Tennessee Arts Commission Awards Grant to New Day Children’s Theater

State Rep. Kevin Vaughan of Collierville has secured state funding to help strengthen arts education in his community, announcing this month that New Day Children’s Theater will receive a $5,700 grant to support its youth programming and outreach. The grant, awarded through the Tennessee Arts Commission, is part of $12.3 million in state funding designated in the 2025–26 budget to bolster arts initiatives across all 95 counties.

For Vaughan, the announcement is a chance to highlight how targeted state investment can ripple across local communities. “This grant will help provide more opportunities for young people in our community to engage with the arts and express themselves creatively,” he said. “Programs like these are essential to building strong communities and supporting local talent.”

Founded with a mission to give children in the Collierville area a platform for creative expression, New Day Children’s Theater has become a hub for arts education, offering productions, workshops, and outreach that encourage teamwork, confidence, and creativity. The grant provides the organization with vital resources to expand its programs, reaching more students and families while ensuring that the arts remain accessible in a fast-growing community.

The funding comes through a competitive process managed by the Tennessee Arts Commission. Applications are reviewed by citizen advisory panels with expertise in a wide range of artistic disciplines, then advanced to the full commission for approval. This rigorous evaluation ensures that grant recipients demonstrate both artistic merit and community impact.

Anne B. Pope, executive director of the Tennessee Arts Commission, said the state’s commitment to the arts is about more than entertainment. “Tennessee is fortunate to be a state where few can rival the breadth and depth of its arts and culture,” Pope said. “Arts and culture are vital tools for attracting and retaining businesses and help build stronger communities by enhancing the distinctive character of Tennessee places.”

That distinctive character, she noted, extends far beyond urban centers like Nashville and Memphis. By ensuring funding reaches every county, the state aims to sustain a network of local theaters, art centers, museums, and nonprofits that serve as anchors of civic and cultural life.

The broader impact of Tennessee’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is significant. According to the commission, it generates $1.4 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 23,400 full-time equivalent jobs, and contributes to statewide education, tourism, and economic development. Local arts programs not only provide opportunities for young people, but they also attract visitors, support small businesses, and strengthen community identity.

The commission’s current strategic plan, Vision 2019–2025, underscores its mission to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans. Developed over the course of a year with feedback from artists, nonprofits, public agencies, schools, and community partners, the plan serves as a “compass, not a watch,” according to the commission, guiding its work to increase impact while staying aligned with the evolving needs of Tennessee communities.

For New Day Children’s Theater, the grant is an opportunity to build on a tradition of introducing young people to the stage and the lessons it imparts—discipline, collaboration, and creative self-expression. Parents and educators often remark that programs like these prepare students not only for the arts, but also for success in school and in life. By fostering resilience, confidence, and the ability to think on one’s feet, theater programs equip young people with skills that extend far beyond the curtain call.

In Collierville, Vaughan’s announcement is more than just a note in the state budget—it is a tangible investment in the next generation. As Tennessee continues to leverage the arts as both an economic engine and a community-building force, grants like this one ensure that local programs have the support they need to thrive.

With the new funding, New Day Children’s Theater can continue to do what it does best: inspire creativity, connect families, and help young people find their voices. For the children who step onto the stage, the grant is more than dollars and cents—it’s an invitation to imagine, to create, and to belong.