From left: Ann Smith, Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) member from Johnson City; Anne Pope from Kingsport, TAC's new executive director; and Ellen Hays, TAC chair from Chattanooga.
NASHVILLE, TN - A native of Kingsport has been appointed executive director of the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). Anne B. Pope will begin her new job on May 14. She comes to the Commission with a wealth of experience - not only in all areas of government, but in the private sector as well.
"I am excited and honored to serve Governor Haslam and the citizens of Tennessee in an area of such value and importance to our state," said Pope. "I am passionate about Tennessee's unique artistic landscape and cultural heritage, and I am eager to be a part of moving the arts forward in ways that tell our story, strengthen our economy, enhance our communities, and teach our children to be creative and progressive thinkers."
According to Ellen Hays, chair of the Arts Commission, the selection of Pope will allow TAC to keep working toward long-term strategic goals and achieving success in its various program areas. Considered one of the foremost state arts agencies in the nation, the Commission has made great strides in the areas of public funding, arts education, advocacy, promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, strategic planning, support of individual artists, and innovative services to constituents in all arts disciplines.
Most recently Pope served as the executive director of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, a priority of the Tennessee First to the Top Initiative, designed to promote and expand the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in k-12 public schools.
Prior to her work with the STEM Innovation Network, Pope served as federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. She previously served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and as executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission.
In the private sector, Pope served as President/CEO of Proffitt's of the Tri-Cities, Inc. (formerly a division of Saks, Inc.), and prior to that as president/CEO for the Parks-Belk Co., a chain of department stores in Northeast Tennessee.
