Arts and Art Education Funds
Anonymous B Fund to Benefit the Nashville Symphony Association
Established 1998Arts Build Communities
Established 1996In partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee facilitates two grant programs: Arts Build Communities and Student Ticket Subsidy. The objective of Arts Build Communities (ABC) is to strengthen communities by funding projects that nurture artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Those eligible to apply for ABC are tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public or private educational institutions (K through college), school boards, or governmental agencies.
Chet Atkins Music Education Fund
Established 1997Chet Atkins traded an old pistol for a guitar at the age of nine and set in motion a career that would bring joy and meaning as it touched people the world over. The Chet Atkins Music Education Fund is dedicated to ensuring that there are always funds available to encourage promising students as they pursue musical training. The Fund supports programs that provide the earliest education for youngsters in Middle Tennessee and added enrichment for those wishing to pursue music as a career.
Ballet Permanent Endowment Fund
Established 2000Since becoming a professional company in 1986, Nashville Ballet has flourished, earning the respect of Nashville audiences and reviewers alike by making classical and contemporary ballet accessible to both new and traditional audiences. The ballet entertains, educates and inspires more than 50,000 adults and children annually, often performing to sold-out houses. The Nashville Ballet has earned its rightful place in the artistic life of Middle Tennessee and is valued as an indispensable asset to the Nashville community and surrounding areas.
Belmont University Commercial Music Scholarship Fund
Established 1998The Commercial Music Department of the School of Music at Belmont University educates and trains people who work to perform, compose and arrange, produce and sell Nashville’s signature product. This Fund was established by the LifeWorks Foundation to endow scholarships for Belmont University students working toward commercial music degrees.
Ann and Monroe Carell, Jr. Family Fund to Benefit the Nashville Symphony Association’s Children’s Education Program
Established 2000Through this gift and many others, Ann and Monroe Carell demonstrate their commitment to enriching the lives of children. This Fund to support the Nashville Symphony Association’s Children’s Education Program will help ensure that generations of children will have the opportunity to share in the symphonic experience.
Circle Players, Inc. Endowment Fund
Established 1995Circle Players has provided a unique window on the human condition by way of insightful, talent-filled theatrical performances throughout its long history. Like every other arts organization serving Nashville, early in that history Circle Players had to work hard to pay its bills. Today, its financial status is more secure. This Endowment Fund is evidence both of its fiscal responsibility and the broad and deep support bestowed upon it by the community.
Ida F. Cooney Fund for the Arts
Established 1991Friends created this Fund in honor of Ida F. Cooney. Ida’s belief in and support of the artistic community — both personally and professionally — never faltered. As the first executive director of The HCA Foundation (now The Frist Foundation), Ida played a key role in building and improving the arts. As a tribute to her vision, grants are awarded to provide a source of much-needed funding to ensure the future she worked so hard to make possible.
Annette and Irwin B. Eskind Fund to Benefit the Nashville Symphony Association
Established 1997Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Fund to Benefit the Nashville Symphony Association
Established 1997What would Music City be without a symphony? Not too long ago, Nashville was called upon to answer that question. Out of its answer came a newfound appreciation of and respect for the role of a symphony in this community. As a direct result, a new push to endow the symphony’s future began. The above two Funds are part of the effort to make sure the music stays in Music City, by endowing the Nashville Symphony.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers Fund
Established 2007The Fisk Jubilee Singers are young men and women, vocal artists and students of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee who sing and travel worldwide. The original Jubilee Singers began singing 'slave songs' in 1871, breaking down racial barriers and preserving this unique American musical tradition known today as Negro spirituals. For more information on the Fisk Jubilee Singers and their upcoming performances and tours, please visit www.fiskjubileesingers.org.
Cathryn King Foote Designated Fund
Established 1993Siddy Foote was blessed with a wide circle of friends who created this Fund to provide financial aid so that underprivileged children wishing to develop their interest and talent in art might take advantage of Cheekwood’s unique opportunities for children.
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Cheekwood
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Nashville Ballet
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Nashville Institute for the Arts
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Nashville Opera Association
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Nashville Symphony Association
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Patricia C. and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Fund for Tennessee Repertory Theatre
Established 1995A strong future for these seven organizations is the goal of Patricia and Tommy Frist. As a result, they created Funds within The Community Foundation to endow their support for these nonprofits and the work they do. In return, we as a community will benefit as these Funds and these organizations prosper.
Coleman Billings Harwell Endowment Fund to Benefit the Art Department of Ensworth School
Established 1995C.B. Harwell, a former student at Ensworth School, was born in 1973 and graduated from the College of Charleston, majoring in Fine Arts. In 1994, he moved to Arizona where he was building his own house and increasing his portfolio in preparation for earning a graduate degree, prior to his untimely death. This Fund, created in his memory by friends and family, will support the art department of Ensworth School.
