Arts Center of Cannon County facts for kids
The Arts Center of Cannon County (ACCC) is a special place in Woodbury, Tennessee. It's like a hub for creativity, bringing together a theater, an art gallery, and a concert hall all in one building. It's a non-profit organization, which means it works to help the community, not just to make money.
A Look Back: History and Awards
The Arts Center started as a big idea, combining three local groups: the Cannon Community Playhouse (which began in 1980), the Cannon County Historical Society, and the Cannon Association of Craft Artists. The first Arts Center building opened its doors in March 1991. It was about 7,000 square feet. Over the years, it has grown a lot and is now 18,000 square feet!
The Arts Center has won many important awards:
- In 1992, it received the Tennessee Governor's Award for the Arts. This award recognized its great work in the community.
- In 1993, the Arts Center started its School Matinee program. This program helps students experience live theater.
- In 1995, the Summer Youth Conservatory program began. This program helps young people learn about acting and music.
- In 1996 and 1998, a book called 100 Best Small Art Towns in America mentioned Woodbury because of the Arts Center.
- Also in 1998, the ACCC was chosen to host the Tennessee Governor's Conference for the Arts.
- In 2002, the Arts Center started its own record label, called Spring Fed Records. It also helped with a national program to support folk arts.
- In 2003, the ACCC hosted a big conference for people who study folklore. That same year, a music release from Spring Fed Records won an award for being the best Old-Time Release of the Year.
- In 2008, a Spring Fed Records album called John Work III: Recording Black Culture won a Grammy Award for Best Album Notes. This was a huge honor!
- In 2011, the ACCC received another Tennessee Governor's Award. This time it was for being environmentally friendly because of its "Power of Art" solar energy system.
- In 2009, the center received money to turn 1000 old photos about farming in the county into digital files.
What's Happening Now: Current Programs
The Arts Center offers many exciting programs for people of all ages.
Learning and Growing: Education Programs
The ACCC focuses on teaching theater and music to children and teens, usually from ages 6 to 18.
School Matinee Program
The School Matinee program works with schools in Cannon County and nearby areas. The goal is to give students their very first experience with formal art, like a play. The Arts Center gives teachers special materials to help students get ready for the show. The performances are put on by a mix of students and volunteer actors.
Summer Youth Conservatory
The Arts Center also hosts a Summer Youth Conservatory. This program has two sessions for younger students (grades 1-6) and one session for older students (grades 7-12). Each session lasts two weeks. Students take classes and workshops where they learn acting, creative movement, singing, and music. Each session ends with a performance by the students!
Celebrating Art: Cultural Arts Programs
The ACCC shows off art by local artists through yearly events and special exhibitions in its gallery.
Handmade Wonders: Crafts
The Arts Center helps organize the yearly White Oak Craft Fair in Woodbury, Tennessee. This fair started in 1990. It gives awards for amazing handmade items like pottery, metalwork, glasswork, and baskets. You can also find beautiful textile art, jewelry, woodworking, and photography at the fair.
The ACCC building also has a craft store that sells items made by local artists all year long. It's part of the Cumberland Crafts Trail, which highlights craft artists in the region.
Art on Display: The Gallery
The Arts Center's Marley Berger Gallery has six different art shows each year. These shows often feature traditional artworks or pieces that are important to the local culture. The gallery displays art by local artists chosen by the Arts Center, as well as traveling art shows from other places.
Live on Stage: Performing Arts Programs
The Wilma Adams Theater at the Arts Center hosts six public performances each year. It also puts on three children's shows each year for school groups. These shows include well-known plays and musicals, as well as new works by local writers.
The Theater also hosts concerts by local and touring musicians. You can hear folk, bluegrass, blues, and jazz music, plus tribute bands. Famous performers who have played at the Arts Center include Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Nnenna Freelon, Dr. Ralph Stanley, The Fairfield Four, Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Leon Redbone.
Spring Fed Records
Spring Fed Records is the Arts Center's own record label. It started in 2002. It mainly focuses on collecting and re-releasing old recordings of traditional bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, and blues music. As mentioned before, their album John Work III: Recording Black Culture won a Grammy Award for Best Album Notes. In 2010, Spring Fed Records began recording local folk and bluegrass artists. Spring Fed Records is now owned by Middle Tennessee State University.
