Art is Here Partnership

To elevate, to convene, to nurture, to engage, and to lead...the goals that drive the newly established group, Art is Here Partnership (AHP). The phrase “Art is Here” for the community. Chairperson Connie Gatlin recalls the first meetings. “We had been talking about an artist registry for years, so speaks clearly to the idea that many folks who live in this East Tennessee Valley are gifted artists who contribute artistically to the community.

Since the community’s founding, Cleveland and Bradley County has been populated by people of talent, creativity, and skill. The thoughtful addition of the word “partnership” underscores the idea that our goals are lofty, and it will take groups partnering together to elevate the arts and develop an artistic culture—a key element of a city’s identity.

“Art is Here” began several years ago as a slogan for the committee of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce formerly known as Allied Arts Council and has transformed into an action group of local artists. The Art is Here Partnership serves as an advocacy and outreach arm for raising arts awareness and support in Cleveland and Bradley County.

Art is Here Partnership is making its mark on the community with a passionate commitment to convene, nurture, and engage all citizens, bringing artists together with community supporters and community leaders in regular meetings for the exchange of ideas, the promotion of arts events, and the planning for a creative homeplace.

AHP recently obtained non-profit status as a 501c3 organization and has been established with the Tennessee Arts Commission as the primary arts organization in Cleveland and Bradley County, what is referred to as the LAA (Local Arts Agency). The group’s mission statement explains the passionate stance on the importance of arts in October is Arts and Culture Month our community: “Believing that the arts, whether visual, and a great time to join our musical, theatrical, industrial or entrepreneurial, give heart community’s artist registry. and breath to the life of our community, we celebrate the opportunities for artistic excellence and strive to provide paths for arts infusion into the lives of our citizens.”

AHP’s ultimate quest is development of a dedicated performing and visual arts center we brought together a room full of artists to discuss how to give this idea some life,” Gatlin said. “But when we gathered, no one wanted to talk about a registry; everyone wanted to talk about our lack of a community arts center. Everyone involved with local arts realizes the intense need for a dedicated visual and performing arts center. My production company recently presented a show and much of the preparation time was spent searching for a venue for the performances.” Gatlin noted that having no dedicated arts center makes it difficult to see the amazing and active collection of arts activities happening locally right now. She encouraged everyone to follow AHP on Facebook to learn of local arts offerings and place them on your calendar. Gatlin did add that the artist registry was established and can be accessed at ClevelandBradleyArts.com. Since becoming a stand-alone organization, AHP has several accomplishments including completing a Community Arts Plan with Fisher-Storey Consulting in conjunction with Tennessee Arts Commission, Lyndhurst Foundation, and Southeast Tennessee Development District. As a founding partner in the annual community arts festival, AHP supplied the creative vision for Cleveland, Tennessee’s Hot Slaw and Art Y’all. The event highlights local artists and a fun side dish that is unique to Cleveland’s culinary heritage. This festival is sure to become a community favorite. As AHP grows, the lead goal is becoming a reality. Artists and supporters are subtly making deep impressions on the community. AHP seeks to establish that artists and artistic leaders become part of the process of civic planning and decision making as advocates for creatives and arts and cultural organizations, having a seat at the table as this new century becomes a reality. “Art is Here,” Gatlin emphasized. “It is all around us at every event we attend from weddings to funerals, festivals to fairs and everything in between. Art makes our lives better.”

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