Discover the Arts at McKinney Center: Jonesborough's Creative Hub

McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School Introduce

Nestled in the charming and historic town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School stands as a cornerstone of artistic and cultural enrichment for the entire region. Far more than just an art gallery, this multi-use facility serves as a vibrant hub for creativity, education, and community gathering. For anyone in Northeast Tennessee with an interest in the fine and performing arts, or seeking a unique venue for events, the McKinney Center offers a rich array of opportunities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging look at what makes the McKinney Center a cherished local point of interest, detailing its mission, offerings, and why it's a valuable asset to our local community.

The McKinney Center operates under the umbrella of Jonesborough's Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts, with a clear mission to provide a comprehensive program that teaches various art skills to all participants through a quality program of instruction open to all segments of Jonesborough's population. This commitment to accessibility and quality education is evident in its wide variety of classes in fine and performing arts, catering to all ages and skill levels, from young beginners to seasoned adults. Beyond its educational mandate, the center also plays a significant role in showcasing regional artistic talent through various art exhibits and juried shows each year, offering a platform for local artists and enriching the cultural landscape for residents and visitors alike. Its dedication to fostering artistic appreciation and participation makes the McKinney Center a true gem in Tennessee's oldest town.

The McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School is conveniently located at 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN 37659, USA. This address places it within the historic district of Jonesborough, making it an accessible and recognizable landmark for residents throughout Washington County and surrounding areas like Johnson City, Greeneville, and Erwin. Its location in the heart of Tennessee's oldest town adds to its charm and appeal, offering visitors the chance to combine their artistic pursuits with an exploration of Jonesborough's rich history and other local attractions. While situated in a historic area, the facility itself underwent renovations in 2012 to include modern conveniences, ensuring a comfortable experience for all patrons. Public transportation options are generally limited in historic small towns, so personal vehicle travel is typically the primary mode of access. However, the presence of an on-site parking lot, as noted in reviews, alleviates concerns about finding a place to park, making visits to the McKinney Center straightforward and hassle-free for locals.

Services Offered:

Arts Education Programs: A wide variety of classes are offered in both fine and performing arts for all ages and skill levels. This includes visual arts (drawing, painting, pottery, mosaics, printmaking, jewelry making), music (including instrumental lessons like fiddle, dulcimer, and guitar), dance, theatre, film, and writing.
Comprehensive Curricula: The educational programs follow a curriculum-based approach, often structured by semester (Fall, Spring, Summer), with classes for children (ages 3-8, 8-10, teens) and adults, ranging from introductory "Adventures" for young artists to "Imagination" programs for teens/adults exploring various art styles and "Technique" for foundational skills.
Art Exhibitions and Juried Shows: The center hosts several art exhibits and juried shows annually, including a changing "Artists Exhibition Series" showcasing regional two-dimensional and three-dimensional talent, as well as themed or group exhibitions. Works are often available for purchase.
Event Venue Rental: The McKinney Center serves as a popular event venue, offering several sizes of spaces for rent, including an auditorium (accommodating 125-200 guests with tables/chairs or chairs only, respectively) and classrooms suitable for smaller gatherings (up to 50 guests). These spaces are ideal for wedding receptions, anniversary parties, reunions, corporate dinners, meetings, and seminars.
On-Site Kitchen: For event rentals, a warming kitchen is available for an additional fee, equipped with a commercial ice machine, refrigerator/freezer, and stove with dual ovens, facilitating catering needs.
Technology Packages: Event spaces like the auditorium offer available technology packages including sound, lighting, and projections for various functions.
Set-up and Breakdown Services: Rental fees for events typically include the provision and arrangement of tables and chairs, along with set-up and breakdown services.

Features / Highlights:

Historic Building with Modern Amenities: Housed in the beautifully renovated Booker T. Washington School, the McKinney Center retains its vintage charm while offering modern conveniences like Wi-Fi and accessible restrooms, providing a unique and comfortable environment.
Multi-Use Facility: Its dual role as an arts education center and an event venue makes it a versatile asset to the community, serving diverse needs from learning to celebration.
Focus on Regional Artists: The "Artists Exhibition Series" and juried shows specifically highlight the work of local and regional artists, providing them a platform and enriching the cultural experience for visitors.
Dedicated Arts Program: Operating under Jonesborough's Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts, the center benefits from a dedicated focus on comprehensive arts programming, ensuring high-quality instruction and diverse offerings.
Various Class Levels: The thoughtful design of its art education curriculum caters to all skill levels, from absolute beginners to advanced students looking to hone specific techniques or build portfolios.
Community Engagement: The center actively works to inspire community members through both appreciation and participation in the arts, serving as a hub for personal and collective expression.
Versatile Event Spaces: With an auditorium and classrooms, the center can accommodate events ranging from intimate gatherings to larger receptions, offering flexibility for event planners.

