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 all kinds of art! Here, you can find a theater for plays, a gallery to see amazing art, and a place for concerts, 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 Cool Awards

The Arts Center started in 1991. It was created by three groups working together: the Cannon Community Playhouse, the Cannon County Historical Society, and the Cannon Association of Craft Artists. When it first opened, it was about 7,000 square feet. Over time, it grew much bigger and is now 18,000 square feet!

In 1992, the Arts Center won the Tennessee Governor's Award for the Arts. This was a big honor for its work in the community.

The Arts Center began its School Matinee program in 1993. This program helps students experience live theater. In 1995, they started the Summer Youth Conservatory, a fun summer camp for young performers.

In 1996 and 1998, a book called "100 Best Small Art Towns in America" mentioned the Arts Center as a main reason why Woodbury was a great art town. Also in 1998, the ACCC was chosen to host a big meeting for the arts in Tennessee.

In 2002, the Arts Center started its own record label called Spring Fed Records. This label helps share traditional music. In 2003, the Arts Center hosted a conference about folk art. Also, a music album from Spring Fed Records, Uncle Dave at Home, was named the best Old-Time Release of the Year.

A special album from Spring Fed Records, John Work III: Recording Black Culture, won a Grammy Award for Best Album Notes in 2008! This album shared important recordings by a folklorist named John Work III. In 2011, the ACCC won 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 into digital files. These photos show the history of farming in the county.

What's Happening Now: Current Programs

Learning and Growing: Education

The Arts Center offers many educational programs. These are mostly for kids and teens aged 6 to 18. They focus on acting, singing, and playing music.

• School Matinee Program: The Arts Center works with schools to bring students to their first live art experience. Teachers get materials to help students prepare for a play. The plays are performed by students and volunteers.
• Summer Youth Conservatory: This is a two-week summer camp. There are sessions for younger kids (grades 1-6) and older teens (grades 7-12). Students learn acting, creative movement, singing, and music. Each session ends with a performance by the students!

Showing Art: Cultural Arts

The ACCC loves to show off art made by local artists. They do this through yearly events and art shows.

Handmade Wonders: Crafts

The Arts Center helps organize the yearly White Oak Craft Fair in Woodbury. This fair started in 1990. Artists can win prizes for their amazing handmade items. These include things like pottery, metalwork, glass art, baskets, textiles, jewelry, and woodworking.

The Arts Center also has a craft store inside its building. You can buy unique items made by local artists all year long. It's part of a special route called the Cumberland Crafts Trail.

Art on Display: Gallery

The Arts Center has a place called the Marley Berger Gallery. It hosts six different art shows each year. These shows often feature traditional art or art important to the local culture. You can see art by local artists and sometimes even traveling art exhibits.

Live Performances: Performing Arts

The Wilma Adams Theater at the Arts Center is a busy place! They put on six public shows each year. They also have three special children's shows for school groups. These include well-known plays and musicals, plus new works by local writers.

The theater also hosts concerts. You can hear folk, bluegrass, blues, and jazz music. Tribute bands also perform here. Famous artists who have performed 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 old recordings and new collections 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. Since 2010, Spring Fed Records has also been recording local folk and bluegrass artists. Today, Middle Tennessee State University owns Spring Fed Records.