Council of Contemporaries is a group of young art and garden enthusiasts who represent the next generation of Cheekwood’s supporters in Nashville. Funds raised through Council of Contemporaries contribute to the organization’s goal of preserving the historical landmark and gardens while serving as an inspiration to a diverse and broad audience.
Council of Contemporaries is supported by
Council of Contemporaries 2024-2025 Officers
Caroline Byrd, Chair
Austin Wiegand, Vice-Chair
Kristin Byrne Ohlmansiek, Summer Soirée Co-Chair
McKenzie Mullins, Summer Soirée Co-Chair
Council of Contemporaries Benefits
Members of Council of Contemporaries enjoy benefits throughout the year that allow them to both support and enjoy Cheekwood’s fifty-five acres across 13 distinct gardens, art exhibition openings and receptions, seasonal festivals, and musical programming.
2024 Calendar of Events
Council of Contemporaries is open to young professionals ages 21-40.
Individual ($175) | Dual ($250)
- Quarterly opportunities exclusively for Council of Contemporaries members including networking happy hours, exhibition openings, behind-the-scenes tours, and more
- Invitation to the annual private preview of Holiday LIGHTS before it opens to the public
- Group volunteer opportunities that support Cheekwood’s year-round art installations, garden blooms, educational programming, and cultural festivals
- An annual Individual or Dual Cheekwood Membership (based on which CoC level is chosen) with all standard member benefits including complimentary general admission and parking; ticket discounts for special events; a 10% discount at the Cheekwood Gift Shop, and more
- Individual Council members receive 1 adult ticket for every visit
- Dual Council members receive 2 adult tickets for every visit
What does Council of Contemporaries fund?
Your donation to Council of Contemporaries allows Cheekwood to keep our gates open for 400,000 visitors annually and ensures funds are available to:
- Support world-class exhibitions
- Offer high-quality education and family activities, public programming for all ages and year-round festivals celebrating the four seasons
- Showcase seasonal gardens, including 250,000 blooming tulips every spring, 10,000 pumpkins in the fall, and over a million Christmas lights in the winter!
- Make Cheekwood accessible by offering free visits to thousands of school-aged children each year
Council of Contemporaries Founders Committee
Caroline Byrd
Matthew Davidson
Lindsay DeCarlo
Dawn Edwards
Lauren Ingram
Eliza Montague, Cheekwood representative
McKenzie Mullins
Becky Paxton
Elly Tate
Jackson Vaught
Please reach out to Eliza Montague if you have questions about Council of Contemporaries.