July 23, 2021
When looking for a place to retire, Robert and Arlene Austin had a number of criteria on their list. A college community – and access to the arts – were high on their list. Maryville College offers that and more, making Maryville, Tenn., a top choice for the couple’s next move.
The Austins have now lived in Maryville for several years, and as season ticket holders and patrons of the Clayton Center for the Arts, they are regular attendees. They also support the CCA financially through generous donations to the Clayton Center for the Arts Endowment. For years to come, the endowed funds will assist with programming, expansion of community and educational outreach, and general support of the CCA.
“Maryville College met one of our criteria for selecting a place to retire,” the Austins said. “When we heard that an arts center was being planned for the college campus, we knew we had made the correct decision. Webelievethe Clayton Center for the Arts is a tremendous asset that provides a wide variety of programming for the entire community. Therefore, we are pleased to support the Clayton Center for the Arts by attendance as well as financially.”
The Clayton Center for the Arts recently announced its 2021-22 season, which starts Sept. 12 with John Driskell Hopkins (of the Zac Brown Band). The season also includes the following performances: “An Evening with Judy Collins” on Oct. 3; “Music City Hit-Makers featuring the Warren Brothers” on Oct. 30; “Dailey and Vincent: All I Want for Christmas is Y’all” on Dec. 5; “MOMIX: Viva MOMIX” on Jan. 15; “American Spiritual Ensemble” on Jan. 21; “Aquila Theatre: The Great Gatsby” on Feb. 3; “Velocity: Irish Dance” on March 4; “The Choir of Man” on March 12; and “A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce” on March 31. Additional performances include “The President’s Own US Marine Band” on Oct. 27 and “The Wailin’ Jenny’s” on Feb. 11.
Season subscriptions will go on sale to the public starting Aug. 16. For more information, visit claytonartscenter.com.
“We couldn’t offer such diverse, quality programming without the support of our generous donors, and we are so grateful to the Austins and other supporters of the Clayton Center for the Arts, who want to ensure that we are able to continue to bring the arts to the Maryville community,” said Blake Smith, general manager of the Clayton Center for the Arts.
Endowed gifts support Maryville College and the Clayton Center for the Arts today and into the future by funding a number of important initiatives, including student scholarships, faculty positions, and other institutional priorities. Endowed gifts may be unrestricted to support the most pressing needs at Maryville College, specific priorities or programming for the Clayton Center for the Arts, or designated for a specific purpose. Many gifts that support the endowment come through planned giving, including estate gifts that support MC and the CCA in the future through charitable bequests, trusts and gift annuities.
As of May 31, 2020, the value of the College’s endowments and trusts totaled $97.2 million. Recently, Maryville College met a five-year goal to document $10 million in planned gifts by spring 2021. The Clayton Center established an endowment for its 10th anniversary in 2020. While invested with the MC endowment, the CCA will receive yearly amounts based on monies invested in its endowment.
For more information about making a planned gift, please contact Diana Canacaris, director of major gifts, at 865-981-8198 or diana.canacaris@maryvillecollege.edu. For more information about giving to the Clayton Center for the Arts, please contact Cheri Compton at cheri.compton@claytonartscenter.com.
