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A resolution recognizing the artistic and cultural contributions of Dr. Anne Brown.
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WHEREAS, Dr. Anne Brown, originally a native of Texas, first came to Nashville in 1968 to teach students as a Professor at Fisk University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Brown was first attracted to Nashville by the city’s reputation as a center for the arts; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that she could improve and enhance the city’s artistic culture and offerings, Dr. Brown began her work as a leading figure in Nashville’s arts community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Brown served as the founding Executive Director for the Metro Arts Commission from 1982 to 1992, and developed a public agenda for the first Metro agency devoted solely to the arts; and
WHEREAS, during this role, Dr. Brown founded the city’s legendary Summer Lights Festival, a successful and popular downtown arts event which ran from 1985 to 1993; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Brown was instrumental in revitalizing 5th Avenue in downtown Nashville and reshaping it into “5th Avenue of the Arts” by opening an art gallery, The Arts Company in 1996; and
WHEREAS, at her gallery, Dr. Brown represented and supported numerous artists including Thornton Dial, Brother Mel, the Gee's Bend Quilters, James Threalkill, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Herb Williams, and native Nashvillian photographer Ed Clark; and
WHEREAS, in the years after opening The Arts Company, Dr. Brown’s growing influence attracted more people and galleries to downtown Nashville, leading to the creation of the First Saturday Art Crawl Downtown in August 2006; and
WHEREAS, during this popular evening event, 15 to 20 art galleries participate and open their doors to 2,000 visitors a month, showcasing various exhibits by emerging artists and nationally recognized artists; and
WHEREAS, more recently, Dr. Brown partnered with Atlanta’s National Black Arts Festival to create Culture Fest, which brought luminaries like visual artist Fahamu Pecou and filmmaker Jason Orr to Nashville; and
WHEREAS, after The Arts Company closed its doors in 2019, Dr. Brown continued her contributions to the creative community in Nashville by working as a consultant and shaping the arts through her writing and expertise; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Brown’s work and dedication made an enormous impact on downtown Nashville during a time when there was almost no art industry infrastructure. She not only shaped the city’s art scene, but she also stressed the importance of creatives across the board being treated as professionals; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes Dr. Anne Brown for her countless contributions to the arts in Nashville, and thanks her for making the city a more vibrant and creative community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the artistic and cultural contributions of Dr. Anne Brown.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presentation to Dr. Anne Brown.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.