McNally Announces Grants for the Arts
Over $111,000 Awarded to Anderson, Monroe and Loudon County Organizations

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen.  Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) along with the Tennessee Arts Commission are proud to announce the grant recipients for the upcoming fiscal year in the fifth senatorial district.

“Preserving the arts are an important aspect of enhancing the quality of life in our community,” said McNally. “The Arts Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the legislature, federal dollars from the National Endowment of the Arts and by Tennesseans who purchase specialty and collegiate license plates.”

Monroe County Organizations receiving awards are Coker Creek School, $4,110; Fort Loudoun Association Inc., $2,950; Monroe Area Council for the Arts, $5,670 and Coker Creek Economic Development Group, Inc., $5,750. The Greenback Public School in Loudon County will be receiving $3,300.

Anderson County Organizations receiving awards are Vital Visions, $2,900; Community Craft Center dba Appalachian Arts Craft Center, $500; TN Mountain Writers, Inc. $3,360; Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, $18,000; Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, $16,650; Oak Ridge Community Playhouse, $32,000 and Oak Ridge Community Art Center, $16,300.

“This state is indeed fortunate to have elected leaders who support the work of the Tennessee Arts Commission in building better communities through the arts,” said Ed Gerace, incoming Chairman of the Tennessee Arts Commission. “We are pleased with the amount of funding available for our grantees, and we are so grateful to Governor Bredesen and the General Assembly for recognizing the importance of the arts to all Tennesseans.”

The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that supports quality arts experiences that add value to the quality of life in Tennessee communities.  Additional information about the commission can be found at www.arts.state.tn.us.

Serving his sixth term in the state Senate, McNally serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee.  He is also the Vice Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and a member of the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee.

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