A1LabArts is a longstanding, Knoxville-based group helping artists to expand their creativity, to participate in exhibits and events, to get to know other artists, and to contribute to the larger community. It is a member-based organization, open to anyone who wants to join.
A1 had its beginnings in the 1990s, with a small group of young artists who were not part of the Knoxville art "establishment" Dogwood Arts Festival. Among other things, they shared an interest in independent film and video, and they conducted screenings and related activities at various places around town. They recognized the opportunity to create a new kind of artist organization to explore different ways of creating and displaying art and different means of interaction with the community.
The group formally organized as a Tennessee nonprofit corporation on February 15, 1995. The original registered name for the corporation was "LAB: the Knoxville Intermedia Arts Cooperative, Inc." In 2001 the board of directors changed the registered name to "A1LabArts," a name which alludes both to a laboratory for creative experimentation and also to colLABoration. The corporation has remained in continuous existence since 1995. In 1996 it was certified by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that charitable contributions to A1 are tax-deductible, a status which remains in effect currently.
Throughout A1's existence, its members have organized and supported a wide range of exhibits, performances, workshops and classes, discussion groups, collaborations between A1 members and also between A1 and other organizations, participation in community events, and other activities -- some of which are difficult to categorize and some of which have become legendary. A1 members have supported all kinds of creative work, including visual art in two and three dimensions, time-based art such as video, performance art, theater, written and spoken word, music, dance, multi-media events, and more.
A1 has a long and close involvement with education, with benefits flowing back and forth between A1 and students. Many members have been professional art educators, from elementary school to university level. In addition, A1 and its members have occasionally presented one-time art workshops and demonstrations as special events to supplement the regular curriculum at schools and youth organizations. A1 has also sponsored exhibits of student work at all grade levels, and has provided many young artists with their first opportunity to show their work in a gallery setting (A1 has often had its own gallery space, although at present it does not).
A1 has tried many different things and has, along with its membership, naturally changed over the years. Hundreds of creative people have been members at one time or another over the years, many of them achieving significant recognition locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally. A1 continues to change and to explore creativity and community in many ways, even as to its own nature. In a way, A1 is like an ongoing, developing work of long-term performance art in itself.
A1 had its beginnings in the 1990s, with a small group of young artists who were not part of the Knoxville art "establishment" Dogwood Arts Festival. Among other things, they shared an interest in independent film and video, and they conducted screenings and related activities at various places around town. They recognized the opportunity to create a new kind of artist organization to explore different ways of creating and displaying art and different means of interaction with the community.
The group formally organized as a Tennessee nonprofit corporation on February 15, 1995. The original registered name for the corporation was "LAB: the Knoxville Intermedia Arts Cooperative, Inc." In 2001 the board of directors changed the registered name to "A1LabArts," a name which alludes both to a laboratory for creative experimentation and also to colLABoration. The corporation has remained in continuous existence since 1995. In 1996 it was certified by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that charitable contributions to A1 are tax-deductible, a status which remains in effect currently.
Throughout A1's existence, its members have organized and supported a wide range of exhibits, performances, workshops and classes, discussion groups, collaborations between A1 members and also between A1 and other organizations, participation in community events, and other activities -- some of which are difficult to categorize and some of which have become legendary. A1 members have supported all kinds of creative work, including visual art in two and three dimensions, time-based art such as video, performance art, theater, written and spoken word, music, dance, multi-media events, and more.
A1 has a long and close involvement with education, with benefits flowing back and forth between A1 and students. Many members have been professional art educators, from elementary school to university level. In addition, A1 and its members have occasionally presented one-time art workshops and demonstrations as special events to supplement the regular curriculum at schools and youth organizations. A1 has also sponsored exhibits of student work at all grade levels, and has provided many young artists with their first opportunity to show their work in a gallery setting (A1 has often had its own gallery space, although at present it does not).
A1 has tried many different things and has, along with its membership, naturally changed over the years. Hundreds of creative people have been members at one time or another over the years, many of them achieving significant recognition locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally. A1 continues to change and to explore creativity and community in many ways, even as to its own nature. In a way, A1 is like an ongoing, developing work of long-term performance art in itself.
Cultural Diversity Statement
A1LabArts embraces the richness of the cultural diversity of the greater Knoxville metropolitan area it serves and ascribes to the following philosophy:
A1LabArts actively participates and develops arts venues in Knoxville by its working board and member volunteers.
A1LabArts embraces the richness of the cultural diversity of the greater Knoxville metropolitan area it serves and ascribes to the following philosophy:
- Cultural diversity is a strength of our society that should be recognized, encouraged and affirmed by its arts and cultural institutions.
- A1LabArts provides areas of common ground where people are encouraged to come together in a spirit of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
- Therefore, in all areas of its operations—including governance, staffing, exhibiting, educating, interpreting, performing and promoting—A1LabArts shall strive to reflect the cultural diversity of its constituencies and act as a catalyst for raising awareness of other cultures, traditions and belief systems both within and beyond our service area.
A1LabArts actively participates and develops arts venues in Knoxville by its working board and member volunteers.
- Develop educational events and activities including, but not limited to, presentations, lectures, seminars, forums and published text materials that introduce community audiences to contemporary forms of art.
- A1LabArts actively participates and develops arts venues in Knoxville by its working board and volunteers through various committees.
- Provide opportunities for community artists to showcase their works.
- Establish new and appreciative audiences for interdisciplinary arts in order to support the works of interactive artists throughout the community
- Act as clearing house through which artists can advertise their works and contact other artists throughout the country.