthen community engagement; target youth for after-school initiatives; enhance a community’s identity or brand; add value to tourism efforts; and encourage further economic development.
Program guidelines are available online, and the application deadline for projects occurring between August 16, 2015 and June 15, 2016 is July 1, 2015. Benefitting a wide range of grassroots community organizations, grant awards range from $500 to $2000.
“For every $1 invested in the communities, the ABC grant program leveraged another $3 in private and public investments,” said Anne B. Pope, Tennessee Arts Commission Executive Director.
The ABC Grant Program leverages local dollars in communities served. In 2014, $245,000 in ABC grants resulted in $969,000 in additional investments—$426,000 was generated in private support and individual contributions. A total of 901,000 individuals were impacted by the grants, including 140,000 youth. Over 680 business partners were reported, and an estimated 5,715 volunteers contributed 92,492 hours valued at $1.8 million.
Partnering agencies and districts advise prospective ABC grantees, offer grants workshops and conduct competitive grant review meetings for applicants based within their service area. More information and contact information for designated agencies can be found on the Tennessee Arts Commission Community Development webpage.
For more information about applying for a grant, please contact the appropriate designated agency or the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Director of Community Arts Development, Shannon Ford, (615) 532-9796.
