Programs

Ambassadors of Borderless Arts TN

Students at Middle Tennessee State University have formed a student organization that is connected to Borderless Arts Tennessee. This student organization receives lectures and workshops that assist them in knowing more about disabilities and how to utilize the arts when working with people with disabilities. The group also learns fund raising and event planning skills by assisting Borderless Arts Tennessee with its programs and by offering their own programs on campus.

Artist Residencies

Borderless Arts Tennessee provided 16 residencies in special education classrooms and community center locations in which artists used their art form to assist the young people in reaching educational and behavioral goals. The lesson plans and evaluations of these residencies were compiled and provided to the TN Dept of Education and placed on the Borderless Arts TN website for the use of all educators. These residencies were supported by the TN Dept of Education and the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Borderless Dance Community

A free weekly dance program is offered digitally via Zoom. The group has performed at an International Digital Dance festival and with the MTSU dance program.  The group has several community performances scheduled.  This is open to all ages and all abilities.

Corporate Arts Program

Corporate Arts is a program in which young people work with a professional artist on a commissioned piece of art for a corporation teaching the young people both artistic and business skills.

Cups Of Cooperation

The Clay Lady Studio hosts an annual event each year in which the artists in this cooperative create cups that are on sale and the proceeds go to Borderless Arts Tennessee. This event also includes breakfast refreshments, games, tours of the artists’ studios and demonstrations by the artists as well as performances by Borderless Arts Tennessee musicians. The event raises more money each year for Borderless Arts TN as well as providing exposure for our performing artists and a partnership with artists in the community.

Exhibitions

Each year, Borderless Arts Tennessee coordinates at least 4 exhibitions that showcase the work of artists with disabilities. These exhibitions provide exposure and professional development for visual artists with disabilities as well as a networking opportunity for the artists with local galleries and the community.

Festivals

Each year, Borderless Arts Tennessee coordinates 2-3 festivals. Borderless Arts Tennessee and Best Buddies join together each Oct for an annual Halloween Bash. The festivals are social gatherings with music and arts for individuals with disabilities.

Guitar Choir

A free weekly music program in guitar instruction is offered digitally via Zoom. The group also engages in community performances. All ages and abilities are welcome.

International Day of Persons With Disabilities

This is a one-day event that is tied to the United Nations in which Borderless Arts TN showcases dance, music and visual arts at the Sumner County Tourism free and open to the public. 

Online Auction

Borderless Arts Tennessee hosts an annual auction online. This auction’s primary role is to raise funds for Borderless Arts Tennessee. However, as part of the auction, visual art by artists with disabilities and music CD’s by musicians with disabilities are sold through the auction. In the case of the sales of art by artists with disabilities, the artists typically get a percentage of the sale unless they specifically state that they wish to donate all proceeds to Borderless Arts Tennessee. This project helps Borderless Arts Tennessee fund programs for people with disabilities while also providing exposure for artists with disabilities and often cash revenue for artists with disabilities.

Special Programs

Every year, Borderless Arts engages in special programs. The programs change from year to year. Past activities have included a summer music camp, creating ornaments for the national Christmas Tree, coordinating a 40-day international digital arts festival, representing the US in an arts forum in Egypt, diversity training for law enforcement using the arts, creating mosaic walls in a children’s park, theater activities in partnership with the Nashville Children’s Theater…and the list goes on.

Spring Event

This is Borderless Arts Tennessee’s fundraising event to assist us in covering general operating expenses. This event is a costume event that changes themes each year. Besides raising funds for Borderless Arts Tennessee, the event also features performances by artists with disabilities and an art exhibition of visual artists with disabilities. The performing artists are paid and the visual artists receive a percentage of sales. This program helps support Borderless Arts Tennessee while providing exposure and revenues for artists with disabilities.

Teapot Diplomats

The mission is to provide instruction on new art techniques, expose young people to various artists, promote our young artists’ talents, use the arts for community engagement projects, extend our connections in the arts globally and enhance the professional development of our artists. Learn More  

Water Warriors

Each spring, Borderless Arts TN coordinates a competition called Water Warriors. Participants work in groups that consist of a professional artist, environmental agencies, and individuals with disabilities. The groups create pieces of floating art with a water conservation theme. These items are then raised on Old Hickory Lake. Prices are also given for the Best Conservation Message and the Most Creative.

Young Soloist

A Statewide music competition for vocalists and instrumentalists. The program also includes workshops and performance opportunities.

Funding to design this site provided through a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.