Advocating for the Arts in Tennessee Schools

ArtsEd Tennessee

Arts Education Advocacy

ArtsEd Tennessee is a statewide coalition of arts education advocates coming together to ensure that every Tennessee student has access to a comprehensive and sequential arts education (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts).

As a 501c3 nonprofit, our focus is on promoting supportive arts education policies and essential funding at the state level and building advocacy capacity at the local level.

male high school student playing trombone

Vision

Our Purpose

ArtsEd Tennessee advances, promotes, and supports music, theatre, dance, and visual arts education through a robust statewide coalition of arts education advocates, including education, community, business, and parent members.

ArtsEd Tennessee advocates for visual and performing arts education for all students in Tennessee by mobilizing a coalition of statewide advocates.

With a focus on state policy, ArtsEd Tennessee is a champion for supportive policies and essential funding to advance quality, accessible arts education for all students.

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Values

Our Plan

ArtsEd Tennessee supports the following values and pre-conditions for effective arts education:

  • ArtsEd Tennessee believes in working collaboratively with the Tennessee State Legislature, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, and other state and NGO agencies to advance arts education in the state, seeking input and guidance on regulatory, policy, and budgetary issues.

  • ArtsEd Tennessee believes all students shall have access to quality arts instruction (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts) taught during the school day by licensed specialists, highly skilled in the subject area being taught.

  • ArtsEd Tennessee believes arts classes shall be aligned with the TN Fine Arts Content Standards and taught by appropriately licensed teachers.

  • ArtsEd Tennessee believes school districts shall support adequate funding for and access to highly effective teachers and instructional materials, including textbooks, art supplies, musical instruments, scripts, instructional technology, and equipment, both in the classroom and in performance areas.

  • ArtsEd Tennessee believes in the value of partnerships with the arts and culture community for the purpose of enhancing, enriching, and strengthening school-based instruction and providing connections to careers in the arts and professional artists

  • ArtsEd Tennessee believes school districts shall provide appropriate facilities for teaching and performing the arts, including designed classrooms and performance and exhibition spaces for dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.

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Our Cause

Founded in 2017, ArtsEd Tennessee seeks to become a statewide leader in ensuring that every Tennessee student has access to a comprehensive and sequential arts education, provided during the school day as a part of the core curriculum, and instructed by a highly trained, qualified, and licensed art teacher skilled in the subject area they teach.

To become an ArtsEd TN member, click here.

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date about arts education and legislation that impacts arts education in Tennessee

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Want to stay informed about legislative decisions in arts education?

Follow Our Updates.

We will update you regularly during the legislative session, letting you know when key measures are up for a vote.

If you can help with advancing our cause, please join our group today. We would love to hear from you.

Become An Advocate

We are seeking organizations, businesses, and individuals to join us in advocating for arts education for students in Tennessee.

Get to Know Your Elected Officials

Every vote and every voice matters.
Let your representatives know you support the arts in our Tennessee schools.