Rodney Van Valkenburg, director of Grants and Initiatives at ArtsBuild, served on the Tennessee Arts Commission’s 2013 Citizen Advisory Panel in Nashville. Panelists meet once a year to offer advice on program planning and to review grant applications. In addition, they serve as year-round resources to the Arts Commission staff as advocates for the arts in their communities.
The annual meetings were held throughout the month of April. Panels are divided into different categories such as Arts Education, Community Arts, Folklife, Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Theater, Inter-Arts, and Rural Arts. Panel members are appointed to two-year terms, and generally consist of professional artists, arts administrators, patrons, sponsors, educators, and community leaders.
“Our citizen panels consist of dedicated and informed individuals from across the state,” said Rod Reiner, deputy director of the Commission. “These individuals provide an invaluable service to the Commission, and are critical to the grant making process.”
“The caliber of individuals serving on the panels is impressive, and we are so appreciative of their time and effort,” adds Mr. Reiner. “Most of the individuals have strong backgrounds in, or are active supporters of the arts. They make a tremendous contribution.”
Panelists must be nominated. They are required to include a statement of their individual qualifications to serve on the advisory panel. Nominees are contacted to confirm their interest and commitment to attend specific meetings, and their willingness to serve as arts advocates in their areas. Panelists are expected to make a commitment to participate in an area orientation, and to attend the grant applications review meeting.
For more information on the Citizen Advisory Panels, contact Mr. Reiner at 615.741-2093 or email: rod.reiner@tn.gov. Information is also available online: www.tn.gov/arts.
The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences that add value to the lives of every citizen, and enhances the quality of life in Tennessee communities, officials said.