Coleman Billings Harwell Endowment for Visiting Visual Artists at Ensworth School
Established 1996Children learn by example, and, thanks to Coleman Harwell II, the children of Ensworth School will always have examples to follow. Created in memory of his son, C.B. Harwell, who derived much of the inspiration for his own budding artistic career from the talented faculty of Ensworth, this Fund brings visiting visual artists to the school to complement the resources already present there.
The Ann Gadsey Horan Fund for Centennial Arts Center
Established 2003Ann Gadsey Horan was a lifetime supporter of the arts, a passion that began with her study of art at Peabody College and culminated in 30 years of service as Director of the Centennial Arts Center. To honor her lifetime advocacy of all things artistic, her daughter and son-in-law, Jill and John Landess, created this Fund to purchase art supplies and equipment and to provide support for a guest artist series at the Centennial Arts Center.
Martha and Bronson Ingram Arts Support Fund
Established 1995Martha Rivers Ingram Fund to Benefit Children’s Educational Programs at TPAC
Established 2005This Fund honors Martha Ingram, who led the effort to build the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and her vision that all children should have the opportunity to experience the transforming power of live performance. Educators and underserved students attend TPAC Education performances, supported by ticket subsidies, transportation assistance, and resources that encourage arts-integrated instruction in the classroom.
Ingram Fund to Benefit The Nashville Symphony Association
Established 1993Liff Designated Fund for The Nashville Symphony
Established 1994Judy and Noah Liff were early and earnest supporters of The Community Foundation concept. Long committed to philanthropy, they had seen and studied the benefits of similar foundations across the country. This Fund combines their support for the symphony with their belief in The Foundation.
Florence E. and Donald M. Maillie Fund to Endow the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Established 1996The Fund was established by Donald Maillie in remembrance of his wife, Florence, to return a portion of the wealth they were fortunate enough to establish to those charitable causes in which they participated or supported over the years. Since Mr. Maillie’s death, his children have asked that this become a Fund to endow the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and The Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
V.H. Mason Fund to Benefit the City/Cultural Arts Center
Established 1996V.H. (Pete) Mason died in 1995 at his home in LaVergne, Tennessee. A Rutherford County native, he was a graduate of Smyrna High School and spent most of his 70 years as a farmer. Created after Pete’s death by Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., this Fund is designated to benefit the City/Cultural Arts Center in Murfreesboro.
Nashville Ballet Scholarship Fund
Established 1994The School of Nashville Ballet is committed to training the dancers of tomorrow, like Kayla Rowser. Kayla, of Georgia, came to Nashville for the school’s intensive summer program and to pursue her dream of a professional career in ballet. “Dance is an emotional outlet for me. I love the artistry and positive energy of dance,” said Rowser. The progressive curriculum taught at the school supports both the serious student who aspires to achieve professional goals, as well as the student who elects to dance for enjoyment, recreation and exercise. Exclusively affiliated with Nashville Ballet, the school maintains an atmosphere of professionalism and allows students to dwell among professional dancers, choreographers, costumers, and renowned teachers.
Nashville Beta Sigma Phi Torch Fund
Established 1998Throughout the art and literature of many cultures, the torch serves as a beacon for learning and a symbol of wisdom. It is also the emblem of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority that has created this Fund to lift up gifted young women seeking to express themselves through the performing and fine arts. Support may be configured according to need and may come through the provision of music lessons, tutoring, musical instruments, art supplies, dance lessons, etc.
Nashville Children’s Theatre Endowment Fund
Established 1996Each year, more than 70,000 children experience Nashville Children’s Theatre’s productions and outreach programs. Founded in 1931, the company is the oldest continuing children’s theater in the United States and the oldest professional theater in Nashville. This endowment helps ensure that children’s theater will be here for many generations.
Nashville Symphony Endowment Fund
Established 1997Since its founding almost 62 years ago, the Nashville Symphony has established itself as one of the country’s leading symphony orchestras, reaching more than 360,000 people in and around Middle Tennessee through more than 200 annual performances. The Nashville Symphony’s music education and community outreach programs together serve more than 80,000 children annually, at no charge to the schools or to the students. The Nashville Symphony’s growing national and international reputation has led to the building of a new world-class concert hall, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened in September of 2006.
Nashville Symphony Orchestra Permanent Endowment Fund
Established 2003Clay Neiderheiser Fund to Benefit Fairview High School Band
Established 2001Fairview resident Carla Lankford set up a permanent Fund at The Community Foundation to honor her late son, Clay Neiderheiser, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2001, at age 21. Clay had a love of all things musical and participated in both the concert and marching bands at Fairview High School until his graduation in 1998. The Fund provides annual funding to purchase at least one band instrument each year for Clay’s alma mater. Thus, Clay’s memory and love of music are shared with future generations of music students at Fairview High School.
Eloise Pitts O’More Scholarship Fund
Established 2001Trained at both Parsons and in Europe, distinguished interior designer and artist, Eloise O’More, at age 64, fulfilled her lifelong dream in 1970 by opening O’More College of Design in her home in Franklin, Tennessee. Today it is nationally known for its accredited bachelor’s degree programs in interior design, fashion design and merchandising, and graphic design and advertising. Shortly before her death in 2002, the O’More College student chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers and International Interior Design Association established this Scholarship Fund in Mrs. O’More’s honor.
