The support arm of the Tennessee Arts Academy is the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation (TAAF).
Mission
TAAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to aid and assist in the Tennessee Arts Academy's growth and expansion. The Foundation’s Board of Directors shares in the belief that educators trained at the Tennessee Arts Academy are better equipped and motivated to serve their students, significantly raise achievement levels, and effect positive and lasting change in classrooms throughout the state.
Goals
The TAA Foundation actively supports the Academy in numerous hands-on ways. The organization’s operating budget annually exceeds $900,000 in revenue. All funds are used to provide enhancements for Academy programs, scholarships for deserving educators, and recognition opportunities to honor teachers and to advance the cause of arts education. The Foundation's Board of Directors meets regularly to plan and implement numerous fund-raising endeavors, plan advocacy campaigns, search for grant opportunities, and assist the Academy by offering the expertise and advice of its many talented board members.
Major Event Support
The TAA Foundation financially supports four main TAA initiatives that include:
TAA Summer Institute: For nearly four decades, K-12 educators from across the state have convened each summer to develop new core skills, build their confidence, and assemble a comprehensive toolbox of educational resources during TAA’s week-long professional development institute. The summer institute provides a track for every kind of educator working in every major arts discipline, from classroom teachers to superintendents and everyone in between. Participants attend performances, classes and workshop sessions, inspiring artist talks, visual art exhibitions, an awards banquet, and much more. What the Tennessee Arts Academy Summer Institute delivers – a true balance of training, support, and renewal – is not replicated anywhere else in the country.
TAA Virtual Winter Retreat: Many educators attend an exhilarating Academy week but return to their difficult jobs where they feel unsupported and under appreciated by their own administrative staff. TAA’s day-long Virtual Winter Retreat refreshes, sustains, and builds upon lessons from the Summer Institute, helping educators to deepen their understanding and mitigate mid-year burnout.
TAA Arts Rich Schools Program: TAA’s Arts Rich Schools Program provides Tennessee schools with a comprehensive curricular framework for an exemplary total arts program in music, theatre, visual art, media arts, and dance. Beyond the core instructional and personnel guidelines, the program includes advocacy at the state and district level for increased arts funding, a criteria-based awards program that acknowledges and reinforces exemplary schools, and curated activities that help schools grow their arts programs along the “Arts Rich” criteria. This work is a big step toward assisting principals and superintendents to better understand the foundational building blocks of high-quality arts programs.
TAA Visual Art Exhibitions: Annually, TAA inspires thousands of general audiences with four admission-free visual art exhibitions, including curated artwork from a professional artist; a middle and high school “best of the best” student art showcase; a K-5 “star” student art display; and a juried teacher art exhibition, featuring the work of Tennessee art educators. The teacher and student exhibitions are co-sponsored by the Tennessee Art Education Association. Exhibitions are displayed for one month beginning in July and are also a key feature of the Summer Institute, enhanced by a dedicated Visual Art Recognition Day.
Fundraising & Grant Support
The Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation initiates and sponsors a variety of programs and fund-raising events throughout the year. A major Foundation success story is the Tennessee Arts Academy Alumni Association. The Foundation created the Alumni Association in order to keep past TAA program participants involved in the Academy’s ongoing development. The Alumni Association's president serves on the TAAF Board, providing representation and a needed viewpoint from the teachers being served by TAA programs. TAAF also conducts numerous fundraisers including the NYC Broadway Weekend Giveaway and the TAAF Silent and Online Auctions. One of the largest events of the year is the TAA Bravo Banquet and Performance, which the Foundation financially underwrites through its VIP Bravo Society. In December, the Foundation conducts its end of the year Annual Campaign. TAAF honors arts teachers in many ways, including its monthly Teacher Hero recognition program and its annual Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Fundraiser. During the Academy Summer Institute week, TAAF sells sponsorships to help cover the costs for performances, musings and other Academy events. The annual TAA Arts Expo, Vendor Fair and Artist Market was created and is supported by the Foundation. For more information on these programs mentioned above, please click here.
Programs
The Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation initiates and sponsors a variety of programs throughout the year. A major Foundation success story is the Tennessee Arts Academy Alumni Association. The Foundation created the Alumni Association and the Association's president serves on the TAAF Board. TAAF conducts numerous annual fundraisers a year including the NYC Broadway Weekend Giveaway and the TAAF Silent and Online Auctions. One of the largest events of the year is the TAA Bravo Banquet and Performance, which the Foundation financially underwrites by selling sponsorships through its VIP Bravo Society. In December, the Foundation conducts its end of the year Annual Campaign. In May, TAAF is actively involved in the Big Payback, a community-wide program sponsored by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. During the Academy week, TAAF sponsors the TAA Arts Expo, Vendor Fair and Artist Market. For more information on these programs mentioned above, please click here.
Contribution and Financial Information
The Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation accepts both individual and corporate contributions. Tax deductible gifts may be made online by clicking here or sent to:
Tennessee Arts Academy FoundationATTN: Melody Hart
801 2nd Ave N.
Suite 100
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
For complete financial information regarding the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation, please visit the TAAF Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Giving Matters page at:
https://givingmatters.civicore.com/TAAFoundation
Once on the site, click on the Financials link at the top of the page to access the latest TAAF budget, IRS Form 990, IRS Letter of Exemption, State Charitable Solicitation Permit verification, audit, and other financial information.
