The Upper Cumberland Development District received $18,650 from the Tennessee Arts Commission. As grants go, that is a small one to serve 14 counties. You may be surprised what a difference it makes.
Eleven arts projects were completed in seven counties with over 200 artists involved. Three hundred ninety-eight volunteers provided six thousand six hundred hours of service to conduct these projects. Over nine thousand twenty-four people benefited from these programs. Fifteen thousand five hundred dollars was regranted by the UCDD to the following nonprofits, schools or entities of government.
The Algood Senior Center added 16 new quilt squares to barns and buildings as a part of the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail. The trail includes over 316 quilt patterns in 13 counties.
Art Round Tennessee provided six workshops for 37 participants in Cookeville.
The Fentress County Board of Education conducted a Fine Arts Camp for 118 3rd-8th grade students for five days. Classes included music, art, theater and dance.
The Pickett County Good Neighbors Theatre paid fees for artistic directors. Pickett County, population 5,000 and the smallest county in Tennessee boasted over 1,358 attendees to the plays funded.
Granville Museum’s Scarecrow Festival created fifty new scarecrows using selected school children from Jackson and Smith counties. Two hundred and seven volunteers worked on the project benefitting 6,937 individuals. Granville has become our own Upper Cumberland “Mayberry” attracting some 30,000 visitors annually.
The Jr. Auxiliary of McMinnville hosted a chamber orchestra with their grant which was free to the public at Park Theater.
Macon County Arts Council hosted The Fisk Jubilee Singers for an audience of over 350.
Main Street McMinnville was able to add a large Quilt Square to the downtown area to encourage interest in the history and heritage of the area.
Monterey High School produced “Grease” with their first ABC grant application. More than 500 individuals benefitted as performers or as part of the audience.
Smith County was able to pay local musicians to perform at their William Walton Festival and the Hometown Christmas with their grant.
Warren County Senior Center conducted a Visiting Author Series which attracted several new “Baby Boomers” to the center to hear 3 different authors discuss their writing careers.
About UCDD
The Upper Cumberland Development District provides regional planning and assistance to the 14-county Upper Cumberland region to promote economic growth and community enhancement. Find UCDD on the web at www.ucdd.org and at facebook.com/UCDDconnect.
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