State Representatives Richard Montgomery (R- Sevierville) and Joe McCord (R-Maryville) announced yesterday that the state has awarded $50,500 to Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in a Major Cultural Institution Grant.
“I am pleased that our Tennessee Arts Commission has awarded this grant money to Arrowmont,” said Rep. Montgomery. “They are an important member of our arts and crafts community. This grant will help them as they pass on a rich cultural heritage to our next generation of Sevier Countians.”
“Our local communities are known nationwide for our unique arts and crafts, which make a contribution to our area in many ways, including tourism,” added Rep. McCord, who is Chairman of the Tourism Caucus in the General Assembly. “We need to continue to foster the unique talent we have in our area and these grants are one way that we can enhance these efforts.”
“The Tennessee Art’s Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates,” Overbey continued. “These funds enable us to promote the arts so that it will be part of the heritage for future generations of Tennesseans.”
The Tennessee Arts Commission will award over 850 community grants for the 2007 fiscal year, totaling $5.8 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission.
“We are pleased with the amount of funding available to our grantees, and we are so grateful to Governor Bredesen and the General Assembly for recognizing the importance of the arts to all Tennesseans,” said Stephanie Barger Connor, chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Rep. Montgomery serves the 12th House District in Sevier County and Rep. McCord represents portions of Sevier and Blount Counties in the 8th House District. The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences, ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts. Additional information is available at www.arts.state.tn.us.

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