BACKGROUND
The Tennessee Arts Academy was founded in the mid-1980’s to promote and enrich the teaching of arts in Tennessee schools. The Academy was funded in full through the Better Schools Programs, an initiative proposed by Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander and passed into law by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1984. In subsequent years, support for the Tennessee Arts Academy was jeopardized as funding was reduced and became less consistent. The Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation was created in the late 1990’s to secure grants and gifts and utilize other means for the purpose of providing additional funding to maintain the high level of professional development instruction that the Academy had become known to offer.
As the Foundation developed, it was called upon to do more than just funding support. The Foundation became actively involved in expanding programming and resources to accommodate year-round professional development opportunities. As the organization grew, and as long-time funding resources diminished, the Academy needed a new direction. After much thought and strategic planning in the early 2020’s, the Tennessee Arts Academy and the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation streamlined operations and became one entity. Today, all budgets, administrative staff, operations, and programming are consolidated under the governance of the TAAF Board of Directors, with all operations and public-facing activities continuing under the name Tennessee Arts Academy (TAA). The newly combined organization moved into expanded offices in downtown Nashville that had spaces for workshops, presentations, and performances, allowing the Academy to better serve its constituency. The original purpose of the Foundation, to provide Academy funding support, was enlarged to include development and oversight of Academy programs. Through this new organizational structure, the Tennessee Arts Academy, now a program of the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation, is better equipped to provide all arts teachers with increased knowledge, confidence, and competence.
PURPOSE
The purpose of Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation is to perpetuate, by means of permanent financial support and whatever other means its Board of Directors may from time to time deem necessary or desirable, the goals and programs of the Tennessee Arts Academy.
The success of the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation Mission is supported by our commitment to:
• Funding Tennessee Arts Academy programs – by providing sufficient funds annually to finance Arts Academy events
• Promoting Tennessee Arts Academy programs – by communicating the value of the Arts Academy to the community, individual donors, corporate donors and State Government leaders
• Championing the Arts Educator – by recognizing their importance in providing a well-rounded education for their students
• Supporting the Tennessee Arts Academy Staff – by providing the Academy Staff with the tools needed to execute the Arts Academy programs
DRIVING PRINCIPLES
Core Values
• Power of the Arts – We believe in the power of the arts to positively impact humanity, develop curiosity and creativity, foster innovation and bring truth, beauty, enjoyment and enlightenment to the world.
• Necessity of Arts Education – We believe that a comprehensive, sequential, and substantive arts education is vital to every student’s academic, social, emotional and intellectual growth and development.
• Importance of Professional Development for Arts Educators - We believe all arts educators deserve the highest quality professional development in order to create, maintain, and improve arts education.
Core Culture
• Belief in the Academy - We believe in our TAA staff, faculty and attendees and in their ability to enhance arts education for all.
• Team - We believe in each other and will operate with a generosity of spirit, respect and camaraderie while enjoying the process of working together.
• Collective Intelligence – We believe that, as a group, we are smarter than any one individual.
• Integrity – We believe that it is critical to conduct the business of the Foundation in an ethical manner with honesty and integrity each and every day.
MAJOR EVENTS
The TAA Foundation supports a range of TAA initiatives that include:
TAA Summer Institute: For four decades, K-12 educators from across the state have convened each summer to develop new core skills, build their confidence, and assemble a comprehensive toolbox of educational resources during TAA’s week-long professional development institute. The Summer Institute provides a track for every kind of educator working in every major arts discipline, from classroom teachers to superintendents and everyone in between. Participants attend performances, classes and workshop sessions, inspiring artist talks, visual art exhibitions, an awards banquet, and much more. What the Tennessee Arts Academy Summer Institute delivers – a true balance of training, support, and renewal – is not replicated anywhere else in the country.
TAA Virtual Winter Retreat: Many educators attend an exhilarating Summer Institute week but return to their difficult jobs where they feel unsupported and under appreciated by their own administrative staff. TAA’s day-long Virtual Winter Retreat refreshes, sustains, and builds upon lessons from the Summer Institute, helping educators to deepen their understanding and mitigate mid-year burnout.
TAA Master Class Series: Outstanding professionals provide a day-long, intensive course on a specialized subject to K-12 arts educators and leaders. TAA hosts three master classes per year, presented in hybrid format (both live and online).
TAA Open House Performance Showcase: Offered a minimum of three times during the school year, this exciting new initiative will feature mini-performances by Tennessee artists and performing arts groups. Each event will conclude with an open house and coffee-and-dessert networking experience, creating meaningful opportunities for artists and educators to connect, collaborate, and explore partnerships for artist residencies and in-school programming. All sessions will be presented live and online.
TAA Visual Art Exhibitions: Annually, TAA inspires thousands of general audiences with four admission-free visual art exhibitions, including curated artwork from a professional artist; a middle and high school “best of the best” student art showcase; a K-5 “star” student art display; and a juried teacher art exhibition, featuring the work of Tennessee art educators. The teacher and student exhibitions are co-sponsored by the Tennessee Art Education Association. Exhibitions are displayed for one month beginning in July and are also a key feature of the Summer Institute, enhanced by a dedicated Visual Art Recognition Day.
TAA Arts Rich Schools Program & Awards (ARSPA): TAA’s Arts Rich Schools Program provides Tennessee schools with a comprehensive curricular framework for an exemplary total arts program in music, theatre, visual art, media arts, and dance. Beyond the core instructional and personnel guidelines, the program includes advocacy at the state and district level for increased arts funding, a criteria-based awards program that acknowledges and reinforces exemplary schools, and curated activities that help schools grow their arts programs along the “Arts Rich” criteria.
Additional Year-Round Resources:
• The TAA Alumni Association engages former TAA attendees in TAA activities and sponsors an annual open house at our TAA Administrative Office and Studio Space. The Alumni Association president serves on the TAAF Board, providing representation and a needed viewpoint from the teachers being served by TAA programs.
• A year-long TAA Teacher Mentorship Program pairs new classroom teachers with experienced educators who provide resources, techniques, and lesson plan assistance.
• TAA Teacher Recognition Programs are designed to uplift educators. The “TAA Talks” podcast and Teacher Hero Awards are two examples.
• The TAA Teacher Resource Center offers community forums, shared lesson plans, and video archives from past live events.
• The TAA Connections Newsletter is emailed weekly to art educators around the state, packed with pertinent news and information regarding the broad field of arts education.
FUNDRAISING PROJECTS
TAAF conducts numerous fundraisers including the NYC Broadway Weekend Giveaway and the TAA Silent and Online Auctions. One of the largest events of the year is the TAA Bravo Banquet and Performance, which the Foundation financially underwrites through its VIP Bravo Society. In December, the Foundation conducts its end of the year Annual Campaign. TAAF honors arts teachers in many ways, including during its annual Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Fundraiser. During the TAA Summer Institute week, TAAF sells sponsorships to help cover the costs for performances, musings and other special events. The annual TAA Arts Expo, Vendor Fair and Artist Market was created and is supported by the Foundation.
For more information on ways to participate in TAA fundraising activities, please click here.
CONTRIBUTION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation accepts both individual and corporate contributions. Tax deductible gifts may be made online by clicking here or sent to:
Tennessee Arts Academy FoundationATTN: Melody Hart
801 2nd Ave N.
Suite 100
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
For complete financial information regarding the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation, please visit the TAAF Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Giving Matters page at:
https://tcg-iris-app.meteorapp.com/organizations/203
Once on the site, click on the Financials link to access the latest TAAF budget, IRS Form 990, IRS Letter of Exemption, State Charitable Solicitation Permit verification, audit, and other financial information.
