Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently appointed Leo McGee to the Tennessee Arts Commission Board, which consists of 15 members of the state who have demonstrated a commitment to the arts. As a noted author of more than 40 professional articles, 20 creative and opinion essays, and five books; as well as a long-time collector of art depicting African-Americans in the Southern cotton industry, McGee has definitely demonstrated his arts commitment and “looks forward to being a productive board member.”

Most of McGee’s professional life was spent in higher education with 19-year tenure at Tennessee Tech University before retiring in 2007. Prior to Tennessee Tech, McGee acquired his master’s and doctorate degrees in education from Ohio State University. He also spent time working at Ohio State and Tennessee State University.

McGee will help the Tennessee Arts Commission fulfill its mission that all Tennesseans have access to and participate in the arts. In 2013, more than 600 organizations in the state, with more than half being schools, received grants from the commission, totaling $6.3 million in total grants awarded. Chairman of the Arts Commission Board, Rhea Condra, feels that, “With his extensive experience, Dr. McGee has so much to contribute to the Commission in its effort to help move communities forward through the arts in Tennessee.”