The Emporium Center

The mission of the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville is to serve and support a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance was created in 2001 through a highly participatory community-driven process. Its predecessor was the Arts Council of Greater Knoxville which was formed in 1974. Membership includes artists and cultural organizations, concerned citizens, educators, public officials, civic leaders, business people, and anyone else who believes in the future of East Tennessee. Visit the Individual Artists and Arts & Culture Organizations links to the left for more information. Tell me more about AdvocacyThe Alliance operates as a unifying voice representing the arts and culture community to government, businesses, the media, and the general public, all of which benefit from a healthy, thriving arts and culture industry. The Alliance's advocacy projects also create a channel for artists and cultural organizations to express their unique voices individually. Each year, the Alliance membership makes a positive impression on the Tennessee state legislature when more than 50 member artists and cultural representatives convene in Nashville for the annual Legislative Arts Day. Tell me more about ServiceThe Alliance provides many services and tools to help artists and organizations become more successful, including administrative assistance, planning tools, grant preparation, and access to information services. Tell me more about EducationThe Arts & Culture Alliance works to bring the educational benefits of cultural activities to the widest range of students and residents possible. Alliance programs bring teachers and artists together in the classroom ; sponsor student exhibitions and competitions ; and open the doors of museums and performing arts venues to the region's disadvantaged children. One of the Alliance's most popular education programs, Student Ticket Subsidy, sends more than 22, 000 at-risk and underserved students from eleven counties to arts and culture events each school year. The Tennessee Arts Commission provides Student Ticket Subsidy through the Alliance.