History of the Arts Council

• 1946 - Symphony Orchestra Association of Kingsport (SOAK) was founded.
• 1948 - Kingsport Theatre Guild was organized.
• 1949 - Kingsport Art Guild came into being.
• 1954 - Women's Symphony committee was founded to advance interests of SOAK.
• 1957 - Kingsport Symphony Chorus was organized.
• 1958 - The Junior League of Kingsport was chartered.
• 1965 - National Endowment for the Arts signed into law.
• 1968 - Fine Arts Center was established as a result of the efforts of the Junior League of Kingsport and was home base for three organizations - the Symphony, Art Guild, and Theatre Guild.
• 1969 - First Methodist and Broad Street Methodist Churches merged.
• 1972 -Fine Arts Center moved into former First Methodist Church building.
• 1976 - Partnership Drive for corporate funding was initiated, combining the efforts of the Fine Arts Center, the Symphony, the Art Guild, and the Theatre Guild.
• 1985 - Fine Arts Center and City of Kingsport Cultural Arts Department began a cooperative relationship.
• 1986 - City established the Arts Enrichment Fund at the level of $100,000, which the Arts Council has administered with the Department of Parks and Recreation.
• 1987 - Fine Arts Center approved by NEA for three-year grant to fund computer equipment purchase and increased staffing.
• 1988 - Name changed to Arts Council of Greater Kingsport to reflect changing structure.
• 1989 - Designated by the Tennessee Arts Commission to distribute Arts Build Community (ABC) funds for Sullivan and Hawkins counties.
• 1991 - Arts Council moved to Kingsport Renaissance Center.
• 1993 - First United Arts Fund Drive for both corporate and individual donations was conducted in the fall, with the Arts Council, Symphony, Theatre Guild, Art Guild, and State of Franklin Dance Alliance participating. Arts Council gave up its individual membership drive at this time.
• 1995 - Kingsport Association of Dance Artists joins the United Arts Fund Drive, held in the spring since 1994.
• 1996 - Symphony Orchestra Association of Kingsport decides against participating in the United Arts Fund Drive in favor of its own fund campaign. United Arts Fund name is changed to Arts Fund.
• 1996 - Designated by the Tennessee Arts Commission to distribute Student Ticket Subsidy funds for Sullivan, Hawkins, and Hancock counties. In partnership with the Johnson City Area Arts Council, publish and distribute Ticket Subsidy booklet listing arts events available to public school students.
• 1997 - First Annual Arts Awards, public ceremony announcing awards in the following categories: Individual Artist’s Awards for Dance, Folk Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts; also, awards for Individual Patron, Volunteer, Small Business Patron, Corporate Patron, Arts Student, Arts Teacher and Kingsport Mayor’s Special Award. Fundraising dinner and silent auction follows the public ceremony.
• 1998 - In partnership with Kingsport Tomorrow, outlined a plan to carry-out a Community Cultural Assessment and applied for an NEA ArtsREACH grant to fund the assessment.
• February 2002 - After several years of declining fundraising, all staff of the Arts Council were dismissed. An Arts Task Force recommended that the board continue on as an all-volunteer organization and work towards redefining the organization.
• March 2002 - Longtime Finance and Grants Manager, Cathie Faust was rehired as part-time bookkeeper. Cultural Arts Assessment printed. This was the end result of the NEA ArtsREACH grant.
• Sept 2002 - Applied for and received ABC funds for 2003 Arts Awards - 2003 Arts Awards presented Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble and awarded recognition to 12 Distinguished Artists and Arts Leaders.
• September 2003 - Applied for and received ABC grant funds for websites. In an effort for regional partnership, ACGK split out the calendar portion of the website and created two websites: www.TriCitesARTS.org and www.kingsportARTS.org
• October 2003 - Applied for and received Cultural Crossroads grant funds to produce a cultural tourism brochure with partners: Kingsport Art Guild, Kingsport Theatre Guild, Symphony of the Mountains, Kingsport Ballet and Netherland Inn Exchange Place.
• April 2004 - Sponsored receptions in honor of Symphony of the Mountains and Kingsport Ballet.
• July 2004 - Sponsored Wood and Strings Puppet Theatre performances and workshop as part of FunFest.
• September 2004 - Kick-off workshop for JACK - Just Arts Club for Kids. First of 6 workshops for children ages 5 - 12. Launched websites: kingsportARTS.org and TriCitiesARTS.org
• October 2004 - Arts Awards featuring entertainment by John McCutcheon. Ten awards were presented to area Distinguished Artists and Arts Leaders. The award event is now on a two year cycle to precede the spring state program “Governor’s Awards in the Arts”.
• January 2005 - RETREAT with consultant Linda Caldwell - What needs to be done to help promote and support the arts in Kingsport and who will do it?
• March 2005 - Revival of Arts Nights City Lights performing arts series at Kingsport Renaissance Center.
• April 2005 - Central Box Office established, able to take credit cards
• June 2005 - Received grants from Tennessee Arts Commission Art Project Support and Arts Builds Communities programs as well as Kingsport Convention Visitor Bureau and Kingsport Community Foundation. Amy Vetter hired as a part-time JACK Program Administrator. Provided support for traveling exhibit “the Plan of Nashville” and a road trip to the Rau Exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, TN. Participated on team to develop Public Art Policy for the City of Kingsport.
• 2006 - Arts Awards featuring entertainment by Charlie Goodwin Orchestra. Ten awards were presented to area Distinguished Artists and Arts Leaders. First ever Lifetime Achievement award given to Charlie Goodwin. Just Arts Club for Kids (JACK) program name changed to Arts4Kids.
• 2008 - Began selling online tickets with TicketBiscuit.
• 2009 - Hired full-time Program Director, Katie Carrico. This enables the Arts Council to once again apply for General Operating Support Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. Launched new and improved website with BaseRunner Net Services.