Opera Permanent Endowment Fund
Established 2000In 1997, Nashville Opera merged with the Tennessee Opera Theatre and the Nashville Opera Guild, becoming the region’s only opera organization, the Nashville Opera Association. In a typical season, the opera produces four main-stage performances and one school tour, holds a residency for young professional singers, and conducts numerous community outreach programs.
Mary Cortner Ragland Designated Fund for the Nashville Opera Association
Established 2000More than 25 years ago, Mary Ragland almost single-handedly brought opera to our community through her extraordinary efforts as founder and first president of Nashville Opera. With degrees from the Newcomb and Juilliard Schools of Music, a professional career as a soprano, and membership on both the Board and National Council of the Metropolitan Opera, Mary’s dream is being realized as the Nashville Opera Association is one of the fastest-growing opera companies in the United States. Today, they offer four professional mainstage productions and tour a fully staged children’s opera to area schools each year. Mary, who died in 1999, left a bequest from her estate to set up this Fund, which will ensure that her vision of opera in Music City will be sustained.
William N. Rollins Fund for the Arts
Established 2002Bill Rollins’ passion was the breathtaking and intricate collages he created from origami paper. A Nashville native, Bill graduated from University School, attended college in Massachusetts, and then lived in Boston working in art galleries, staging art shows and painting. After returning to Nashville to further pursue his artistic dream, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He worked with his family and his advisors to create a legacy for himself and a continuing source of funding for the arts he loved.
Ernest and Selma Rosenblum Fund for the Performing Arts
Established 2008Dr. Marvin J. Rosenblum established this Fund in honor of his parents, Ernest and Selma Rosenblum, who always valued music and the performing arts. Born in Chausy, Russia, in the late 1800s, Ernest and Selma immigrated to Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1900s. They had eight children together and often filled their house with music, song and dance. Ernest was an accomplished violinist and Selma played the piano. Ernest and Selma supported music and the performing arts and considered them to be a vital part of life and of every person's education. This Fund will carry on their tradition of support for nonprofits providing operatic and symphonic performances of the highest quality so that others may be enriched as they were.
The Craig Spain Fund for the Performing Arts
Established 1996Artist and scenic designer Craig Spain was a native Nashvillian whose drive and creative passion touched the hundreds of thousands who witnessed his work. Craig’s skill and vision came to fruition as he served as set designer for the most reputable performing arts organizations, including professional theater, ballet, opera, and community theater. This Fund was established to keep Craig’s enthusiasm alive and is intended to assist designers and production teams mounting new productions to take that extra step to convert their dreams into images that will touch, move and inspire.
Student Ticket Subsidy Fund
Established 1994Student Ticket Subsidy is a program funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and designated agencies across the state. The Fund is designed to ensure that Tennessee’s school-aged children have access to live performance. The program is available to public school students and the Fund reimburses ticket costs for children.
Tennessee Dance Theatre Agency Fund
Established 1993For many years, Tennessee Dance Theatre created modern dance works that captured the unique flavor of the South. Sadly, the company closed, but, as its legacy, the Fund will continue to support what the original donors intended: the excellent performance of dance in Middle Tennessee.
Theater Permanent Endowment Fund
Established 2001The Tennessee Repertory Theatre strives to be the premier regional theater in the South, creating and perpetuating a center for the production of the highest quality professional theater. The Rep plays a pivotal role as a prime resource for the staging of new and classic works of drama, which enthrall both experienced theatergoers and those for whom live theater may be a new adventure. The Theater Permanent Endowment Fund will provide funds through the years to ensure that the stage in Nashville never goes dark.
Josh Turner Fund for the Arts
Established 2006Growing up in Hannah, South Carolina, Josh Turner had little access to music or musical education through the public school system. Josh made it because of the encouragement of a teacher who recognized his potential and who steered him toward Belmont’s music program when he was considering colleges. The Fund that Josh and his wife, Jennifer, have established within The Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching his hometown’s public schools and their capacity to encourage kids a lot like him to pursue their artistic dreams.
Dawn Elrod Whitelaw Fund for the Arts
Established 2006Though perhaps a truism, an artist sees the world as it is AND as it might be. That blank canvas really does hold infinite possibility and potential. Dawn Elrod Whitelaw has always had the ability to take that blank canvas and imbue it with meaning and life. She knows how to get the most from every brushstroke and every millimeter. Dawn’s friends and family set up this Fund to create another blank canvas with which to work her magic: the opportunity to give back.
W.O. Smith Music School Endowment Fund
Established 1993The W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School provides music instruction to children from low-income families for $.50 a lesson. The students are taught by an all-volunteer faculty of 100 musicians and teachers, drawn from every segment of the Nashville community. Instruments and music materials are loaned to students at no additional cost. This scholarship endowment aids talented W.O. Smith students who choose music as a college major.
