Grants in Tennessee

Overview

The Targeted Arts Development Initiative (TADI) is a program initiated by the Tennessee Arts Commission to support counties that are underrepresented in Commission investments. TADI aims to enhance arts programming, build community capacity, and foster leadership within designated rural and distressed counties across Tennessee. By encouraging applications to existing Commission grant categories, TADI seeks to leverage investments and promote cultural activities that benefit local communities.

Focus Area

TADI focuses on:

• Serving distressed counties identified by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and At-Risk counties designated by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

• Providing technical assistance for capacity building in counties identified by the Commission for the current fiscal year.

Eligibility

• Eligible applicants include government entities, public schools, and nonprofit organizations located within designated distressed and At-Risk counties.

• Applicants must be nonprofit organizations or local government entities. Individual artists are not eligible to apply directly.

• Colleges and universities may apply for activities that serve community needs and involve broad community input, but activities primarily serving students or the academic community are ineligible.

Ineligibility

• Arts organizations receiving revenue directly from a “New Specialty Earmarked Plate” under T.C.A 55-4-215 (a) (1) are ineligible for Commission grant funding.

Preference

• Priority is given to applications that clearly demonstrate how arts and cultural activities will benefit schools and communities within designated counties.

• Organizations in distressed and At-Risk counties are encouraged to apply, emphasizing projects that build upon existing community assets or address local challenges through arts programming.

Contacts

For further information or assistance:

• General inquiries: Evangeline Mee, Traditional Arts Specialist, evangeline.mee@tn.gov

• Program directors:

o Krishna Adams, Director of Visual Arts/Craft/Media/Design: krishna.adams@tn.gov

o Lee Baird, Director of Literary Arts: lee.baird@tn.gov

o Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development: shannon.ford@tn.gov

o Bradley Hanson, Director of Folklife: bradley.a.hanson@tn.gov

o Kim Johnson, Director of Arts Access: kim.johnson@tn.gov

o Jared Morrison, Director of Performing Arts: jared.morrison@tn.gov

Application Details

• Applications open on June 15, 2022, and will close when funds are depleted.

• New applicants must register in the Commission’s online grants system and provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• Legal requirements and additional information can be found on the Commission’s website: Legal Requirements for TADI Grants

• Apply online at: https://tnarts.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new

Address: Tennessee Arts Commission

401 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37243

Phone: 615-741-1701