State officials have released a list of grant award recipients from the Tennessee Arts Commission for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) in District 62. This is the first of a series of grants that will be made throughout FY2026.
These include: Tennessee Tourism Investment Project, Inc. located here in Lynchburg, The Bedford County Arts Council, Carriage House Players, Tennessee Old-time Music and Dance Association, and the Town of Wartrace.
According to Director of South Center Tennessee Tourism Ryan French the local will be used to continued the murals projects that began in Lynchburg and Fayetteville this year.
“I am very pleased to announce these annual grants that support Tennessee’s communities and schools through the arts” said Representative Pat Marsh. “These investments enhance quality of life, strengthen our economy, boost tourism, and help ensure a well-rounded education for our children across the state, including in Bedford and Moore County.
The Commission anticipates awarding approximately 1,000 grants in both rural and urban communities in all 95 counties of the state during the year, totaling up to $12.3 million dollars in 18 Annual and Rolling Grant categories. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas.
“Tennessee is fortunate to be a state where few can rival the breadth and depth of its arts and culture. Tennessee boasts a unique array of artistic and cultural assets,” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director for the Tennessee Arts Commission. “Arts and culture are vital tools for attracting and retaining businesses and help build stronger communities by enhancing the distinctive character of Tennessee places.”
The Commission’s allocations process involves a review by citizen advisory panels with expertise in various arts disciplines and a review by the full Commission. Other grant opportunities are offered throughout the year for qualifying organizations including grants for Arts Build Communities and Student Ticket Subsidy. Additional information on grant programs offered by the Commission is available at tnartscommission.org.
Tennessee’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $1.4 billion in annual economic activity, supports over 23,400 full-time equivalent jobs, and strengthens quality of life, economic vitality, tourism, and arts learning for people of all ages. The Tennessee Arts Commission is the state arts agency whose mission is to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities. •
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