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TFTA Board Members are all different, but they ALL believe in two things: The arts change lives and the revenue from the Specialty License Plates program helps to fund some of the organizations and programs that make Tennessee so amazing. TFTA's Board of Directors are a diverse group of individuals that govern the organization. This group is comprised of Tennessee natives as well as more recent residents; from small towns to big cities across our great state. Board members serve three-year terms, can be reappointed, and have served on the Tennessee Arts Commission in some capacity. Many are trustees, board members, or executive directors of other nonprofit arts organizations. Some are amateur singers, dancers, painters, or musicians; while others have been professionally trained. Some love ballet while others like buck dancing but at the end of the day, they join together to advocate for the arts in Tennessee.
Board of
Directors.
Director of Development
Germantown Performing Arts Center
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When I was little growing up in Brazil, my parents played music on the stereo every night when my Dad got home from work. At that time, children were to be "seen, not heard", so I amused myself by pretending to be a ballerina in the far end of the living room, popping out from behind a big leather club chair onto my "stage" in front of the stereo. In my heart & my mind, I was beautiful, graceful & strong, dancing with emotion & joy. I had only seen dance on a couple of occasions, but it inspired me and gave me a safe place to be.
Parke Kennedy
President
Served 23 years as Executive Director
Arts & Education Council and the Fellowship of Southern Writers
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At age five, Oklahoma — a ballet — is my first remembered live arts experience. My mother (who served on the community concerts planning committee in my hometown) took my brother, sister and I to this amazing performance. Little did I know that this experience would lead to a fulfilling 20+ year career in the arts!
Susan Robinson
Past President
Theatre Director & Arts Management Consultant
I was in fourth grade at a Catholic School in New York. I was asked by our music teacher to stay after class which sent shivers up my spine as the last thing a student ever wanted to hear was that a Nun wanted to see you after class. She informed me that I had a lovely soprano voice and that I would be joining the church choir to sing in Handel's 'Hallelujah Chorus' for Easter Sunday services. The adult choir members were extremely welcoming and we spent two evenings a week working together for six weeks of rehearsal. This was a truly inspiring experience that revealed to me the beauty and the power of the arts. And I made a Nun happy for the first time in my life.
Bob Willie
Treasurer
Executive Director
Knoxville Museum of Art
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Growing up in a small town, with little access to the arts in any form, I longed to enroll in the Famous Artists Course (you know--draw the pirate or dog or whatever and “A fascinating money-making art career could be yours”). Eventually I found my way to more substantive educational opportunities and discovered the rich buffet of visual and performing arts that’s fortunately available in so many places these days. We need to keep in mind that, not so long ago, many fewer people could directly experience the arts, and work to make sure everyone has access to diverse, high-quality art experiences, no matter where they live.
David Butler
East TN Vice President
Community Volunteer
Tennessee Arts Commission Member
Second Vice President of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Board
As a little girl growing up in East Tennessee, my family and I attended the World’s Fair in Knoxville. I was in awe of the various art and art forms represented from all over the world! That exposure led me to a lifelong love of the arts and appreciation for how important art is in our lives.
Stephanie Conner
Middle TN Vice President
Managing Director of Playhouse on the Square
My mother made sure I was exposed to all forms of art when I was growing up, but the one event that changed my life was when she took me to see the musical Grease. After the show I turned to her and said "I want to do that!" The next week, she enrolled me in the Hurrah Players in Norfolk, VA and I began my career in theatre. That was 38 years ago.
West TN Vice President
Whitney Jo
Executive Director of Bryan Symphony Orchestra in Cookeville, TN
Founder and owner of Lakeside Inn at Dale Hollow Lake
One of my most vivid first art memory would be my mom playing Hall of the Mountain King loudly over the speakers at home and dancing around the house to it as a whole family. Complete with stomping at the loud parts and tiptoeing at the quiet moments.
Rachel Smalling
Secretary
Stax Artist & CEO
Soulsville Foundation
Too young to understand the breadth, depth and power of the arts – a kindergarten recital where I danced as a ‘falling leaf’ and sang on stage also in front of a live audience turned me on! The lights and the applause were secondary. But the music and the movement, ‘it’ took hold of me. I understand now that ‘it’ was – the arts – titillating my creativity.
Deanie Parker
TN Arts Commission Representative
Arts Advocate
I was lucky to grow up in Columbia where we had art & music teachers from the earliest grades & a drama teacher, Mrs. Prince, from 5th grade through high school. In 6th grade she picked me to be Sunny, in the community musical Sunny of Sunnyside (roughly following the plot of Annie), & I was hooked. On a high school trip to NYC we saw The Great White Hope starring James Earl Jones & Jane Alexander which was mesmerizing. Our home was always filled with music more than TV & one of my first jobs in Nashville was handling PR for the Symphony and the Tennessee Performing Arts Foundation. Later, part of my job in the Governor’s Office included serving as liaison with the TAC & the larger arts community. I wish every child and adult could know the power & the joy of performing or enjoying plays or exhibits or ballets or concerts & the life-lessons the arts teach us.
Debby Koch
Board Member
Fundraiser/Event Manager at Kaegi Resources
As a student at the local public elementary school in Mt. Pleasant, TN, I never thought much about having art regularly during class time, participating in an after-school chorus or being part of the big, annual program featuring students of all ages singing and dancing on stage. In hindsight, that was pretty unique. I wasn’t great at any of it but took part and loved it! I still have great appreciation for the two teachers who made those arts programs thrive for kids from all walks of life, and perhaps their influence was the basis for my love of art museums, music of all genres and the stage (from my seat in the audience, of course!)
Anne Locke
Board Member
Producing Director / CEO
Cumberland County Playhouse
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In the fourth grade, I went on my first school trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse to see ANNIE. I instantly fell in love! I remember distinctively feeling that this is where I belong and that I had found my tribe. I feel so honored to now serve as Producing Director of the Playhouse. The theater that changed my life forever!
Bryce McDonald
Board Member
Founder & Executive Director
Artlandia, Inc
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When I was 6 years old one of my dad & mom’s parishioners - a married couple - asked my parents if they would let my two older sisters & I listen to a song in their Cadillac. It was an odd request although my parents agreed. I remember the door of the Cadi as it shut with this strong and solid sound. The married couple sat in the front seat, my sisters and I sat in the back. They turned on classical music (prob a popular song) - really loudly - I remember being stunned by the beauty, richness and depth of classical music. Since then, I’ve been listening to a wide range of music. In my 30’s, I had the privilege of working for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for, in large part, because of this experience.
Virginia
Salazar-Buda
Board Member
Retired City-County Manager
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I have always loved art and my favorite painter growing up was Norman Rockwell. I really became more enamored with paintings when I was in Amsterdam a few years back and was invited to the Van Gogh museum. We were also invited to view the Rembrandt paintings at the Rijksmuseum. Those experiences have really enhanced my enthusiasm for the arts.
Kenneth Weaver
Board Member
Government &
Community Relations.
Government & Community Relations
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When I was growing up, my maternal grandmother and her sister lived with my family. My earliest memories are filled with art experiences created for me by these two wonderful women. They include painting, making rag rugs, costume-making for my dolls, assembling collections of all sorts, producing plays, playing dress up, being read stories and reciting poems. It was an
idyllic childhood. Fueled by their creativity and my imagination these
memories formed the foundation for my life-long belief in the power of the arts.
Molly Pratt
Consultant
Administrative
Owner
Sherrill & Weir, Inc.
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I was always fascinated with music as a child, so learning to play piano and read music, then playing in my elementary and high school band were wonderful experiences. My enjoyment of music has continued via friends in Nashville who are singers and musicians. A steady diet of food for the soul.
Dereama Sherrill
Business & Membership Manager
TN Arts Commission
Executive Director​
Tennessee Arts Commission
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Anne Pope
Tennessee Arts Commission
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