Jackson Arts Council Programs
JAC Grants
The Jackson Arts Council JAC Grant provides funds for a variety of quality arts projects. Funds awarded to a single organization in this category range from $500 to $4,000. The program is funded by the Jackson City Council and the Madison County Commission. Applications must contain a clear, single-project focus. Grant funds in this category must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Only one grant application may be submitted per applicant under this program. The Jackson Arts Council distributes the funds through a formal grant procedure, with arts groups completing the application by a designated time, and an independent panel reviewing and ranking the arts projects for funding.
Technical Assistance Program
Technical Assistance to strengthen arts organizations is given through one-on-one counseling, educational forums, workshops and printed information. Technical Assistance includes a wide variety of topics, including grant writing, public relations, marketing, tax status and arts management training.
Communications/Information Services Program
To inform the public about the arts and art events, the Council creates and maintains a calendar of events, distributing and updating the information on a regular basis to the following media outlets and organizations.
- Bank of Jackson
- Bolivar Bulletin Times
- Charter Main Street
- Chester County Chamber of Commerce
- Chester County Independent
- City Hall Website
- City News
- Commercial Appeal Playlist
- Convention and Visitor Bureau
- Decatur County Chronicle
- Decatur County Chamber of Commerce
- Hardeman County Chamber of Commerce
- Hardin County Chamber of Commerce
- Haywood County Chamber of Commerce
- Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
- Henderson County News
- Humboldt Chronicle
- Independent Appeal
- Jackson Arts Council Website
- Jackson Chamber of Commerce
- Jackson Downtown Development
- Jackson Media Group
- Jackson Parent Magazine
- Jackson Sun
- Lexington Progress
- McNairy County Chamber of Commerce
- MidSouth Living
- Milan Mirror
- News Leader
- Six in the City
- Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association
- Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
- TN Women’s Journal
- VIP Magazine
- WBBJ Media Calendar
- West Tennessee Examiner News & Classifieds, Inc.
- WKNO Radio
- WNWS 101.5
The council provides information regarding the arts in Jackson to a variety of other outlets, including MidSouth Living Magazine, Southern Living, statewide government publications, BellSouth, local newspapers and Tennessee Arts Commission. The Council also provides a speaker for the community organizations and local media programs
The Council serves as a “point-of-information” to hundreds of citizens yearly, fielding a variety of questions, such as “What art classes are available for my child?”, “Where can I purchase tickets to an event?”, “How do I get in touch with The Ned?”, etc.Advocacy Program
The Council encourages governmental support of the arts by joining forces with Tennesseans for the Arts (TFTA). Board members meet with legislators to express their interests in the arts, and the Council communicates with our local legislators to keep them informed of the importance of art in our community.
Arts Coalition Program
In order to provide networking opportunities, feedback, shared information and a united voice, the Council facilitates a coalition of arts organizations. Currently, there are over 30 arts groups from
ABC Grants Program - View Site
JAC serves as the designated agency in administering the Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grants for the Southwest District, which includes
Ticket Subsidy Program - View Site
Last year, the Jackson Arts Council funded over 7,200 children to go to arts events.
Funded by the General Assembly and administered in conjunction with Tennessee Arts Commission, children attend a variety of arts events including special programs by the Jackson Symphony, Ballet Arts and The Ned.

