Statements

Mission

Buchanan Arts provides world-class art education to students of all ages, abilities and income levels in the historic heart of North Nashville. We believe that all lives are improved through contact to art - some dramatically. We also believe that cities with access to meaningful art education experiences are better places to live. Buchanan Arts increases access to high-quality visual art instruction. Buchanan Arts creates positive art experiences for students of all ages, abilities and income levels by offering free after school programs and accessible continuing education classes led by top-notch instructors in professional grade facilities. The confidence and skills students gain through our curriculum will illuminate paths to rewarding careers in a wide array of creative fields while building self confidence. Through rigorous programming with an emphasis on community access and engagement, Buchanan Arts elevates the visual arts in Nashville, Tennessee.

Background

Buchanan Arts was established as a 501c3 nonprofit in May of 2021, with planning initiated by artist/educator John Donovan and artist Alex Lockwood in October of 2020. Early in the planning, Buchanan Arts was envisioned as a safe space for the cultivation of creativity in the heart of North Nashville, serving adult and youth students who might benefit from increased opportunities for learning and self expression through the visual arts. Before the end of the year in 2020, artist/educator Kristi Hargrove joined the team, helping develop a curricular strategy that would offer something new to the existing community education landscape in Nashville. Early in 2021, positions on the Board of Directors were filled by leaders in the Nashville business community and regional creative leaders. In July 2021, housed in a 2500 square foot studio initially designed for the production of ceramic tableware, Buchanan Arts opened its doors to the public by offering adult continuing education classes, weekend workshops and an exhibition of ceramic works at Elephant Gallery located next door.

In December of 2022, after conducting a search for its new executive director, the Buchanan Arts board of directors hired artist/educator Virginia Griswold to lead the organization. Virginia is a sculptor and arts educator with over twenty years of experience. Before joining Buchanan Arts she served as a tenured Professor of Art within the Department of Art + Design at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. In her leadership of Buchanan Arts, Virginia's priority initiatives have included strengthening youth programming, diversifying classes and program offerings, engaging in public awareness, advocacy, and community outreach, and developing a Community Garden program at Buchanan Arts.

Impact

Buchanan Arts has successfully established itself as a leader in creating high-quality visual art education opportunities in Nashville by inspiring individuals to actively engage in creative learning opportunities from our studio on Buchanan Street and within the Metro Nashville Public School system.

Needs

Currently, upgrades to our facility to allow for after school programming are needed in the way of plumbing and ventilation, a utility sink installation ($2000) and kiln ventilation hoods ($6000) are both integral to our moving forward. Payroll funding to secure experienced staff is in demand. Our current salary for adult continuing education instructors is $30/hour and costs us approximately $2000/month for artist/instructors in youth programming. If fully staffed with paid staff, youth programming at Buchanan Arts would require roughly $24,000 in payroll expenses per semester. Fundraising for our after-school offerings is essential, as our tuition/fees for after school classes are free. Costs associated with our facility equipment costs and rent cost us approximately $3800/month. General funds of approximately $1000 are needed on a monthly basis for materials/tools/equipment associated with the delivery of our courses.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Arts Education
Secondary Category:	Education  - Secondary & High Schools
Tertiary Category:	Community Improvement, Capacity Building  - Urban & Community Economic Development

Areas Served

Located on Buchanan Street, Buchanan Arts serves the North Nashville community as much as possible, by providing creative opportunity to students and adults from and adjacent to the neighborhood. While we are happy & excited to offer after school programming to middle and high school students from the greater Nashville area, our mission statement mandates that we make every effort to ensure students from our immediate community have access to our classes and teaching artists.

TN - Davidson