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Red Bank seeks grants to expand active older adults arts and digital literacy programs
Summary
City staff sought commission approval to apply for an ArtsBuild CCC grant of up to $2,000 for older‑adult art classes and a digital literacy grant up to $9,000 to expand technology training and provide laptops for older adults; program coordinator Tegan Barber described participation and waitlist data.
City staff asked the commission to approve applications for two grants to expand programs for active older adults (AOA) offered by Red Bank Parks & Recreation.
Program coordinator Tegan Barber presented a request to apply for ArtsBuild Tennessee’s Community Central Connection (CCC) grant for up to $2,000 to fund art classes, artist fees and supplies. Barber said the city hopes to offer 11 art classes over three months with five instructors and conclude with an AOA art gala on Dec. 4. Barber described the AOA art program as well attended: she reported 104 AOA members participated in 17 art classes at the Tom Weathers Community Center during fiscal 2025 with four unique instructors and two partner instructors from The Chattery.
Barber also presented a separate grant opportunity from the National Council on Aging and AT&T offering technology grants up to $9,000 and two to four laptops for participating organizations. Barber described the digital literacy program pilot and data: 193 AOA members, approximately 2,200 check‑ins in FY2025 across eight AOA programs, classes capped at 10 with a current wait list of about 30 participants. She said the grant tiers provide awards between $4,500 and $9,000, supplemental training and materials in English and Spanish, and that grantees would receive technical assistance and laptops to use in workshops.
Barber said the goals are to increase older adults’ comfort with computers, reduce fear of online scams, and help participants communicate with family and medical providers. No formal vote was recorded in the work session; staff presented the grant applications for approval to submit and said awards would be nonmatching if received. Barber noted the arts classes would lead into the city27s broader Red Bank Art Festival on Sept. 27.
If awarded, staff said grant funds would pay instructor fees, supplies and outreach; the digital literacy grant would also provide laptops to keep in program circulation and cover training resources for participants.
