The Renaissance Center is owned by the City of Kingsport and managed by the city's Cultural Arts Division. Many arts organizations rent space in the building, including Symphony of the Mountains, Kingsport Theatre Guild, Kingsport Art Guild, Suzuki Talent Education Association, and the Arts Council of Greater Kingsport.
The City of Kingsport recognizes several arts agencies as community partners. City funding for the Art Guild, Kingsport Ballet, Kingsport Theatre Guild and Symphony of the Mountains goes to these organizations for their programs or as part of their operating costs, depending on each organization's needs.
Funding for the Kingsport Public Library includes salaries, operating expenses, archives, regular activities, and special programs such as movie nights; weekly story times for pre-school and two-year-olds, including arts and crafts; reading programs for teens and adults; performances featuring magicians, singers and storytellers; writing contests; displays of art and photography; book delivery to homebound citizens; computer classes for adults; and a Smithsonian exhibit (coming in December 2008).
The city's week-long Fun Fest is a project of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. The annual event features concerts, art exhibitions and activities, theatre and dance performances. The City's contribution includes personnel costs and sponsorship through City Divisions for these activities. www.funfest.net
To read previous stories about Kingsport and its Public Art Initiatives, search for "Public Art Kingsport" on our website, www.artsmagazine.info.
THERE'S MORE:
--- WYTHEVILLE: Department of Museums and Heritage Education Program
--- STATISTICS: Budgetary Commitments to the Arts offers a breakdown by city/town of line item appropriations for the art.
--- BACK to the main story
--- KINGSPORT: Funding
