PHotographer

About Create Appalachia

Artwork: “Chef Dinner”  by Billy Wheeler

Our Mission

To strengthen our region by uniting creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Our Vision

A vibrant region where creative professionals are visible, empowered, and valued—supported by opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in a competitive economy.

Our Values

Innovation, Collaboration, Empowerment

Our Story

Since 2014, Create Appalachia has championed creative entrepreneurs—especially those blending art and technology to launch new businesses and spark economic growth. We’ve built a powerful network through partnerships with East Tennessee State University (ETSU), the cities of Johnson City and Kingsport, Sync Space, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and others.
We define “creative entrepreneur” broadly, including professionals in digital media, film, design, photography, fine arts, culinary arts, and beyond. We support them by:
  • Leading local and regional economic development initiatives
  • Delivering workshops, listening sessions, and research (including the Arts & Economic Prosperity study)
  • Designing programs and events that amplify visibility and long-term sustainability for creative businesses
Our goal? A thriving community of makers and innovators who elevate both quality of life and economic opportunity across the region.

THE CENTER FOR ART AND TECHNOLOGY
Our flagship facility in Kingsport, TN serves as a micro-enterprise incubator and professional development hub. Designed specifically for creative professionals, it offers:
  • Affordable access to industry-standard software for digital media, film, photography, and design
  • Flexible co-working spaces and private office memberships
  • A curated environment that fosters innovation and collaboration
 
SUPPORTED BY
We are proud to be funded by grants from:
  • Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
  • Tennessee Digital Communities Grant
  • SouthArts
  • TVA Marketing Grant
  • Tennessee Arts Commission (Arts Build Communities)
  • 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

Coworking & Private Offices

We have 2 fully-equipped centers for digital and traditional artists to utilize in Johnson City and Kingsport.

Regional Partnerships

We are all about collaboration and are proud to work with other non-profits and economic development partners.

Professional Programs

Get an in-depth course on digital marketing, photography, and more. Click here for more information and our upcoming classes.

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

This was so, so helpful to me. I’m starting to get a direction/image of what I want my business to be, but this gave me so much of a framework to help develop it!
Thank you so much! This is such a special place and we have so many creatives. We’re so thankful that you’re investing in us!
Hannah was great! Looking forward to more. (Attended “The Story That Gets You Noticed”)

Get Involved

Help us make the Appalachian Highlands a better place to live and work through innovation and entrepreneurship centered around the arts.

Board of Directors

Cher Cornett, Founder and Past President,

Associate Professor, ETSU Digital Media, Johnson City, TN

Jane Hillhouse, President,

Community Volunteer, Kingsport, TN

Dr. Katie Hoffman, Executive Director,

Appalworks, Sulphur Springs, TN

Crystal Phillips, Secretary

JWP Rentals,
Kingsport, Tennessee

Tom Raymond, Treasurer

Owner, FreshAir Photography,
Johnson City, TN

John Wood, Vice President

Wood Patent Law,
Johnson City, TN

Heath Guinn,

President of Sync Space,
Kingsport, Tennessee

Davin Brown,

Untethered Media,
Kingsport, Tennessee

Jon Luttrell

Director of Community Relations,
Bristol, Tennessee

Barbara Raymond


Kingsport, TN

Anne Darden

Northeast State, Assistant Professor of English

Johnson City, Tennessee

Ked Meade,

Director of Tourism and Economic Development,
Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Amy Greear

VP of Institutional Advancement,
Gate City, Virginia

Partners

Grant Funding Provided By

Documents

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More Information

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