Northern Tennessee Arts Coalition
Bringing together the people who bring the arts to rural northern Tennessee.
Founded in 2025, the Northern Tennessee Arts Coalition is a network of nonprofit arts organizations. Current members serve Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Houston, Dickson and Cheatham counties. Arts nonprofits from any northern Tennessee county are welcome to join, and all convenings and events are free.
About the Program
The Northern Tennessee Arts Coalition is a regional network of nonprofit arts leaders serving rural counties across northern Tennessee. Members share ideas, highlight ongoing projects, and build partnerships across county lines. The goal is to make the arts more accessible throughout the region.
The Coalition is convened by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University. Members currently represent six counties, including Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Houston, Dickson and Cheatham.
The Annual Gathering
Rural arts organizations often accomplish incredible work with limited staff, funding, and time—and frequently without nearby peers who understand their unique landscape. The Coalition’s Annual Gathering creates a vital space for connection, collaboration, and creative possibility where members can learn from one another’s successes, discuss shared challenges, and build lasting partnerships.
Building on the Coalition’s foundational goals—open dialogue, exchanging ideas, relationship-building, and encouraging collaboration—members come together once a year for a dedicated day of learning, reflection, and forward-looking action.
The most recent gathering took place on September 4, 2026, at Austin Peay State University, and included:
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Intention Setting and Organizational Highlights: Members shared a win from the past year, a current challenge, and what they hoped to connect with others about.
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Bel Stuart and the Rural Arts Coop: We learned about the newly established Rural Arts Coop in Robertson County, and the ways in which arts nonprofits can benefit the communities from which they arise.
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Social Media Practices: A session on communications and audience growth led by Grayson Nicholson, Director of Communication for the College of Arts & Letters.
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Goal Setting and Collaborative Time: Members reflected on their own advocacy and outreach work. They found where their needs overlap and named shared priorities for the Coalition as a whole.
Join Us
The Coalition welcomes nonprofit arts organizations serving rural communities in northern Tennessee. To learn more or to be added to the gathering invitation list, please fill out the interest form:
