Short Summary
We are starting a movement. Modern Studio is a center for community, a vibrant performance space, and a maker studio. We will broadcast events to a global audience using the best live streaming technology. We will empower citizens with outreach programs. And we will give artists a space for their craft.
Why Knoxville?
Knoxville is a great place, but we found something missing: an acoustic venue that can be a home for professional theatre and performers who may not get booked at other spaces in town.
Burke and I want to bring our expertise in making beautiful things, promoting events and mixing tech and the arts to bear on a fantastic spot in Knoxville that is about to explode with opportunity and nightlife.
But this isn't just for Knoxville. We'll be live streaming webinars and performances, producing podcasts and videos, making garments and promoting artisans for customers and viewers around the world. Get a front row seat to innovation!
What We Need & What You Get
We’ve found the perfect space for Modern Studio, and are working with a great team of realtors who support our vision. We need at least $10,000.00 to secure the building, but our goal is to raise $75,000.00 to fully realize our vision for our multi-use facility. Modern Studio is comprised of several moving parts:
- an acoustic venue that supports local professional acting companies,
- a sewing studio that offers sewing classes, custom garments, and supplies,
- a handmade retail component to support local makers,
- a multi-media production studio
- a daytime co-working space for local entrepreneurs who wish to take their work out of their home office
We'll also be hosting educational and community outreach programs. Imagine teaching middle schoolers to produce podcasts, or teaching high school kids to sew their own clothes.
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Funding Needs:
Each component is unique with its own set of funding goals (we'll be breaking these down more in days to come!):
- Theatre/Venue Stage (stage, sound and lighting, etc.) - $25,000.00
- Modern Seamstress (furniture, sewing machines, fabric supplies, mannequins) - $7,000.00
- Superpixel Studio (podcast booth, recording & live streaming gear) - $7,000.00
- Co-working (furniture, high speed internet, coffee station) - $7,000.00
- Retail (display cases, POS system, etc.) - $4,000.00
- Four Months Rent (incredibly reasonable rent for such a space) - $10,000.00
- Operating Costs/Additional Technology Build-Out (utilities, cleaning supplies, temp hires, etc.) - $15,000.00
The Impact
Modern Studio is truly unique. There is no venue space of its kind that also includes multi-media production, and support of local artists and makers. A purely acoustic venue, Modern Studio will provide a home to local professional acting companies that have long needed a stable, supportive environment, as well as provide an accessible performance space for local musicians and instrumental/vocal groups. During the day, our space will be transformed to offer quiet co-working space for local entrepreneurs needing a break from their home offices.
Given the unique nature of the performance space, some of our cost includes installing recording facilities for music performances. Also, live streaming capabilities will allow performers to share their sessions with the world, expanding their reach and building a truly global audience.
The addition of a sewing studio that teaches sewing classes, offers handmade bespoke garments, and provides a selection of garment fabric and tools will support a maker collective including handmade goods from artists living & creating in Knoxville, TN. Working off a consignment model, Modern Studio will provide an accessible retail space while taking only 20% of the sale allowing local artists to house their goods in a reputable space while profiting from the partnership and continuing to grow their handmade business.
Modern Studio is more than a small business - it is a movement supporting fine arts, local makers, and multimedia technology in a way that enhances our local community. Our fundamental values of accessibility, support and community outreach are what make us a truly unique venue and business venture.
Risks & Challenges
Modern Studio is one of a few “maker collectives” across the United States, and will boast an even more rare acoustic-only venue. We believe our “back to basics” approach will be welcomed as we seek to revive the love of performing arts and handmade goods with the technological efficiency that is required for successful business ventures. Of course, Knoxville has a lot of stages. Ours will be unique with its focus on theatre and acoustic performances. Our expertise in technology and performance will allow us to reach a global audience, promoting Knoxville and visiting artists.
Who is making this?
