The Tennessee Arts Academy gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following individuals, businesses, and organizations whose contributions have helped make the 2025 TAA Summer Institute possible.
MAJOR FUNDING SUPPORT
Middle Tennessee State University
Country Music Association Foundation
Dettwiller Foundation
Ingram Charities
Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation
Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
National Endowment for the Arts
Smith & Smith
Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation
Tennessee Arts Commission
Tennessee Department of Education
EVENT AND SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
Madeline and David Bridges
Marion and Stephen Coleman
Rena Ellzy
Morel Enoch
Solie Fott
Germantown Performing Arts Center
Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation
James R. Holcomb
Patricia A. Hudson
Ron and Karen Meers
Michael Meise
Flowerree McDonough
MTSU College of Art and Design
Theatrical Rights Worldwide
MAJOR SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT
Bonnaroo Works Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
HCA Healthcare Foundation
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Amy Savell
Tennessee Book Company
Jeanette and Bill Watkins
Talmage Watts
William Rollins Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Wilson Bank & Trust
VIP Bravo Society Sponsors
ArtsEd Tennessee
Germantown Association
HCA Healthcare
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen O. Hewlett
INSBANK
Jeff Myrick
Middle Tennessee State University
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Smith & Smith
Steinway Piano Gallery Nashville
Tennessee Book Company
The Law Office of Michael Meise
The University of Central Arkansas, Department of Music
University of Memphis, College of Communications and Fine Arts
Jeanette and Bill Watkins
Break & Newsletter Sponsors
Concord Theatricals
Dramallama
MusicFirst
SCAD - The University forCreative Careers
Steinway Piano Gallery Nashville
Tennessee Educational Theatre Association
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
The Bellevue Singing Christmas Tree and Jim Holcomb
Theatrical Rights Worldwide
Tressler & Associates, PLLC
Advertisers and Arts Vendor Fair Exhibitors
ArtsEd Tennessee
Belmont University College of Music and Performing Arts
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce for Bethel University
Center for the Arts
Center of Excellencefor the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University
Children's Dental of Columbia
City Auto Sales, LLC
College of Liberal Arts of Middle Tennessee State University
Cumberland County Playhouse
Davis Publications
Frist Art Museum
Germantown Performing Arts Center
GIA Publications
INSBANK
Knoxville Museum of Art
MTSU College of Education
MusicFirst
Nashville Doula Services
Orpheum Theatre Group
Plaza Artist Materials
SCAD - The University for Creative Careers
Statewide Organizing for Community Empowerment
Steinway Piano Gallery Nashville
Tennessee Art Education Association
Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
Tennessee Technological University School of Music
The Bellevue Singing Christmas Tree and Jim Holcomb
The Educators' Cooperative
The University of Central Arkansas, Department of Music
University of Memphis, College of Communications and Fine Arts
Wilson Bank & Trust
Goods and Services
A. Ray Hospitality
Freedom Middle School
Johnson Elementary School
KHS America
Music Theatre International
Chris Parnell
Peripole, Inc.
Plaza Artist Materials
Siegel High School
Smith and Kraus Publishers
Steinway Piano Gallery Nashville
Tennessee Art Education Association
Theatrical Rights Worldwide
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Tennessee Department of Education
The Tennessee Arts Academy is a project of the Tennessee Department of Education and is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.
Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds - Commissioner of Education
Atticus Hensley - Manager of Fine Arts
To learn more about the Tennessee Department of Education, please visit their website at: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/.
Tennessee Arts Commission
The Tennessee Arts Academy is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Anne B. Pope - Executive Director
Chris Sweatt - Director of Arts Education
About The Tennessee Arts Commission......When the Tennessee Arts Commission was created in 1967, it was given a special mandate by the General Assembly to stimulate and encourage the presentation of performing, visual and literary arts throughout the state and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee. Through a variety of programs, the Commission has encouraged excellence in artistic expression through the state's artists and arts organizations. That commitment has continued to expand through the years to ensure that the citizens of Tennessee have access to, and the opportunity to participate in the arts.
To learn more about the Tennessee Arts Commission, please visit their website at: http://www.arts.state.tn.us.
Support the arts by purchasing a Tennessee specialty license plate. The Tennessee Arts Commission receives funds collected through this initiative to benefit arts organizations including the Tennessee Arts Academy. Click here to learn more about the specialty license plate program.
Middle Tennessee State University
1301 E. Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Middle Tennessee State University's (MTSU) rich history dates back over a century to 1911 when the school started as Middle Tennessee State Normal School. Established by the Tennessee General Assembly, the school was created to build strong teaching standards or "norms." The state recognized the growing importance of proper teacher training and preparation. At the opening, there were 125 students enrolled. What began as a small, two-year teacher preparation program evolved into a flourishing university dedicated to serving all areas of the community.
Spreading out over 500 acres of a scenic, park-like atmosphere, MTSU has more than 900 faculty members and over 300 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral concentrations that are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence. The University has been named one of the best colleges in the United States by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News and World Report. The goal of every program is to help students create careers, not just prepare for a job. They are one of the leading institutions supporting the Middle Tennessee workforce with more than 70,000 alumni living in the Nashville region.
What kind of school is MTSU?
With a strong commitment to the arts, MTSU boasts a nationally recognized school of music, and the highest ranked audio engineering program in the US with students, faculty, and staff winning 47 GRAMMYs collectively since 2001. Its award-winning department of art and design features state-of-the-art studios, labs, and galleries, and the theatre programs are some of the most competitive and collaborative programs in the United States.
Where is MTSU located?
Nestled in the heart of Tennessee, MTSU sits in Murfreesboro—a vibrant and fast-growing city just a south of Nashville. It's the the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city opportunity.
How many students attend MTSU?
MTSU is home to approximately 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
To learn more about Middle Tennessee State University please visit the website: www.mtsu.edu
