Jackson, TN – The Jackson Symphony is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Challenge America award of $10,000.

This grant will support the expansion of The Jackson Symphony Music Academy’s Regional Music Centers, a program launched in the fall of 2023 to bring high quality, FREE, instrumental and vocal instruction to culturally underserved students across West Tennessee.

With six Regional Music Centers currently open in Carroll, Crockett, Henderson, Henry, Obion, and Weakley counties, the program, at capacity, will serve students in all 22 West Tennessee counties (except Shelby.)

In total, the NEA will award 257 Challenge America grants totaling $2,570,000 that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants.

“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to The Jackson Symphony which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector in local communities,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are pleased to be able to support this initiative and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”

Sherry Freeman, Jackson Symphony executive director, also offered her thoughts on the grant.

“The Jackson Symphony is thrilled to receive recognition and support from the NEA for our Regional Music Centers,” Freeman said, “The Jackson Symphony Music Academy believes music education increases confidence, builds leadership and teamwork skills, and cultivates creative expression, and we are excited to offer education for talented music students in their own communities.”

For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news, or for more information on The Jackson Symphony and its outreach programs, visit thejacksonsympony.org.

(PHOTO: The Jackson Symphony – Obion County Regional Music Center)