About Us

The NTG partners with numerous non-profits and schools in making the arts accessible to individuals in the community that would otherwise not be involved.  Some of these partnerships include Community House Cooperative (CHC), Noah’s Ark, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross and the school systems.  They participate in our performances in a variety of ways and Guild members often perform at their functions to raise money. Recently we have begun negotiation to help sponsor a youth performance troupe with CHC. A major effort was begun this year to diversify our board of directors.  We now have seniors, youth, people of color ,with disabilities, and living below the poverty line represented on our board.  This has allowed us the opportunity to reach a much broader audience. Young people and disadvantaged youth have been involved with our productions as both performers and as audience members.  In February 2006 the Guild sponsored “an Evening with Cole Porter.”  The Cocke County High School chorus and band provided the vast majority of the entertainment for a formal dinner theatre.  Family members of the youth were provided with discounted and free tickets in order to see their child perform.  Most of these families had never attended a theatrical performance of any kind.  In December 2006 we performed “A Christmas Carol” complete with a chorus and orchestra, mostly from the schools.   Many of the cast members were also students.  The pre-show entertainment was from the local grade schools.  On the last week of the performance the area grade schools were offered $2 tickets to see the show for a special morning performance.  Almost 800 rural children attended with the vast majority eligible for free and reduced lunches and had never been to Knoxville.        ARTS Advocacy   The NTG promotes the arts at every opportunity.  We co-sponsor other community groups in their efforts to present productions and shows.  Community House Cooperative has many youth arts programs for at-risk you in the community.  We assist them with fund-raising and even provide entertainment when called on to assist.  The Fine Arts and Craft Guild regularly uses our facilities and we co-sponsor all their events. Board members participate in arts organizations and meetings throughout the state. Our   One board member is a founding member(  Jamie Kridler) of the East Tennessee Regional Arts and Culture Commission for the 9 Counties One Vision group and our part-time artistic director belongs as well.  One board member has traveled to Nashville with JustUs Troupe Youth Performance group to present a program for the Tennessee general assembly.  We work with this group that is sponsored by Community House Cooperative.  We are active in writing to and visiting with our state representatives in order to promote the arts.  Some of our members have ARTS license tags for their vehicles and donate to organizations promoting the arts.