Arts Advocacy

Government funding is essential to the Bijou Theatre’s ability to provide arts access, education, and entertainment for all in East Tennessee. Each year, the Bijou hosts and presents over 160 public events, serving more than 90,000 people with diverse performances, educational programs, and community-centered events like our Bijou Imagination Series and Locals Only Live Series. These efforts, along with many others, are made possible thanks to the support of local, state, and federal agencies. By advocating for the arts, you can help us continue to offer these opportunities to our community. Your voice matters in ensuring that the arts thrive in Tennessee.

Here’s how you can get involved:

The Bijou Theatre is grateful to the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Tennessee Specialty License Plate Program for their generous support of our Bijou Imagination Series and Locals Only Live Series. These grants help us continue to bring educational performances and community-driven events to the Knoxville area. The State of Tennessee offers more than 100 specialty license plates, including the Arts Specialty Plate. By purchasing an Arts Specialty License Plate, you are directly supporting the Bijou Theatre and countless other arts organizations throughout Tennessee.

Show your support for the arts in Tennessee with a specialty license plate! The cost is $61.50 annually. Proceeds from the sales of these plates provided nearly 80% of the funds for all state grant awards to arts organizations in Tennessee last year. This program is a critical source of funding that supports access to the arts for millions of people across Tennessee.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study, the most comprehensive of its kind, demonstrates that arts and culture are significant drivers of economic activity. Nationally, nonprofit arts and culture organizations, like the Bijou Theatre, generated $151.7 billion in economic activity in 2022—$73.3 billion from organizations themselves and an additional $78.4 billion from event-related spending by audiences. This activity supported 2.6 million jobs and generated $29.1 billion in tax revenue.

For Knoxville, the arts contribute to local jobs, government revenue, and tourism. When audiences attend events at the Bijou Theatre, they also support local businesses, spending on dining, transportation, and other services, with attendees spending an average of $38.46 per event beyond ticket costs. Importantly, 86% of Americans believe the arts improve quality of life, and 79% say the arts are essential to local economies and jobs.

The study also emphasizes the importance of equity and inclusion in arts funding, highlighting how arts organizations, including those serving BIPOC communities, contribute equally to this national impact.

The arts truly build vibrant, livable communities and are a crucial part of Knoxville’s cultural and economic fabric. By supporting the Bijou Theatre and arts funding, you help sustain a thriving local economy and a rich cultural landscape for future generations.

Let your elected officials know that their support for the arts matters. Government leaders at all levels play a crucial role in approving funding for the arts, and their decisions directly impact the Bijou Theatre and other cultural organizations that serve our community. By advocating for the arts, you help ensure that Knoxville remains a vibrant hub for culture and creativity. Click the links below to reach out:

• Gov. Bill Lee – Contact Governor Lee
• Sen. Bill Hagerty – Contact Senator Hagerty
• Sen. Marsha Blackburn – Contact Senator Blackburn
• U.S. House of Representatives – Use the Find Your Representative tool to locate your U.S. representative.
• Tennessee General Assembly – Use the Find My Legislator tool to find your state senator or representative.
• Mayor Indya Kincannon (City of Knoxville) – Contact Mayor Kincannon
• Knoxville City Council – Use the District Lookup tool to find your city council member.
• Mayor Glenn Jacobs (Knox County) – Contact Mayor Jacobs
• Knox County Commission – Use the District Map to find your Knox County Commissioner.