Moving Mountains - Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Moving Mountains is Arrowmont’s latest initiative to ensure the future of the institution. A three-year, $20,000,000 campaign, Moving Mountains provides the support needed to ensure the sustainability of the campus.

Moving Mountains supports upgrades and maintenance to Arrowmont facilities and historic campus, expansion and creation of new educational programming, endowments to support scholarships, additional support services for artists, and creation of an operating reserve.

You have the option of designating your gift in one or more of the following areas or making an unrestricted gift in any amount. Either way, you can feel confident knowing your dollars are being put to good use and your contribution will be matched 2-to-1 thanks to a matching gift by the Windgate Foundation.

To discuss your options and make arrangements for a planned gift, contact Trudy Hughes, CEO, thughes@arrowmont.org

The broad categories of support include:

Program Expansion and Enhancement

Development of new programs, expanded service to under-served populations, increased organizational capacity, and building of operational reserves.

Infrastructure Stewardship

Maintenance and upgrades to existing buildings, landscape for the grounds, renovations to the studios, housing, auditorium, and kitchen, energy efficiency improvements, and upgrades to studio equipment.

Support for Artists

Increased career support to working artists including business and marketing information, skills development workshops, access to expert advice, and advocacy for artists and craftspersons at the state and national level.

Scholarship Programs

In keeping with our commitment to further diversity and accessibility, we offer scholarships, work-study programs, and other forms of assistance for those of limited financial means. Strong scholarship funds help us reach even more teachers, students, artists, veterans, and community members. These funds will be allocated as follows:

Scholarships for teachers ・ $3,000,000
Scholarships for returning soldiers ・ $2,000,000
Scholarships for children’s education ・ $500,000
Scholarships for local artists and community members ・ $500,000
University Outreach ・ $2,000,000

Named Scholarship Endowments

Some individuals have established scholarships in their name as part of their support for Moving Mountains. The advantage of a named scholarship endowment is that it exists in perpetuity. Following are the scholarships that have been established. Individuals may contribute to any of the following or establish a new one. The current policy for establishing a named scholarship endowment requires an investment of $25,000. This may be paid in one lump sum, or the donor may take up to five years to reach $25,000.

Bill May Scholarship for Extraordinary Artists

The Bill May Scholarship provides an opportunity for artists who are not formally trained and often self-taught. The goal is to provide individuals who haven’t had the opportunity of formal education to learn from others, build a network, and perhaps experience arts instruction/skill building for the first time. The extraordinary artist is an artist who has through circumstance or inclination followed their own path, not listening to anyone else’s traditions but inventing their own. They may use the same materials and methods as a more traditionally educated artist, but the process and the end result may be radically different. They hear their own inner voice so strongly that they may not even think of what they do as art. First and foremost, they are visionaries. It is fitting that this scholarship created for those who have not yet had the opportunity to explore more formal arts education and instruction be named for Arrowmont’s executive director. Bill said, “During my time at Arrowmont, I have seen remarkable work created by those who might not consider themselves ‘artists,’ but who make important contributions to the field of craft.” Whether they are young emerging artists or those seeking fulfillment in retirement, these voices deserve to be heard and given the opportunity to both grow and contribute. This scholarship recognizes Bill as an “extraordinary” artist and honors his leadership and commitment to Arrowmont.

The Vernon and Anita Bowen Scholarship in Honor of Edra McHarry

The Vernon and Anita Bowen Scholarship in Honor of Edra McHarry provides 100% of workshop tuition, meals and basic housing for at least one kitchen work-study student annually to attend a workshop at Arrowmont. Applicants are elibigle beginning with kitchen work-studies in 2019. To apply, potential awardees may self-nominate or be nominated by an Arrowmont staff member, instructor, or other member of the Arrowmont community. Applicants will complete a letter detailing their interest and need and include their top three workshop choices. Letters should be emailed to Trudy Hughes, CEO, thughes@arrowmont.org or faxed to 865-436-4101. Letters may also be mailed to our offices at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

The Fleur Bresler Scholarship Fund for Children’s Art Education

Arrowmont was established to educate the children of the region, eventually evolving into a school of arts and crafts. In 1992, Arrowmont established ArtReach, its program to offer a full day of art education to Sevier County students — more than 25,000 Sevier County residents have participated in ArtReach. Arrowmont also offers children’s art education classes. As a component of Moving Mountains, art collector and philanthropist Fleur Bresler established the scholarship endowment for children’s art education to ensure that children have the opportunity to participate in craft education into perpetuity.

