CALL FOR ART: Connections Exhibition 2026

Art educators—this one is for YOU!

 

This is your chance to:

Share your artwork

Be recognized alongside fellow educators

Represent the creativity happening in your classroom

 

Don’t miss the submission deadline!

Deadline is April 20th. Make sure your work is submitted on time and be part of this inspiring statewide exhibition.

 

Learn more + submit here:

https://www.tnarteducation.org/2026-connections-exhibition

As a teacher, your professional growth is key to enriching your students' lives, and the TAA Summer Institute (July 12-17, 2026) is an incredible opportunity for that growth! We all know that getting the green light for professional development (and the financial backing to go with it) can be a bit tricky sometimes. Whether you are looking to get professional development approved or financial support to attend, it’s important to approach yourprincipal, arts supervisor, or superintendent in a way that is clear, positive, and proactive.

Here are a few simple, effective steps to help you make the case for why attending the TAA Summer Institute will be worth both THEIR investment and YOUR time during the summer: 

1. Do Your Research! Is Your School or System Already a TAA Arts Partner?

Your school may already have support in place, and you simply need to let your administration know you want to attend this year! Especially if you are a new arts educator, you could start by asking your colleagues, department head, etc., if they are aware of any TAA funding that is available!

2. Express Gratitude (Before You Ask for Anything)

It is always a good idea to express appreciation for their time and consideration. This helps you start the conversation on a positive note, and it reinforces the value of the professional relationship.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to consider this opportunity for me."

"I truly appreciate your support in helping me grow as an educator."

"I’m excited about the positive impact this experience will have on our students and school community."

3. Start with a Personal Connection: Why TAA Matters to You

Begin by sharing why this specific opportunity is meaningful to you. When you connect your passion for the arts and professional development to the goals of your school or district, it creates an immediate connection. A personal touch sets the tone for a collaborative conversation rather than a one-sided request.

"I’ve been exploring new ways to inspire my students through the arts, and the TAA Summer Institute is a perfect opportunity to deepen my practice."

"It will equip me with fresh, innovative strategies to bring back to our classroom."

"I want to ramp up engagement in my classroom because I think it can make a difference in our school's culture!" 

4. Emphasize the Impact on Your Students and School Community

School stakeholders are invested in student outcomes. Frame the conversation around ways in which the TAA Summer Institute will help you create positive change for your students. By emphasizing how this investment will ripple through your classroom and potentially into the school or district at large, you highlight the long-term return on their support.

"The strategies I will gain at the TAA Summer Institute will directly benefit my students, making their learning more engaging, meaningful, and aligned with current best practices in arts education."

"My participation will also support our school’s goal to foster creativity and innovation within the classroom, which will positively affect student achievement."

4. Propose a Plan & Budget for Attending the TAA Summer Institute

Don't forget to review our daily times & schedule to determine what you'll need. Examples include: any extra meals not provided by TAA, housing, and even mileage to get you here! Share our website to make your case!

5. Make It Easy for Them to Say "Yes!"

Make the process of approval simple for your administration. Offer to provide a formal proposal or share detailed information about the TAA Summer Institute, including dates, costs, and benefits. Be ready to answer any questions about your goals for your teaching or how improvement in your classroom aligns with your school's goals!

Talking to your principal, arts supervisor, or superintendent about attending the TAA Summer Institute in July 2026 does not have to be stressful. Remember, this opportunity isn’t just for you—it is an investment in your students, yourschool, and your entire educational community.

Need help to get started? Call (615-988-6250) or email (taa@tnartsacademy.org) the TAA Office for assistance!

We hope to see you this summer!

TAA is aware that some school systems are still not back in session from the winter weather, and some areas are still without power, affecting internet access. As a result, we are offering a grace period for a final chance to apply for free for the TAA Virtual Winter Retreat through Tuesday, February 10, 2026!

Shake things up in your classroom and join us for fresh ideas and collaboration that will fuel your teaching this semester! This one-day Tennessee Arts Academy virtual session will be held on Saturday, February 28th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.

