Mission & History
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 Arts & Culture Alliance (ACA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing local arts through advocacy, programming, and support for artists and cultural organizations across eleven East Tennessee counties. Our mission is simple: to ensure the arts are not only seen and celebrated, but also supported, sustained, and integrated into the civic fabric of Greater Knoxville. A strong arts and culture community strengthens our region’s identity, drives tourism, retains talent, and builds a vibrant economy where people want to live, work, and invest.
Impact Pillars
Arts Access
Expanding opportunities for all people to experience, participate in, and benefit from the arts.
Advocacy + Investment
Championing public and private support for arts and culture to ensure a strong, sustainable sector.
Capacity + Connection
Strengthening artists and organizations through professional development, shared resources, and platforms that connect them with each other and the broader community.
Who We Are
Founded in 2001 through a community-driven process, ACA builds on decades of work that began with the Arts Council of Greater Knoxville in 1974.
At its heart, ACA is a coalition of hundreds of individual artists and arts and culture nonprofits for whom it provides grants, venues to create and present their work, promotion, and a unified voice advocating for the arts. With more than 700 members, ACA works year-round to help artists and organizations sustain their work. ACA membership is open to all.
What We Do
Fund the Arts
ACA administers grants that directly support artists and organizations across the region:
- Tourism Consortium
Over the past decade, this partnership with Knox County has provided funds to organizations that drive cultural tourism and economic activity. - The Bailey Opportunity Grant
This grant provides direct support each year to individual artists and small organizations for professional development and growth. - Arts Build Communities
In partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission, ACA distributes approximately $75,000 annually to projects that expand access and strengthen communities. - GRACE Fund
Since 2019, this emergency fund has provided assistance to artists facing financial crises, from medical issues to job loss to loss of SNAP benefits in 2025.
Create Space for Artists
ACA operates the Emporium Center for Arts & Culture, a downtown hub for creativity and collaboration.
The Emporium houses multiple galleries, artist studios, and resident organizations, and welcomes the public with free exhibitions year-round. Monthly First Friday openings feature nearly 1,000 artists annually and generate significant direct sales for local creatives.
The Emporium is also available as an event space for your next gathering! Learn more.
Expand Access
Admission to the Emporium is always free, and our member organizations provide free programming throughout the community. ACA programs like Penny4Arts and Make Music Day make it possible for families to attend performances and events at little to no cost.
Advocate for the Arts
ACA serves as a unified voice for the arts in public policy and community planning. We work to secure funding, elevate the role of the arts in economic and civic conversations, and connect artists and organizations with decision-makers. Events like Arts Advocacy Day bring together dozens of local leaders each year to champion the sector.