Haslam Announces Partnership With CMA Foundation To Launch $1 Million Music and Arts Education Initiative

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced a partnership with the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation to launch a $1 million competitive grant opportunity focused on expanding students’ access to high-quality music and arts education.

Tennessee: State of the Arts is a first of its kind public-private partnership to ensure more students across the state of Tennessee will have access to a quality arts and music education. School districts in Tennessee will have the opportunity to apply for funding to improve or develop their music education programs. The statewide initiative will kick-off with the 2018-19 school year.

“I am grateful to the CMA Foundation for this generous investment that builds upon Tennessee’s deep roots in music history by bolstering music and arts education programs across the state,” Haslam said. “Research shows that music and arts education enhances students’ overall academic performance and improves their attendance and engagement in school, building well-rounded students ready to compete in tomorrow’s workforce.”

In its first year, State of the Arts grants will be awarded to as many as eight districts across the state. The three-year grants will be administered by the Tennessee Department of Education and may fund a range of strategies including, but not limited to:

● Professional development for music teachers;
● Additional arts and music supplies; or
● Materials and equipment used to address equity challenges, or expansion of local arts educational outreach programs.

“We understand the tremendous impact a quality music education can have on a student’s academic achievement and social development, yet we still hear that music programs are underfunded and educators do not have the resources they need to create a thriving program,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “By partnering with the State of Tennessee and the Department of Education, we will be able to curate a model for a statewide arts initiative that will impact children across the state of Tennessee -- ensuring they have access to a quality music education and a robust arts program. Our hope is that other states will someday be able to replicate this model as we work to bring music to children across the country.”

Trahern added, “To have five-time CMA Awards winner Martina McBride join us today is indicative of the support from our artist community.”

The CMA Foundation has invested more than $21 million across all 50 states.

More information about State of the Arts can be found here. Grant applications will be made available by the Tennessee Department of Education in July 2018.

For CMA media inquiries please contact Amber Williams, awilliams@cmaworld.com.

About the CMA Foundation
Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs all across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested more than $21 million in over 85 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to power the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving. For more information visit CMAfoundation.org.