TAA Virtual Winter Retreat Online Registration Information:

Regular Registration Information

February 11-February 24

Regular registration begins on February 11th and is available to everyone who wishes to apply. Registration fees starting February 11, 2026 are as follows:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!!!!!!!

The Tennessee Arts Academy is proud to announce the tenth year of its TAA Guitar Design Contest. This is an exciting opportunity to customize an acoustic guitar with your own original artwork! This contest is open to all present and past Tennessee Arts Academy participants and/or their students. Winning designs will be selected prior to the 2026 TAA Summer Institute.

Guitars will be displayed during the TAA Online Auction and on the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) campus throughout the week of the 2026 TAA Summer Institute. The winning artists will each receive a special gift from TAA and be acknowledged during the week of the Summer Institute. Plus, the guitar that sells for the highest amount during the TAA Online Auction this summer will net the lucky artist an additional $100 cash award!

The TAA Guitar Design Contest is a win-win proposition for all TAA participants and alumni. The primary goals of the contest are to raise awareness of the synergy between visual art and music; to raise excitement, energy, and enthusiasm during the TAA Summer Institute; and to raise much-needed funds for TAA. Please see the details below and consider entering!!

PHASE 1: Contest and Template Submission

DEADLINE: March 7, 2026

1. Create your own unique guitar art on the guitar template!

2. Complete the 2026 Guitar Design Entry Form by March 7, 2026.

PHASE 2: Guitar Design Implementation

March 9, 2026 - June 5, 2026

1. Winning guitars are available the week of March 9th by contacting the TAA office and making arrangements for pickup. In some cases, the guitar may be mailed to the winning TAA visual art participant.

2. Digital images of finished designed guitars are due to David Reynolds at david.reynolds@tnartsacademy.org by June 5th.

3. The finished designed guitars are due to the TAA office no later than registration Sunday, July 12th. Alternate arrangements for guitar delivery can be made in consultation with the TAA office staff.

4. Guitars will be auctioned online (July 6 - July 16) and exhibited during the 2026 Summer Institute (July 12 - July 17). Note: Online auction bidding will be accessible to anyone with internet access who wishes to participate.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND ENTER!

ARE YOU CONNECTED TO TAA?  

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok!

Want the earliest scoop on all things TAA? Go to www.TnArtsAcademy.org to sign up for the weekly TAA E-Newsletter to stay in the loop! You'll receive a newsletter each Tuesday!

Here's the a PDF of This Week's Edition!

1.20.2026 Winter Retreat Registration Open.pdf

Dear TAA Alumni,

Can you believe it’s already been a month since we wrapped up another unforgettable TAA Summer Institute? I hope you’ve carried that same creative energy back into your classrooms, studios, and rehearsal spaces, and that it’s fueling an inspiring start to your year!

As the Director of Educational Programs & Events at TAA, I’m reaching out with a personal invitation: if you haven’t yet renewed or joined the TAA Alumni Association, now is the perfect time!

Your membership isn’t just a show of support - it’s a statement. It tells grantors, sponsors, and future participants that TAA matters and that people who have experienced it believe in its continued growth and impact. Simply put, it helps us keep doing what we do, and it opens the door to new opportunities, resources, and connections for arts educators across Tennessee. 

I’ve renewed my membership—and I hope you will too! Whether you attended last month or ten years ago, your continued support is a powerful reminder that TAA makes a lasting impact. Now, more than ever, we need to show that arts education matters. With federal and state funding for the artsfacing significant cuts, every membership renewal fuels our ability to advocate for arts education, build new opportunities for teaching artists, and expand our reach to more communities across Tennessee.

Renew or join today, and be part of the movement that keeps

the spirit of TAA alive all year long!

CLICK HERE To Renew Online 

CLICK HERE To Download A Mail-In Renewal Form

And if you have already renewed your Alumni membership, a triple thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Here’s to a great year filled with creativity in the studio, on the stage, and beyond!