Contact Information:

Address: 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN 37659, USA

Phone: (423) 753-0562

For residents across Tennessee, particularly those in and around the Tri-Cities area, the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School in Jonesborough stands out as an exceptionally suitable and valuable local resource. Its multifaceted role as an arts education hub, an art gallery, and a versatile event venue directly addresses numerous community needs, making it an indispensable part of our local cultural landscape.

Firstly, its core mission of providing comprehensive arts education for all ages and skill levels is a tremendous benefit to local families. Whether it’s a young child exploring art for the first time, a teenager delving into musical theater, or an adult picking up a new instrument, the McKinney Center offers accessible and high-quality instruction right here in our backyard. This fosters creativity, discipline, and confidence in individuals, enriching their lives and contributing to a more artistically engaged community without the need to travel far for specialized programs. The structure of their curricula ensures a progressive learning path, allowing individuals to grow their skills within a supportive local environment.

Secondly, as a venue for art exhibits and juried shows, the McKinney Center provides a vital platform for local and regional artists. This not only allows our talented neighbors to showcase their work, but also offers a consistent opportunity for locals to experience and appreciate diverse forms of art, enriching our cultural understanding and supporting the local arts economy. The ability to view and even purchase art created by individuals from our own region fosters a unique connection between the community and its creative output.

Lastly, the center's function as a popular event venue offers a convenient and historic setting for a wide range of local gatherings. From weddings and family reunions to corporate meetings, having a well-equipped and charming space like the McKinney Center available locally simplifies event planning for residents. Its blend of historic character with modern amenities, including an on-site kitchen and ample parking, makes it a practical and attractive choice for various occasions. While one vendor review highlighted challenges during a specific outdoor event, the overall breadth of services and positive feedback on the educational and exhibition aspects confirm its general suitability for locals seeking engagement with the arts or a convenient local venue. The McKinney Center truly embodies the spirit of community engagement through the arts, making it a proud and valuable asset to Jonesborough and surrounding Tennessee communities.

McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School Photos

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McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School Location

McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School

Tennessee Washington County Jonesborough Franklin Avenue

103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN 37659, USA

McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School Reviews

One of the most appalling things I've ever experienced as an vendor. Through some sort of scheduling error made internally there was several other events happening the same weekend that completely overshadowed this one and no one sold anything. You had to be lucky to even break even on the price of the tables. Most outdoor tables had no access to electricity the whole weekend. Also in 90 degree heat not once did the staff offer any water at all (at least not to me). Nearing the last two hours of the event it became clear that there was going to be huge amounts of rain. There was seemingly no staff helping people quickly break down the booths and leave. They watched from the windows as everyone scrambled to get their wares (which didn't sell) to their cars in the rain. The parking lot was flooded and was washing things away as people tried to pack alone in some cases. Ridiculous. Honestly one of the most absurd things I've ever witnessed. Mishandled in every single way. If you were staff at this event and didn't help until after all the outdoor vendors were already rained on you should be ashamed of yourselves. I will never do anything related to the McKinney Center or the people running it ever again. The level of irresponsibility present was not something I ever thought I would see from vendor staff.
May 21, 2022 · Mahogany Loggins
Arts academy offering a wide variety of classes in fine and performing arts for all ages and skill levels. Also a popular events venue, with several sizes of spaces, on site kitchen, and parking lot. Acoustics are better for some kinds of events than others. Hosts several nice art exhibits and juried shows each year, too.
Aug 03, 2017 · Deborah Burger
Some time ago, members of the Jonesborough community decided to make a dream come true - we needed an arts center, and where better to have it than in an old school. The old place had a long and venerable history beginning as an elementary school for African-American children. After desegregation, the building still lay deeply rooted in the community, as children were brought there from all over Jonesborough for extra classes. Later, the building was used as storage for the school system, and late fell into disrepair. Enter director Richard Geer and the community play, I Am Home, during which the community rediscovered the old treasure and decided to renovate. Five years later, the building is now a strong presence in the community with classes, gallery showings and more. So glad I Am Home.
Dec 06, 2015 · Saundra Kelley
The McKinney Center is a wonderful and versatile facility for the people of Jonesborough and our region to enjoy everything from art classes, art exhibits and more. THANK YOU for hosting JRT and their USO Show during Covid 19. Such a wonderful example of how working together makes Jonesborough special.
Jul 08, 2020 · Mike Musick
We had a small wedding here last year. The staff were so helpful and friendly to deal with and the facility was very nice
Mar 14, 2021 · Brianne McCasland