Tri-Star Arts

The Current Art Fund is a partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation to distribute project grants to Tennessee based artists. Tri-Star Arts holds grant workshops in each region of Tennessee and also one recorded workshop online. We reach out to the Tennessee Arts Commission other arts organizations the press and Tennessee-based artists to inform them about the grant opportunity. Four jurors are selected to review and score applications. Eight grants of $7500 each are awarded to artists in West Middle and East Tennessee. Over the course of the grant period Tri-Star Arts leadership meets with grantees to receive project updates and assist them in any way possible.

A major statewide event featuring exhibitions in 16+ venues and museums across Tennessee. Exhibitions and projects will respond to a common theme. The Tennessee Triennial features local national and international artists and occurs every three years. The 2023 Tennessee Triennial gave grants to participating selected venues to assist them with their exhibitions. Some of these grants were paid in the previous fiscal year and some were paid in this fiscal year.

Tri-Star Arts produces 4-5 art exhibitions and 4-5 project space exhibitions each year at the Candoro Marble Building in Knoxville. We commission innovative and experimental work in group or solo exhibitions by emerging and established artists alike. The exhibitions feature sculpture installation and new media art. Half of the exhibiting artists practice in Tennessee and half practice in other parts of the nation or world. Audiences are eager to hear from exhibiting artists and we provide a recorded artist talk for each exhibition. We also host 4 artist studios and artist workshops classes at the Candoro Marble Building. All programs at the building are in partnership with the Aslan Foundation.

Locatearts.org is a web resource promoting contemporary art exhibitions currently on view in Tennessee. The website hosts a visual artist directory accessible to any person looking to discover and connect with contemporary artists throughout the state. Studio visits and art interviews that are published on the blog highlight contemporary art in Tennessee and provide special insight into artist practices. Locatearts.org is continually updated and utilized as a resource for finding contemporary art in Tennessee. Per year the website displays at least 700 contemporary art exhibitions that are on view 200 contemporary artists profiles and blog posts studio visits and interviews. Locatearts.org receives 20,500+ unique visitors per year.