The Bill Griffith Art Educators Fellowship

The Bill Griffith Fellowship offers a one-month residency to a K-12 art educator and includes tuition, lodging and meals, studio, and travel. The Fellowship was established to recognize the contributions of Arrowmont long-time program director, Bill Griffith. Bill is a ceramicist, educator, and currently University and Outreach Liaison at Arrowmont.

The Barbara Lucile Maples Scholarship for Metals

Established by Susan Carruth to honor the legacy of her art professor Barbara Lucile Maples, the scholarship is designed to benefit metals and jewelry artists and those interested in the medium. Barbara Maples worked in several mediums including painting, printmaking, and metalsmithing. She taught children’s art classes at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts and was an assistant professor of Art Education and Crafts Design at Southern Methodist University.

The Garrett Reece Barnett Scholarship Fund for Community Classes

Garrett Reece Barnett was an integral part of the Arrowmont community — he was an ArtReach kid, a woodturning studio assistant, and lived an adventurous, accomplished and purposeful life. After college, he worked for the Park Service and lost his life responding to an emergency. Garrett represented all we hope for as art educators. In 2018, the Barnett Family established the first named Community Class Scholarship to honor Garrett’s legacy.

The Saftel-Janey Scholarship Fund

The Saftel-Janey Scholarship Fund was established by artist Andrew Saftel to provide scholarships to individuals who have interest and potential but do not have the financial means to attend Arrowmont. Andrew Saftel is a Tennessee artist known for his multi-media works on wood, metal, and paper. His carved, scored, painted and collaged wood panels are a fusion of elements in a sea of color.

The Camilla Dietz Bergeron Scholarship for Jewelry Making

Established by Susan and Tom Glenn, the Camilla Dietz Bergeron Scholarship honors the life and work of Ms. Bergeron. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, Ms. Bergeron was acclaimed for her work as a jeweler and gemologist. The scholarship is designed to benefit individuals interested in jewelry making.

WAYS TO GIVE

We’ve tried to make it easy for you by providing a variety of ways to give. If you don’t see what you are looking for, have questions or need additional assistance, please contact Trudy Hughes, CEO, thughes@arrowmont.org

Cash Gifts

The most common method of giving is to donate cash via check or credit card.
Checks should be mailed to:
Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
556 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Attn: Trudy Hughes

IMPORTANT: If you would like your gift to go towards Moving Mountains or a specific area or scholarship endowment within the Moving Mountains campaign, please note that as well. Learn more about Moving Mountains campaign and endowments.

Click here to use a credit card to pay online. Or, you may contact Trudy Hughes, CEO, thughes@arrowmont.org

Give Online

Pledges

Pledges are short-term deferred gifts. Arrowmont’s policy is to allow up to five years to complete a pledge. Pledges may be unrestricted or for a specific purpose, such as Moving Mountains, and they may be cash or gifts of stock. Click here for a downloadable pledge form. Or call or email Trudy Hughes, CEO at 865.436.5860 or thughes@arrowmont.org.

Bequests, Gifts of Stock and Other Planned Giving Options

Bequests through a will, gifts of stock and other forms of structured or well-planned giving provide the opportunity to give from your total wealth at a lower cost to you. Examples of planned giving include:

bequest through a will
transfer of stock
real estate
retained life estate
life insurance
retirement plan
charitable gift annuity
charitable remainder trust
charitable lead trust