Statements
Mission
The mission of the Arts Center of Cannon County is to foster and develop an environment in our community for discovering and preserving our traditions, encouraging creative expression, providing educational experiences, and enhancing the appreciation of artistic excellence.
Background
Founded in 1979 in the basement of the old high school gym, the organization has grown exponentially in the following years to an award winning regional arts center which operates out of a facility it owns. Annually - more than 100 community theater performances, 6 weeks of Summer Youth Conservatory per year, 20 nights of concerts per season, a visual arts gallery with 6 shows per year, an exhibition hall with another 5 shows per year, a craft shop representing 40+ area artists, a large classroom, an outdoor craft show with 75+ craft artists, and a commercial kitchen with tenants making fermented foods (kefir and tempeh) for sale to regional restaurants.
Impact
2017 accomplishments:
1. Expanded Summer Conservatory student base by securing scholarship funding
2. Expanded visual arts programming: education, openings, retailing
3. Collaborated with MTSU on programming and internships.
4. Working with TVA/MTEMC, completed transition to LED bulbs throughout facility.
5. Transitioned in new Chief Operating Officer
2018 goals/accomplishments:
1. Completed fundraising to begin construction of classroom addition. Construction initiated Sept 2018.
2. Installed NEST thermostats to conserve utilities in Theater, Hall, and Gallery.
3. Paid off mortgage on the building.
4. Further reduce Board headcount and refocus their objectives.
5. Continue work to secure $900,000 needed to meet $1 million endowment goal.
2019 Goals/Accomplishments:
1. Completed classroom project with no debt. This classroom was built with donations.
2. Reduced board and are refocusing their objectives.
3. Continue to work on building our endowment.
4. Continue to work with MTSU on building a relationship. We have had 1 intern this year and they are a donor on our classroom. They will have signage on the outside of the building.
5. Continue to grow our summer camps and create classes for youth.
6. Grow our relationship with our community by going to library, Head Start, schools and preforming, reading, etc.
7. Enhance our volunteer base. Enhance our director base.
2021 Goals:
1. Continue to work on building our endowment.
2. Plan and implement the 2022 season.
3. Continue to work on our relationship with the local schools. A theater teacher is being placed in the local middle school.
4. Continue to grow our volunteer base.
Needs
1. Developing a long range plan for infrastructure and programming. We are working on both issues.
2. Implementing our endowment campaign effectively and broadly. We have a $1 million goal. The timing of its success impacts our programming flexibility.
3. Rebuilding our volunteer base.
4. Evolving our visual arts work from a mostly retail setting to a more hands on educational experience in addition to expanding our retailing efforts.
CEO Statement
I have been involved as volunteer or Board Member at the Arts Center since 1999 and employed here since 2012. The staff are all versatile and dedicated. They all do much more than asked and go way beyond their job descriptions. We have a large volunteer base that sustains the facility and programming. We have 5 different business models coexisting under 1 very large roof. All staff support all functions and they do it with a smile. We are located in a town of 2,500 within a county of just 14,000. After 10 years of the basement community Playhouse, the Board took a risk borrowing funds to build our theater. 3 expansions later we have matured into a model for rural (and not so rural) arts organizations. Our cast and directors are drawn from the surrounding counties. Some were raised in our building and have gone onto teaching theater in area high schools. Our sets and props are loaned to schools and area theaters. Our school matinee program often provides a child's first exposure to live theater. Regional and local artists utilize our gallery and craft shop as a type of menu to whet the appetite of shoppers. Our goal is to bring attention to their work and then send the shoppers directly to the artists' studios. In 2013, the County Chamber of Commerce has moved into our facility. Also in 2013, the County built its farmers market on our grounds. In 2012, a kayak/canoe launch was built at the edge of parking lot.We are a not-for-profit arts venue that has become a civic center.
Board Chair Statement
It is often said that rural America is the foundation of everything good. Being a resident of Woodbury/Cannon County for my entire life has instilled in me a deep appreciation for this value system. Our physical location is a true blessing. We live where we know and support our neighbors. We live where the countless hours of volunteer service is not just needed to exist, it's noticed and appreciated by many. Since its inception, my family has found the presence of The Arts Center to be a valuable asset to the communities existence. Through it's promotion of various cultural events; art exhibits, concerts, education opportunities, facilitating community gatherings, etc., The Arts Center of Cannon County has become the hub to our wheel. Unfortunately, for too long, we have worked to simply survive day to day, at best struggling to 'feed the monster'. However, we have found a renewed purpose. In the past couple of years a strong focus has been placed on meeting the financial needs of running such an organization. Not just the immediate needs, but the need of retiring debt so that even more focus could be placed on continuing our efforts to provide the community with the things that make it better. Beth McCrary has provided her skill set and leadership in meeting this challenge. But we're not through. Our future will require the funds that automatically care for the physical plant while the income from events and programs fund the operation. As board President, I understand and support this need. I feel that our full board does as well. We are a unified group that desires for The Arts Center to thrive, securing the things we have come to enjoy for the past 25 years for our children and grandchildren. The Arts Center of Cannon County belongs to all of us. It was created with the intention to share its worth with everyone. Those who do take advantage of what The Arts Center provides are better because of it.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Performing Arts Centers |
| Secondary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Arts Services |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools |
Areas Served
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - DeKalb |
| TN - Putnam |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Smith |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Warren |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
