Our Mission
Integrating art and business for the benefit of the region.
Our History
We drive economic development by supporting creative entrepreneurs, especially those who combine art and technology to generate new businesses. To do this, we serve on local and regional committees, deliver creative entrepreneurship workshops, host listening sessions, gather data for the Americans for the Arts “Arts & Economic Prosperity” study, and create programming and events that strengthen both the visibility and the viability of creative entrepreneurships in our service area. Our goal is a robust, energetic community of creatives working together to increase both quality of life and economic opportunity in the region.
We have some wonderful partners! Since 2014, Create Appalachia (CA) has worked hand-in-hand with the East Tennessee State University (ETSU), the cities of Johnson City and Kingsport, TN, Sync Space, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Tennessee Arts Commission, and many others to provide support for creative entrepreneurs. We define this term broadly, including those who work in digital media, fine arts, culinary arts, film, photography, design and more. Makers in our region can benefit not only from our programs and events, but though the use of spaces carefully curated to meet their needs with special software and equipment.
Our two Centers for Art and Technology are located in Kingsport, TN (KCAAT) and Johnson City, TN (JCAAT). These spaces, designed as micro-enterprise incubators and professional development centers, offer affordable access to commercially licensed software relevant to those who work in digital media, film, photography, and design.
Want to know more about our Centers for Art and Technology? Click here for details.
OUR GRANTS
- Appalachian Regional Commission
- Tennessee Digital Communities Grant
- SouthArts
- TVA Marketing Grant
- Tennessee Arts Commission “Arts Build Communities” Grant
- USDA Rural Business Development Grant
By providing access to affordable co-working and business incubation space, professional development and entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and technical resources, we hope to mitigate the “brain drain” caused by the large number of skilled graduates that are currently leaving the region upon graduation due to the lack of highly-paid, skilled jobs.
We plan to incubate not only businesses,
but a thriving digital arts industry.
What We Offer
Studio Space
We have two fully-equipped locations for digital and traditional artists to utilize.
Regional Events
Our list of regional events is constantly growing, check out the full list.
Professional Programs
Get an in-depth course on digital marketing, photography, and more.
Our Footprint
The Create Appalachia Center for Arts & Technology serves the following counties in Northeast Tennessee, and in the adjacent states of North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky:
• Tennessee
Cocke, Hancock, Carter, Claiborne, Grainger, Greene, Hamblin, Jefferson, Johnson, Unicoi, Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington
• North Carolina
Ashe, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancy, Avery, Madison.
• Virginia
Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Wise, Grayson, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Alleghany, Smyth, Washington.
• Kentucky
Bell, Harlan, Letcher
Testimonials
Honestly, I didn’t know that I needed this class as much as I did.
Board of Directors
Cher Cornett, President,
Associate Professor, ETSU Digital Media, Johnson City, TN
Jane Hillhouse, Secretary,
Principal, Hillhouse Creative, Kingsport, TNDr. Katie Hoffman, Executive Director,
Appalworks, Sulphur Springs, TNJacy Richardson,
Assistant Professor of Digital Media at ETSU, Johnson City, TNTom Raymond,
Owner, FreshAir Photography,
Johnson City, TN
John Wood,
Wood Patent Law,
Johnson City, TN
Heath Guinn,
President of Sync Space,
Kingsport, Tennessee
Samantha Culbertson,
Push the Pixels,
Kingsport, Tennessee
Stephen Marshall Ph.D.,
East Tennessee State University,
Johnson City, Tennessee
Events & Programs Advisory Committee
Ren Allen,
Faces by Ren,
Jonesborough, TN
Margie Kendall,
Margiefoodie.comLeighton Hart,
Market St. Marketing,
Johnson City, TN
Jocelyn Matthews,
Fine Artist,
Johnson City, TN
Patrick Savage,
Savage Creative,
Bristol, TN
Christy Shivell,
Shy Valley Farm, Studio, and Garden
Jason “Jay” Flack,
Jason Flack Art
Partners
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You can donate to our cause, or hop in and help out through partnerships.
