The Renaissance Center Celebrates the Arts and Humanities in Middle Tennessee

Release Date: 10/4/2005. Expired: 10/31/2005

The Renaissance Center in Dickson joins hundreds of arts organizations and communities across the nation in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month throughout October. The Renaissance Center will carry this message to the people of Middle Tennessee through activities that honor the efforts of artists, historians, and cultural groups working to make the arts and humanities a part of everyone’s life.

President George W. Bush has said “The study and appreciation of the arts and humanities serve as both a unifying force in society and as a vehicle for individual expression.”

Doug Jackson, executive director of The Renaissance Center, said that promoting and celebrating the arts has been at the heart of the mission of the center since it opened in 1999.

“More than 200,000 people are exposed to the arts each year through the programs of The Renaissance Center,” Jackson said. “Whether it’s students on a field trip, visitors to our art galleries or patrons enjoying a live theatre program or concert, The Renaissance Center continues to be a thriving cultural center for all of Middle Tennessee throughout the year.”

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts and national coordinator of Arts and Humanities month, says “ The arts and humanities play an important role in our lives year-round. Here is an extraordinary chance to celebrate the cultural contributions the arts make to our nation. The work that the cultural community does in passing on an understanding of the arts and proficiency in an art form is a gift to the next generation-and to generations to come.”

With its multiple programs promoting the arts, including a brand new series of dance classes and workshops, The Renaissance Center celebrates the arts year-round.

The Visual Arts Gallery exhibits works by regional artists with multiple exhibits throughout the year, including the annual Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, which is open to artists in 12 southeastern states and often provides the first opportunity for new artists to exhibit their pieces.

More than 13,500 people enjoyed live professional and community theatre productions presented by the Theatre Arts Department last season, whether in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre or a Renaissance Players show.

Concerts at The Renaissance Center range from top-line acts such as Crystal Gayle and Pam Tillis in just the last year, to the Nashville Pipes and Drums, regional bluegrass and gospel groups. Performances have ranged from Christian rock to southern gospel, from classical piano to chamber orchestras, from children’s choirs to jazz quartets.

The brand new dance curriculum at The Renaissance Center kicked off this fall with classes and workshops that filled in days, prompting the addition of more sessions to accommodate demand. From beginning ballet to ballroom dancing, the brand new dance studio at the center has been bustling with activity.

And that doesn’t even count the thousands of children from schools across the region that visit The Renaissance Center on field trips that include live theatre productions, art workshops, music workshops, science theatre shows and much more.

In addition to its own programs, The Renaissance Center promotes the arts throughout the region by hosting such events as the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Presenters Showcase, Arts FUSION and the upcoming Governor’s Regional Conference on the Arts.

National Arts and Humanities Month is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all of the people. The month-long celebration grew out of National Arts Week, which began in 1985 by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts. With a 40-year record of service, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. The web address is www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

The Renaissance Center is a fine arts and technology education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172. To find out more about the celebration of arts every day at The Renaissance Center, call (615)740-5600.