Cheekwood is committed to embracing, pursuing, and celebrating inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility among our board, staff, leadership, partners, vendors, volunteers, members, supporters and visitors. We will be steadfast in our efforts to welcome people of all races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, political affiliations, ages and abilities. We recognize we have much work to do and pledge to pursue new and previously underrepresented ideas, artists, advisors, partners, instructors, innovators and audiences so that all voices can be heard, respected and supported.
Current Initiatives
Programs & Outreach
Black Arts Bash
2 years celebrating the African American Community
El Día de los Muertos
23 years celebrating the Latinx Community
Holi Festival
1 year celebrating the Indian Community
Japanese Moon Viewing
8 years celebrating the Japanese Community
Tu B’Shevat
7 years celebrating the New Year of Trees in the Jewish Calendar
Cheekwood GROWS
(FREE garden instruction, admission, and Destination Cheekwood family field trip for students and teachers)
Destination Cheekwood
(FREE family field trips that include transportation, admission, translation, meals, & complimentary memberships)
Homeschool Field Trips
(FREE admission for students and teachers)
School Field Trips
(FREE admission & guided tours for students and teachers)
Black Arts Bash Student Exhibition
(Works made by 10th-12th grade students in the Greater Nashville Area who identify as Black or Mix-race)
Cheekwood on the Road
(FREE art and science instruction & Family Return Passes)
Community Scarecrows
(Nashville-area groups, businesses, and families create scarecrows to be displayed during Cheekwood Harvest)
Head Start Field Trips
(FREE admission and Tots! programming for Head Start students and teachers)
Middle Tennessee Scholarship Art Awards
(32 years hosting an exhibition of award winners)
Blue Star Museums Military Access
(FREE admission to our nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day)
Nashville Public Library Community Passport
(FREE admission for NPL cardholders)
Summer Camp Scholarships
(Financial assistance for students to attend Cheekwood’s Summer Camp program)
Partnerships
African American Community Advisory Committee
Cheekwood Outreach & IDEA Committee
Cheekwood Staff Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Task Force
El Día de los Muertos Advisory Committee
Indian Culture Advisory Committee
Teacher Advisory Council
Center for Nonprofit Management for Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training
Tennessee Arts Commission and Tennessee Historical Commission for Title VI Training Protocols
Fisk University
Lipscomb University
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Tennessee State University
Vanderbilt University
Center for Latin American Studies, Vanderbilt University
Consulate General of Japan in Nashville
Japan-America Society of Tennessee
Jewish Federation and Foundation of Middle Tennessee
National Museum of African American Music
Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation
Habitat for Humanity
Developing Initiatives
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Plan
Cheekwood is working with a professional consultant to articulate a comprehensive plan for IDEA initiatives for the next 5 years. Peer-led teams have collaborated to develop the plan. In 2023, Cheekwood will reconstitute and formalize its Staff IDEA Committee which will develop tactical actions to be implemented across departments.
*As of October 10, 2022
Intensive diversity, equity, and inclusion training for Cheekwood’s Staff & Board conducted by outside consultants in tandem with Forward Momentum: Cheekwood 2022-2026
Paid Internships at Cheekwood
Cheekwood offers paid internships to students enrolled at area colleges, universities, and trade schools.
Cheekwood’s Strategic Plan Forward Momentum: Cheekwood 2022-2026 was created with the assistance of consultants Lord Cultural Resources to embrace an overarching IDEA approach, including hosting community workshops representative of a diverse group of current and potential visitors.
Cheekwood Strategic Plan 2022-26