History of the ARTS in Kingsport
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. Established Art Cart in pediatric ward at Holston Valley Hospital.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
2004 Sponsored receptions in honor of Symphony of the Mountains and Kingsport Ballet. Sponsored Wood and Strings Puppet Theatre performances and workshop as part of FunFest. 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
Arts Awards featuring entertainment by John McCutcheon. 10 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”.
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? Revival of Art Nights City Lights performing arts series at Kingsport Renaissance Center in partnership with City of Kingsport’s Cultural Arts Division. Central Box Office established, able to take credit cards. 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 Changed the name of our JACK program to Arts4Kids. Amy Vetter designed new Arts4Kids logo. Arts Awards presented, All that Jazz theme with entertainment by Charles Goodwin Orchestra. Ten awards were presented to area Distinguished Artists and Arts Leaders. First ever Lifetime Achievement award given to Charlie Goodwin.
2007 Expanded partnership with Cultural Services Division on Sculpture Walk.
2008 Implemented online ticket sales using TicketBiscuit. Any nonprofit organization can use the service for a small fee.
2009 Moved website to new host BaseRunner with all new design by Amy Vetter. Made Artist Registry available online. Established fundraising event – Arts Crawl to be held on the last Thursday of September and April
2010 Named Cathie Faust, Executive Director and hired Tina Radtke as Program Director. Board votes to change name to KingsportARTS to match website KingsportARTS.org and to rebrand the organization as a hub of arts activity in the area. Received funding from Kingsport Community Foundation to restock the Art Cart at Holston Valley Medical Center. At the suggestion of the Tennessee Arts Commission contracted Kennedy, Coulter, Rushing and Watson to conduct strategic planning focus groups for Arts and Cultural organizations. ACGK was one of several arts organizations to receive $3,000 non-matching funds for these consultants. “Engage” Kingsport gatherings are on-going. Arts Awards presented at the conclusion of the April Arts Crawl. Implemented Guide by Cell program for the Sculpture Walk. Contracted by the City of Kingsport to issue a Call to Artists for art purchase for the renovated V. O. Dobbins Center’s non-profit wing.
2011 Started two new arts education programs:
ARTS We Talented for ages 18 months to 5 years old
K.E.Y.P.A.D. for ages 13-18 years old
(KingsportARTS Empowering Youth by Participation in ARTS Discovery)
Arts Council of Greater Kingsport/KingsportARTS Staff History
Joe Muncey, Executive Director – 1985-1988
Betsy Reid, Executive Director – 1988-1991
Ellen Finney, Communications Coordinator – 1990-1997
Charles Shain, Executive Director – 1992-1995
Cathie Faust, Finance & Grants Manager – 1993-2002
Pat Jessee, Artreach Coordinator – 1995-1996
Marilyn Schieferdecker, Executive Director – 1995-1997
Cathie Faust, Contract Bookkeeper – 2002-2010
Amy Vetter, JACK Program Administrator – 2005-2009
Amy Vetter, Contract Graphic Designer – 2009-present
Katie Carrico, Program Director – 2009-2010
Tina Radtke, Program Director – 2010-2011
Cathie Faust, Executive Director – 2010-present
Tina Radtke, Arts Education Director - 2011-present