Arts & Culture Alliance

04/10/2026

🎶 Make Music Knoxville 2026 is on!

Registration is now open for musicians and site hosts to take part in Make Music Knoxville 2026. This full day of free, live music will take place across Knoxville on Sunday, June 21.

Front porches, sidewalks, galleries, businesses, and public spaces all become stages. Whether you’re a solo act, a band, or a venue ready to host, this is your chance to be part of something citywide and loud in the best way.

Link for more info in the comments. Sign up, show up, and help fill Knoxville with music!

04/08/2026

Arts Build Communities (ABC) grants are now open through the Tennessee Arts Commission, and ACA administers them in 11 East TN counties!

These grants support projects that:
• expand access to the arts
• strengthen community connections
• improve quality of life
• support sustainable cultural work

Eligible applicants:
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations + government entities in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties.

What you need to know:
• Project dates: Aug 16, 2026 – June 15, 2027
• Deadline: July 1, 2026
• All arts disciplines welcome

Want help before you apply?
Join our free Zoom workshop:
May 20 | 10–11 AM (EST)

More info + register for the workshop: https://www.knoxalliance.com/abc-2/

03/26/2026

E Pluribus Unum (“Out of many, one”) invited artists to reflect on American life and our shared history through contemporary art.

Walk through this exhibit this weekend during Big Ears Festival and you’ll see 41 different pieces of fine art.

Exhibiting artists include: Kerry Osborne, Helen J Kerr, Donna Hart, Linda Blair, Yvonne Dalschen, James A Anderson, Staley Pearl, Andreas Koschan, Bethany Stahl, Natalie McLaurin, Billy J Bailey, Haley Myers, Michelle Gilliam, Stephen Simmerman, Michele Croslin, Jared Gottschall, Daniel Adame, Christine Barron, Manderley Swain, Christina Damron, Anna Rykaczewska, Liz Lee, Lisa Weaver, Dan Podsobinski, Robert H Thompson, Carmen Alcocer, Cheri Jorgenson, Rene Oberer, David Underwood, Michael Murphy, Renee Branum, Betty Bullen, Theo Mullen, Robert Grassel, Valerie Spiva, Sylvia Milanez, Sara Wieland, Greg Lach, Damjana Mraovic-O’Hare, Bonnie Stoliff, and Karina Jacks

This project was supported by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

View these works for free until March 28th. The Emporium's hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm and on Saturday from 10am-1pm.

03/23/2026

Visit the Emporium to see E Pluribus Unum this March!

Knoxville artists reflect on American life and our shared history through contemporary art, in our new exhibit, (located downstairs) E Pluribus Unum.

As always, it’s free to visit the Emporium.

03/17/2026

And the awards go to…

E Pluribus Unum Juror Josiah Golson selected four artists to receive cash awards totaling $1800!

This project, supported in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission, encouraged creative reflection on American ideals and our national narrative; by bringing local artists and audiences together around shared creative expression. This exhibit highlights Knoxville’s role as a vibrant contributor to the national conversation on the country’s past, present, and future.

Congratulations to:
Best in Show: Anna Rykaczewska, E Pluribus Unum
Second Place: Yvonne Dalschen, A Republic, If You Can Keep It II
Third Place: Michelle Gilliam, Desert Flag
Best Work by an ACA Member: Bethany Stahl, We the People

Please stop by to see our current exhibits, on display until March 28th!

03/09/2026

Beautiful weather, vibrant art and wonderful music! Thanks to all who made it to the Emporium on First Friday.

The space was filled with music from Pistol Creek Catch of the Day as spectators viewed our five new exhibits and visited the various artists and organizations of the Emporium.

On display this March:
time. space. curated by Ashley Layendecker
E Pluribus Unum Juried Exhibition, juried by Josiah Golson
Soft Wounds, Loud Colors: Fragments Of A Lived Experience by Liz Lee
Robert Felker: Patron Saints of Rock, Revival
Laura Goff Parham: Traditional Stained Glass with a Modern Twist

These works will be on display at the Emporium in downtown Knoxville until March 28th.

Photos By: Holly Rainey

02/04/2026

If you have received an email message from our board president, please be aware it is a scam. The Arts & Culture Alliance would never solicit donations in that manner. Thank you! --Liza Zenni

02/02/2026

The Arts & Culture Alliance is proud to partner with Clarence Brown Theatre for the inaugural production in the new Jenny Boyd Theatre. Join us next Wednesday, February 11, for Pay-What-You-Can-Night!

We are thrilled to have the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville (ACA) as our Community Partner for 'Cabaret', which opens NEXT WEEK and runs through March 1! 🎭✨

Half of all proceeds from our Pay What You Can (PWYC) preview performance on February 11 will benefit their important mission.

🎨 As the region’s united arts fund, ACA supports and strengthens Knoxville’s creative community through grant funding, exhibition and studio space, professional development, promotion, and advocacy for artists and arts organizations across disciplines.

For more information about ACA, visit www.knoxalliance.com!

Visit www.clarencebrowntheatre.com to learn more about our production of 'Cabaret'!

01/28/2026

Come celebrate with us for First Friday next week! The Emporium is so proud to host these exciting new exhibitions on February 6:

+ time. space. curated by Ashley Layendecker of
+ National Juried Exhibition of 2026 juried by
+ Lisa Kurtz: Fired Up!
+ Farhad Naimy: Fluid Art
+ Katie Dirnbauer: The Things We Carry

As always, we can’t wait to see you! In February, the Emporium is open Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-1 plus Fridays, 5-7 PM for .1010 openings.

01/21/2026

Remember to BID by this Friday at 5 PM for these wonderful artworks by B. J. Clark and others! There is a BUY IT NOW OPTION for those who know what they want when they see it! Proceeds from this sale will fund services for individual artists of the Arts & Culture Alliance.

Auction registration will be available in person at the Emporium or by calling (865) 523-7543.

knoxalliance.com/bjclark

01/12/2026

As you dance your way into the new year, share with our community your support of the arts through a Tennessee Arts Commission Arts plate! On average, 80% of arts grants in Tennessee are funded by the purchase of state specialty license plates! Learn more at www.tnspecialtyplates.org Tennesseans for the Arts