The Arts Reign in Knoxville, TN
Some major cities can’t compete with Knoxville’s arts scene.
When it comes to arts and cultural amenities, many major metros can’t match what Knoxville, TN, has to offer. USA Today recently named the city the fourth-best arts district in the nation, meaning it beat out larger cities like Chicago and Denver.
“The visual arts scene in Knoxville represents the very best of both worlds: It’s rich and reflective of a local sense of place and the Appalachian view of life, yet it is also representative of a curiosity and embracing of what’s going on in the visual arts around the world,” says Liza Zenni, executive director of the Arts & Culture Alliance (ACA), a united arts fund serving and supporting a diverse community of artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions in Greater Knoxville.
Curious why the arts reign in this city of less than 200,000? Let’s explore the makeup of its organizations and the amenities that make this achievement possible.
Oh, the Places You’ll Want to Go
Knoxville boasts a healthy collection of world-class museums and galleries that residents and visitors love to visit. Examples include the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA); The Emporium, which is an arts center that contains galleries; Dogwood Arts Gallery; and several private art galleries and makerspaces. These spaces are thriving, thanks to strategic partnerships and funding programs.
The Knoxville Museum of Art, which overlooks World’s Fair Park, celebrates East Tennessee’s rich, diverse visual culture and its connections to the wider currents of world art. Circle of Life, a permanent glass installation at KMA by renowned local artist Richard Jolley, anchors space that hosts international and local exhibits. Admission is free to KMA, thanks to local business and community support.
The Arts & Culture Alliance manages The Emporium, which offers studio space for artists and exhibition areas.
“ACA also awarded more than $2 million in grants supporting the work of individual artists and arts and culture organizations in our most recent fiscal year,” Zenni says.
The ACA also facilitates projects that ensure artists have a thriving livelihood in Knoxville. One example is the semi-annual exhibition presented by the ACA and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (McGhee Tyson Airport) entitled “Arts in the Airport.” This juried exhibition was developed to allow regional artists to compete and display work in one of the most visited sites in the area.
“Knoxville boasts many hidden gems,” Zenni says. “One of my favorites is the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture.”
Located on The University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s campus, this hub of history showcases the geologic, historical, and artistic past of Tennessee and highlights cultures from around the globe. Current exhibits include “In Conversation: Will Wilson,” featuring Diné photographer Will Wilson’s ongoing Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange project, and “Masterful Mammals,” which highlights the breadth of McClung’s natural history print collection with works by John James Audubon.
You’re Gonna Make It After All
The region is also home to several makerspaces, where visitors and residents can peruse handcrafted works of art (and sometimes watch them be made). Some of these unique spaces include 2 Chicks Studios, Architectural Antics, Maker Exchange, Knox Makers and Master Repurposers.
“Master Repurposers is involved in many aspects of the arts culture in Knoxville through participation in multiple art shows, exhibitions and makers markets throughout Knoxville,” says Marc Rotman, who runs Master Repurposers with Debbie Meritsky. “We also enjoy our association with The Maker City, Dogwood Arts, and Arts & Culture Alliance organizations, all leading and important advocates of local art here in Knoxville.”
Rotman and Meritsky, along with fellow artist Cat Wilt, will be resurrecting the Tennessee Valley Earth Partnership to introduce a Creative ReUse Center in Knoxville.
“This concept promotes the use of repurposed, recycled and secondhand art supplies, and is a growing trend across the country,” Meritsky says. “The operation will also exist as a clearinghouse for donated art supplies, new or used.”
The Creative ReUse Center is expected to be operational in 2024.
Clear Your Calendar
Festivals and programs to celebrate the arts take place year-round in Knoxville. For approximately 15 years, residents and visitors have been encouraged to venture downtown and enjoy beautiful art and great company during the First Friday of the month. Several galleries and venues feature a variety of artists’ displays and live music.
Another nonprofit organization supporting the arts community is Dogwood Arts, which puts on approximately 20 events each year.
One is Chalk Walk, a live art competition in Market Square held during the spring. Chalk Walk features more than 300 artists and teams working on-site a full day to complete their artwork. Cash prizes and ribbons are awarded to artists who have created imaginative and inspiring works in their age division.
Established in 1961, the Dogwood Arts Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural events in Knoxville. The festival takes place at the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park in April. Artists produce original works alongside experiential stations that are designed to engage the public in art-making activities. Plus, live music featuring local musicians adds a performing arts flair to the festival.
Regardless of one’s particular artistic preference, chances are that medium can be found in Knoxville.
“For a small city, Knoxville has a remarkable art and maker community that is supported by the residents of the region as well as tourists visiting the area,” Meritsky says.
This article was sponsored by the Knoxville Chamber. Learn more about the amazing quality of life Knoxville offers at LifeRedefined.com.
