COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (August 9, 2017) – The Tennessee Arts Commission has awarded Art Round Tennessee a $7,000 grant in support of “Spokes,” Cookeville’s first public art sculpture.
The brainchild of Cookeville artist Brad Sells, “Spokes” is an arch of bicycles to be installed near the trail head of the Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail on Broad Street in Cookeville’s West Side district. The award falls in the “Creative Placemaking” category of art projects, which are intended to contribute to and enhance the communities in which they’re located.
“These investments support local efforts to enhance quality of life, increase economic and creative activity, and help create and expand a distinct sense of place through the arts,” said Anne B. Pope, executive director of the Tennessee Arts Commission.
The Spokes project is the latest initiative of Art Round Tennessee, which coordinates the ART Prowl, Cookeville’s annual fall studio and gallery tour.
The bicycle arch, currently in final design phase, is expected to be constructed and installed by the end of the year. It will span the entrance of the parking area in front of the trail head across the railroad tracks from the Cookeville Depot Museum.
In fiscal year 2016, the Tennessee Arts Commission awarded $5.2 million in grants to more than 700 non-profit organizations. According to the latest Arts & Economic Prosperity national impact study, Tennessee’s non-profit arts and culture industry generates $1.17 billion in annual economic activity. Nationwide, the study shows that non-profit arts and culture activity produces $166.3 billion.
Learn more about Art Round Tennessee at artroundtennessee.com.
CUTLINE: Members of the Art Round Tennessee Board of Directors gather with Shannon Ford, director of Community Arts Development with the Tennessee Arts Commission. From left: Michael Dyer, Marilee Hall, Breanna Kincaid, Brad Sells, Ford, Laura Clemons, Carolyn Isbell and Jesse Filoteo. Not pictured: Laurie Sewell and Tony Stone.