Kami Lunsford

Director of Educational Programs & Events

Tennessee Arts Academy

As we turn the corner into the second half of the school year, it’s the perfect time to recharge, refocus, and reignite your passion for teaching. The TAA Winter Retreat offers a unique opportunity for educators across the arts and education sectors to come together, rejuvenate, and connect with like-minded professionals.

REGISTER HERE: http:////taa.hanwi.com/winter/index25.htm

Whether you’re an art, music, theatre, or dance teacher, a librarian, classroom teacher, administrator, or arts leader, this retreat is designed to inspire and support you in your mission to make a lasting impact on students. Engage in personalized professional development sessions, meaningful conversations, and collaborative experiences that will provide fresh perspectives and energize your teaching approach.

The TAA Winter Retreat is not just about learning new strategies – it’s about rediscovering your love for teaching and connecting with a vibrant community of educators who share your passion. Together, we’ll explore creative ways to finish out the year strong, empowering both you and your students to thrive in your arts spaces! 

You'll leave you inspired, recharged, and ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the second semester with renewed enthusiasm!  We can’t wait to reconnect with you!

SHARE THIS WITH A FRIEND! 

Hi everyone! 

My name is Anna Eisch and I'm the Social Media and App Coordinator this year! I am currently a Senior Songwriting major (Music Business minor) at Belmont University (graduating in May...crazy)! I was involved in the arts since elementary school, and took part in every choir group my school offered! Being involved in these groups helped give me the courage to further my schooling in music. I have a huge respect for all the work teachers in the arts do for their students and I can not wait to meet all of you!

I will be posting on the TAA Social Media accounts for Instagram (@tnartsacademy), Facebook (facebook.com/TennesseeArtsAcademy), and Twitter (@tnartsacademy). There will be updates and messages on these accounts throughout the week, so be sure to follow our accounts and like our Facebook page! This way you won’t miss out on any updates.

Along with the social media accounts, I will be coordinating TAA’s Online Auction, the Community Resource page on TAA’s website, the Guidebook app during the Academy, and assisting with the upcoming Big Payback fundraiser. I am very excited to be working on these projects alongside everyone here!

If you have any ideas or thoughts you would like to be shared, please don’t hesitate to contact me at taasocialmedia@belmont.edu! I want to make sure the TAA community has a voice through our social media accounts and through all of the other means available to us. My goal is to keep you, our participants, past participants, and the public updated on what we’re doing and to get those attending the Academy excited for July! Can’t wait to meet you all this summer!

Resources for the 2018 Arts Leadership and Administation Core Sessions

Multiple Sessions

Handout: Field Experience Form 2018

Monday Core Session 1

Three Pillars of Culture Article https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/three-pillars-culture-values-vision-voice-chris-wood

Handout: Value, values, voice Organizer

Monday Core Session 3

Link to standards survey

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9AMXkdmwlz_iZqXKhuJHWfyuDZcKJzQFbmCLfPyEBEXslHQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Printable Domain Posters (From Allison Ross)

MNPS Dance Domain Posters K-5.pdf

MNPS Dance Domain Posters 6-8.pdf

MNPS Dance Domain Posters 9-12.pdf

MNPS General Music Domain Posters K-5.pdf

MNPS General Music Domain Posters 6-8.pdf 

MNPS General Music Domain Posters 9-12.pdf

MNPS Instrumental Music Domain Posters 6-8.pdf

MNPS Music Theory Domain Posters 9-12.pdf

MNPS Theatre Domain Posters K-5.pdf

MNPS Theatre Domain Posters 6-8.pdf

MNPS Theatre Domain Posters 9-12.pdf

MNPS VISUAL ARTS - Domain Posters K-4.pdf

MNPS VISUAL ARTS - Domain Posters 5-8.pd

MNPS VISUAL ARTS - Domain Posters 9-12.pdf

MNPS Vocal Music Domain Posters 6-8.pdf

MNPS Vocal Music Domain Posters 9-12.pdf

Link to TDOE standards training materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WI3I1EulMSM9wF5uxgdslR1MPEHY3kxH

