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State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), State Representative Timothy Hill (R-Blountville) and State Representative John Holsclaw (R-Elizabethton) have released a list of grant award recipients from the Tennessee Arts Commission for Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) in Carter County. This is the first of a series of grants that will be made throughout FY2025.  

The grants, totaling $118,400 for Carter County, include:

– City of Elizabethton – $3,400

– Roan Mountain Recreation Foundation – $6,000

– The Friends of the Bonnie Kate, Inc. – $11,000

– The Friends of the Bonnie Kate, Inc. – $98,000

“These important investments enhance quality of life, strengthen our economy, boost tourism, and help ensure a well-rounded education for our children in Carter County,” said Crowe. “I appreciate the Tennessee Arts Commission for distributing these grants.” 

“The arts enrich countless lives throughout our communities, and these investments will ensure that continues. We congratulate all of the local grant recipients and look forward to the positive impact these investments will have in Carter County,” said State Rep. John Holsclaw, R-Elizabethton, and State Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville.

“Tennessee is fortunate to have elected leaders who understand the positive impact arts and culture have on Tennesseans and their communities,” 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 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 million dollars in 21 Annual and Rolling Grant categories. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas. These grants do not include additional one-time pandemic-related relief such as TN Nonprofit Arts & Culture Recovery Fund. 

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. 

Tennessee’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $1.4 billion in annual economic activity 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.