Each year in March, Tennesseans For the Arts hosts Arts Advocacy Day. Providing members and organizations across the state of Tennessee the opportunity to join with fellow Arts Advocates and to amplify our commitment to the arts in Tennessee, the support of the Specialty License Plate program, and grants provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission. For two decades, Arts Advocacy Day was held in Nashville during The General Assembly's legislative session. Giving Tennesseans the opportunity to show Legislators just how much we value the arts in our community. Since 2021 AAD has been held virtually creating greater attendance and greater impact.
Key take aways... Become a member of Tennesseans for the Arts, Advocate for the Arts by reaching out to your Legislators and invite them to your local Arts & Culture Events, & Support the arts by buying a Specialty License Plate so a portion of those funds can go back to the Arts & Culture organizations here in Tennessee.
Thank you to all who attended!
Arts Advocacy Day Line-Up
Letter from AAD22 Chair - Whitney Jo
Did you miss the event? Link to Video
All the ways YOU can support Tn4Arts
Thank you to our Sponsors and Volunteers
AAD22 Line Up
Speakers
Jan McNally, Chair of TAC Commissioners
Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton
Parke Kennedy, President of TFTA
Lt. Governor Randy McNally
Anne Pope, Executive Director of TAC
Congressman Steve Cohen
Molly Pratt, TFTA Consultant
Senator Becky Duncan Massey, Chairwoman of Arts Caucus
Senator Raumesh Akbari, Arts Caucus
Kelly Barsdate, Chief Program and Planning Officer, NASAA
Whitney Jo, West TN Vice President
Videographer/Editor/Program
Pedro de Silva, Playhouse on the Square
Assistant Videographer
Tempest Thomas, Playhouse on the Square
Letter from AAD22 Chair - Whitney Jo
Dear Arts Advocates,
Arts Advocacy Day 2022 was so inspirational and educational. Learning the history of the Specialty License Plate program and how it truly impacts the arts across the state of Tennessee was the message that everyone needed to hear... how to support the arts annually with your license plate. I am proud of my license plate (The Arts Fish) and I hope that everyone who joined us for Arts Advocacy Day 2022 was inspired to advocate, be proud of your plate, and to see the overall impact that Tennesseans for the Arts has to the health of the arts in Tennessee. As the chair of Arts Advocacy Day 2022, I would like to thank all of our fabulous speakers, Tennesseans for the Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, and most of all...YOU! Your support is everything!! Now get out there and spread the word. Thank you!
Whitney Jo
TFTA Arts Advocacy Day 2022 Chair
Managing Director
Playhouse on the Square
The Circuit Playhouse
Did you miss this event? Link to AAD22 Video
Want to experience it all over again? We don't blame you, it was fantastic! Maybe you missed the event, or even just want to share with your friends and colleagues. Click the link below to watch and share Arts Advocacy Day 2022.
All the ways YOU can support Tennesseans For the Arts
TFTA Members understand there is strength in numbers, and your membership not only helps sustain us, but sends the message to lawmakers the arts have an army in Tennessee.
Buy A SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE or DONATE to our efforts!
We must never forget, revenue from the specialty license plate program accounts for nearly 80% of the funding distributed annually by the Tennessee Arts Commission for grants to support the arts and sustain the work of our arts organizations. Tn4Arts members understand this funding is our lifeblood and protecting it is crucial.
Thank you to our Sponsors & Volunteers
There are so many organizations and people across the state of Tennessee that make Arts Advocacy Day possible. From our many Volunteers to the support from the Tennessee Arts Commission, South Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you to all involved!
Tennesseans for the Arts Board of Directors and Staff
Parke Kennedy, President
Susan Robinson, Past President
Bob Willie, Treasurer
David Butler, East TN Vice President
Stephanie Conner, Middle TN Vice President
Whitney Jo, West TN Vice President
Rachel Smalling, Secretary
Deanie Parker TAC Representative
Debby Koch
Anne Locke
Bryce McDonald
Virginia Salazar-Buda
Kenneth Weaver
Molly Pratt, Consultant
Dereama Sherrill, Business and Membership Manager
Tennessee Arts Commission
Anne Pope, Executive Director
TAC Commissioners
Jan McNally, Chair
Stephanie Conner, Vice Chair
Amy Rhodes, Secretary
Steve Bailey
Jenny Boyd
Marc Burnett
Anne Davis
Nancy Dishner
Michael Dumont
Mary Kilbride
Cindy Cameron Ogle
Deanie Parker
Jason Rudd
Johnnie Wheeler
Kustis Winstead
Arts Caucus
Senator Becky Duncan Massey – Chairwoman
Lt. Governor Randy McNally
Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton
Senator Raumesh Akbari
Senator Paul Bailey
Senator Mike Bell
Senator Janice Bowling
Senator Richard Briggs
Senator Rusty Crowe
Representative Curtis Halford
Representative Patsy Hazlewood
Representative Dan Howell
Senator Ed Jackson
Senator Jack Johnson
Representative Kelly Keisling
Senator Sara Kyle
Senator Jon Lundberg
Representative Jason Powell
Representative Bob Ramsey
Representative Johnny Shaw
Senator Steve Southerland
Senator John Stevens
Senator Art Swann
Senator Bo Watson
Representative Terry Lynn Weaver
Representative Mark White
Representative Sam Whitson
Senator Ken Yager
Senator Jeff Yarbro
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If you have any questions please email info@tn4arts.org