Wednesday Core Session 2

Creating ans Sustaining Purposeful Networks-Tiffany Kerns

https://cmaworld.app.box.com/s/tlyhrptq65pgj7npdxlc1w2i4jm03gdu

Country Music Association YouTube Channel 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwXqD-YxL5C6p_D-RFNT6MQ

Wednesday Core Session 3

Arts Education: A Look Ahead Articles 

https://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/arts-education-a-look-ahead-commentaries/index.html

My name is Amanda Paramore, and I am the new Social Media Intern for TAA! I am currently a sophomore at Belmont University on the Communication Studies track with a minor in Christian Leadership. I grew up singing in choir and taking voice lessons. When I was in high school, I got involved with the theatre department at my school. I spent my freshman year of college in New York studying Musical Theatre. I grew up immersed in the arts, and they have had a huge impact on my life. I am excited to be able to use this passion with TAA!

I will be posting on the TAA Social Media accounts. We will be using Instagram (@tnartsacademy), Facebook (facebook.com/TennesseeArtsAcademy), and Twitter (@tnartsacademy). I will be posting updates and messages on these accounts throughout the week. To be one of the first to see our posts, make sure to follow our accounts and like our Facebook page! 

Along with the social media accounts, I will be coordinating TAA’s Online Auction, Community Resource page on TAA’s website, the Guidebook app during the Academy, and assisting with the upcoming Big Payback fundraiser. I am very excited to be working on these projects alongside everyone here!

If you have any ideas or thoughts you would like to be shared, please don’t hesitate to contact me at taasocialmedia@belmont.edu! I want to make sure the TAA community has a voice through our social media accounts and through all of the other means available to us. My goal is to keep you, our participants, past participants, and the public updated on what we’re doing and to get those attending the Academy excited for July!

These are the resources that were shared during the ESSA interlude presentation by Arts Leadership, Administration, and Assessment participants Atticus Hensley, Gay Page, and Nikkie Parker along with Rita Black. Please use this as a resource as you prepare to advocate for high quality arts programs for your students. There are several additional resources to explore on the last slides of the attachment.

PDF of presentation and resources TAA%20Advocacy%20Interlude%202017.pdf 

ESSA, Equity, Opportunity Article

https://www.ecs.org/ec-content/uploads/Equity_in_Education_Key_questions_to_consider.pdf

Ted Rose, the 2016 Tennessee Arts Academy Joe Giles Lifetime Achievement Award winner recommends Robin Landa's book, Draw, as a resource book. This workbook contains a wealth of problem-solving exercises that can be used by artists, graphic designers, architects, and students.  Also, check out Ted's website at www.tedroseart.com! 

This was sent to me from Kimberly Van Weelden, former TAA Faculty:

I was the secondary general music teacher during summer 2015, and I created a website that has all the lessons, activities, materials etc. that were used during the sessions. Also included are hundreds of other pieces of information that could be used as extensions of these activities.

To access this site, the web address is: http://kvanweelden.wix.com/secondary-general and the password is: kvanweelden.

A wonderful resource created by Floweree McDonough for archiving professional activities, leadership roles, student recognition, and more. Please download, use, and update often. 

Professional Vita Worksheet

Federal Resources for Art Education

Originally posted by Gary Snidecor -- 2011 Visual Art Instructor

Animal Eye Patterns

Lines Lines Lines

Originally posted by Pamela Kay Stephens: 2011 Visual Art Instructor

Birdhouse Lesson Summary

Abstract Weaving Lesson Summary

Community Collage Lesson Summary

Country Scene Lesson Summary

Point of View Lesson Summary

Thaumatrope Lesson Summary

Enjoy!

Lesson Plan appropriate for Grade 3 Music:

Link: Exploring Pulse and Beat