Allied Arts officials ask city of Red Bank for support

Allied Arts president Dan Bowers and District 2 City Councilwoman Sally Robinson approach the city of Red Bank about helping fund the organization. Photo by Katie Ward

District 2 City Councilwoman Sally Robinson and Allied Arts president Dan Bowers are asking the city of Red Bank to make a donation to assist with local arts education.

"We want to let everyone know what Allied Arts is doing in Red Bank," said Robinson. "I'm here wearing two hats as a city councilwoman and as a supporter of Allied Arts. I get asked, 'Will other municipalities give a show of support?' This year Dan and I will call on Signal Mountain, Walden, Lookout Mountain, East Ridge, Red Bank, Soddy-Daisy, Lakesite, Collegedale and Ridgeside to pledge an amount to represent citizenry. It will show support to your constituents, children and grandchildren."

He said Allied Arts has invested a little over $11,475 in Red Bank schools over the past five years.

The nonprofit received $160,000 from the city of Chattanooga and $150,000 from Hamilton County last year, according to him.

"We started a program last year where every student in kindergarten through fifth grade has meaningful art experiences every year," said Bowers. "Imagine is where a complete grade has an art experience. All second graders go see the Nutcracker and all fourth graders go see Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing."

Five Red Bank Elementary School teachers in 2010 took workshops to help enhance literacy instruction through the arts. The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., sponsors the workshops.

He said $50,000 in grants funding brings artists to speak to schools, supplies art materials in classrooms and provides art field trips for students. He said Red Bank Elementary School students used ticket subsidiaries to travel to watch the Chattanooga Boys Choir and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera perform.

Bowers said 43 Hamilton County elementary schools participated in Allied Arts Imagine program in 2010, but 50 total Hamilton County schools received Allied Arts funding in 2010. Partners spend about $1.5 million on arts education per year.

"The arts are for all," Bowers said. "When we say all, we talk about students in school. Approximately 858,000 people are served through Allied Arts, and 65 percent are young people, seniors and people with special needs. Our philosophy is there's a collective responsibility to fund the arts."

Bowers said Allied Arts strengthens communities in Hamilton County through the arts.

"I commend both of you for coming out and explaining to us such a worthy cause," said Red Bank Mayor Monty Millard.