OUR MISSION

In 2010, Quest Center founder Jim Lutz envisioned a music education program that would be accessible for all children living in rural, lower-income communities, especially during unstructured and often unsupervised after-school hours and school breaks. Unconditionally. It was critical for him to engage with the most marginalized, underserved and 'invisible' children, as well as children with learning and behavioral challenges. In addition to teaching children to play music, the program would also help children develop essential skills - positive self-esteem, self-confidence, discipline, social skills, collaboration skills and creative thinking skills - skills that help them improve their chances for success in school and in life.

Over the next 2 years, The Quest Center vision took shape. An operating model was purposely developed to make it easy for children to participate, be successful and to overcome any obstacles that would prevent their participation.

Since then, more than 2,225 children grades 4-12 participate in Quest Center programs each year. This includes over 425 students enrolled in weekly music classes annually. After more than 14 years in operation, including navigating a pandemic, our programs and service models clearly resonate with families and fill a void for many children.

The Quest Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit music education & youth development center located in Dickson TN. Our mission is to help build and strengthen community through music, using music education to positively influence the lives of children living in rural, lower-income communities - including at-risk youth and individuals living with disabilities - regardless of financial resources, abilities or other factors.

OUR GOALS:

• Be a positive influence in the lives of children living in rural, lower-income communities by making year-round music education & youth development programs unconditionally accessible to all students, particularly the most vulnerable members of the community

• Help children develop skills that will improve their chances for success in school, prepare them to compete in the job market and help them become stronger contributors to their community: positive self-esteem, self-confidence, focus, discipline, social skills, collaboration skills & creative thinking skills

• Provide an affordable, supportive and safe environment where all skill levels can experience a continuum of music activities: learn to read and play music, improve existing skills, collaborate with other students, explore songwriting and performance, make new friends who share a common interest

• Offer extended education opportunities that expose students to the diversity of careers in music - technical, business, operational & creative - often with industry professionals, providing them with information and a network of relevant relationships

• Develop student engagement that helps reduce boredom & risk behavior among youth, especially during critical and often unsupervised non-school hours & summer months 

• Teach students the importance of giving back to the community through school and community performances.

• Our Pathway Student Teaching Assistant Program is a training & mentoring opportunity for Quest Center students to develop leadership, communication & engagement skills as paid Teaching Assistants in a live classroom environment.

• Maintain an operating model that supports our mission and vision, helping ensure our programs are unconditionally accessible for all children

The Quest Center for Art & Community Development Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a non-profit organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Center are deductible under section 170 of the Code. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.