About Us

The Creative Arts Co-op is founded on the belief that human nature is creative. And it is our responsiblilty to encourage creative expression - whether through theatre or painting or dance. It is the abiity to use that creativity- to see things differently and to be able to communicate it to others - that offers endless opportunities.

From the time hunters sat around fires and told about the big hunt or 'the one that got away' to Shakespeare's sonnets, we have been story tellers. Whether we paint it, sing it, dance it or write it, it is our story. And we should not be afraid or unable to tell it. The Creative Arts Co-op hopes to offer students an avenue to tell their story.

* * *

The Creative Arts Co-op has been active in Roane County since 2002. Since its inception, the Co-op has tried to expand its creative offerings to the public.

A brief timeline:

Fall 2002 Began offering after school art classes, and NOIZE! program

Summer 2003 Summer camps in June - art camp, performance camp, and

Pre-K camp (program began with ETCA)

Fall 2003 Added young theatre classes to class line-up

Spring 2004 Added home school art program

Began Spring Break Art Camp for elementary age students

Summer 2004 Began adult community theatre project with debut of

Catfish Moon by Laddy Sartin

Began summer enrichment programs at area daycare

Fall 2004 Added dance program - ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and

creative movement

Fall 2005 Began art program with challenged students

Spring 2006 Launched professional acting troupe with Murder Mysteries

on the Watts Bar Belle

Fall 2006 Expanded adult theatre program into year round program

Added NOIZE! Fall Break Camp for elementary and middle

schoolers

Added Show Choir program to fall schedule

Moved to larger studio location

Spring 2007 Launched the high school level musical production with debut

of Beauty & the Beast by Eric Stedman

Summer 2007 Expanded summer camp programs to encompass all grades and

added show choir mini camp.

Launched 'Murder a la Mode' summer murder mystery series at Holy Joe's.

Summer 2008 Expanded 'Murder a la Mode' murder mystery series at Holy Joe's.

Fall 2008 Launched part-time pre-school program - Monday through Thursday.

Began working with public elementary schools in after achool program

Summer 2009 Debuted Children's Mystery Theatre

Spring 2010 Opened the Creative Arts Co-op Visual and Performing Arts Center

Doubled summer camps offerings

Summer 2010 Debuted 'The Comedy Experiment' - live sketch comedy show