Who we are

Grundy Area Arts council, formed in 1993, supports the arts and arts education in Grundy County, Tennessee and the surrounding plateau area. Since inception, support of the art educators and arts education in area schools has been a primary function. Additionally, the GAAC has provided fiscal agency and collaborative support for projects in arts, arts education, arts and economic development and arts advocacy from Tennessee Arts Commission, the South Cumberland Community Fund, the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly and other funding sources.

GAAC recent efforts include collaboration and fiscal agency for the new Grundy County Tourism Board to host and facilitate the Air-Shift Workshop Program in December 2022 in order to initiate and fund a program in arts inspired, economic development: Creative People Get Business Skills And Business People Get Creative. This community generated work was supported by the Tennessee Arts Commission and The South Cumberland Community Fund.

“Hungry for Community” is the project that was born from the Air-Shift Workshop. “Hungry for Community” will provide part time employment for a program coordinator and stipends for artists to engage with communities and food events and distribution points. The program provided stipends for three musicians to perform for the first Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Farm Olympics in June 2023, and continues to support musicians performing at local farmers market venues and food banks.

GAAC past and ongoing efforts include support for the 2019 creation of a local chapter of Junior Appalachian Musicians. JAM Kids Grundy Area got off the ground in 2020 with pilot projects in two elementary schools. The program paused through the pandemic but will resume in October 2024.

GAAC has been a resource for educators of the area since its founding. Resources are available to area educators for supplies, sheet music, equipment, and visiting artists. Visual arts, performing arts, literary arts in classroom teacher’s curricula are also supported. In the fall of 2023, GAAC provided supplies and equipment for a new education outreach program, “Artists In Schools: Craft Stories” initiated by state organization Tennessee Craft.