Burke Brewer
CEO, Co-founder
A decade of volunteering at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute led Burke Brewer to obtain a BA in Psychology and MS in Counseling from the University of Tennessee. Burke began her professional career as a legal advocate for individuals with disabilities before transitioning to a position with Vocational Rehabilitation as an employment consultant. Burke was instrumental in working with local hospitals to ensure sign language interpreters for the deaf, and worked with clients from across the region to secure employment. In 2012 she moved to St. Simons Island, GA, and during that time led a children’s choir, maintained an active voice studio, worked to build and market the music program at her church, and tutored a student with disabilities. She has extensive experience working with and booking musicians, as well as organizing concert events.
In 2013 Burke began and managed a textile recycling program as part of an inner city mission. The profits from the textiles were used to help those living in poverty in the area. At that time, Burke vowed to make all her own clothes and reduce her personal consumption. Soon after, Burke noticed that her personal body image and self-esteem improved, and that she no longer cared about what she had once perceived as body flaws. She founded Modern Seamstress in 2015 with this empowerment in mind.
Burke now runs a successful employment consulting business in addition to offering sewing classes and bespoke garments through Modern Seamstress. The goal of Modern Seamstress is simple – to empower women to love their bodies, make thoughtful decisions about their personal consumption, and teach a timeless creative skill. In her free time, Burke sings with the Knoxville Opera chorus, creates her own clothing, and manages two creative businesses.
Victor Agreda, Jr.
CTO, Co-founder
Blogger turned Editor-in-Chief, Victor Agreda boasts more than 10 years experience in the media and content marketing field. Victor has managed DownloadSquad, Engadget Spanish, Autoblog Spanish, launched DIYLife, and grew The Unofficial Apple Weblog for AOL by over 300%. As a trusted leader, Victor managed a team across the world, and provided trusted reviews and coverage of Apple products upholding the highest journalistic standards, with a monthly audience of over 3 million. During his time at TUAW, Victor tested thousands of apps, and worked closely with developers and innovators in the technology field.
Victor holds degrees from the University of Tennessee (English) as well as Watkins in Nashville (Film Editing). His love of film encouraged him to start Superpixel in 1999, a successful multimedia production studio. Victor has since created content for television and the web, and has been a speaker at SXSW and 360 Intersect, and has been interviewed on BBC Radio and Fox Business News. Since 2013, Victor has also been WATE’s Tech Expert.
Victor’s passion lies in storytelling and empowering local businesses and individuals in the region. He hopes to bring together Knoxville businesses and creatives, in order to make Knoxville more inclusive and creator-friendly. Victor lives in Fountain City, and has two children, Belle (14), and Weston (12). He’s performed magic and comedy for Mayor Rogero and Ashley Capps, and is a mentor for this year’s MediaWorks program at the Knoxville Entrepreneurial Center.
Carolyn Corley
Founder of KPAX
Carolyn Corley is an actor, director and certified project manager (PMP) who channels her professional skills into myriad outlets. Her mild-mannered alter ego is a project controls analyst at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s High Flux Isotope Reactor, where she oversees long-term planning, and develops and tracks schedules for facility maintenance and upgrade projects. As a freelancer, she also provides operational support to several area non-profits, including the Oak Ridge Chapter of the U.S. Women in Nuclear, Circle Modern Dance, and Tennessee State Company.
Carolyn was born in Maryland, grown in New Mexico and now thrives in East Tennessee. She made her acting debut in Knoxville in 2008 as Chrissy in Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa” with the Wild Thyme Players. She has since performed in stage, TV, and film productions with numerous companies including Theatre Knoxville Downtown, Tennessee Stage Company, Jupiter Entertainment and NolPix Media.
Carolyn created the Knoxville Performing Arts Exchange in order to provide a stable, affordable venue to local performing arts groups in Knoxville. Learn more here.
Details on the moving parts in this video:
Assist with building studio furniture
Assist with studio set-up
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