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AIR Institute

Thriving Creative Communities

  • Workshops & Programs
    • Art Builds Business Builds Art Workshop
    • Shift Workshop
    • Evolve Program
    • Higher Education
    • High School
  • Participating States
    • Kentucky
    • North Carolina
    • Ohio
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
  • Facilitators
  • Impact
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  • About
    • HISTORY
    • LEADERSHIP
    • Creative Economies

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THRIVING CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

Our Vision

The emergence of more vibrant and enterprising communities through the generation of greater value for the arts and creativity.

Our Mission

To create a culture and sense of place that values creativity of all expressions and sustains artists and communities. To provide education, resources, and support to elevate artistic careers and organizations throughout Appalachia.


Creativity helps
humanity thrive

What if more of us developed our creativity? And then we applied that creativity to everything we do. What new ventures would be started? What revolutionary ideas would emerge?

The world would be different. And not just for artists and people in the art world, but for all of us.

It sounds so simple. And yet, so much of our society is broken into silos, dividing those who are “creative” and those who aren’t.

The AIR Institute Story

You don’t need a silver bullet, big check, or a savior.

We help you listen better and ask hard questions.

You’ll find new allies and succeed together.

What makes our programs unique is cross-sector collaboration – we serve artists, business people, educators, and the community together.

We teach design thinking, business planning, and entrepreneurial spirit using the latest business development strategies and tactics.

ABBBA Workshop

Assess your creative economy & partnerships

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Shift Workshop

Your community planning & learning together

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Evolve Program

Help launch your local creative ventures for success

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THE SHIFT WORKSHOP STORY

Appalachian creative economies network

Participating States

ARC Designated States

AIR is helping seven states grow one of Appalachia’s most under-appreciated assets— its rich history and culture of making and creating.

Click on the interactive map to learn more about each individual state or follow the link below to learn more about the whole network.

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COMMUNITY PROJECT STORY

Join the movement

We’re on a mission to raise the value of arts and culture in every community. We believe that our human, creative, nature is what can solve our ills – if we can get folks together to collaborate and create together.

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We’ve got a plan and a process that you can use in your community to help bring together the artists, creative types, makers, crafters AND the farmers, mechanics, accountants, lawyers, restaurant owners, outfitters, and retail store owners who are all trying to figure out how to thrive in the new economy and fast-paced world.

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ABOUT BEREA

Berea, Kentucky is home to a thriving population of weavers, instrument makers, furniture artisans, jewelry designers, glass workers, potters, painters, sculptors, writers, poets, and musicians.

The story of Berea’s artisan community is interwoven with Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South.

ABOUT US

The AIR Institute is an empowering ecosystem that provides artists, businesses and communities the tools, resources, and support to learn, connect, and succeed.

The AIR Institute merges the creativity of the arts with the innovation of business to raise the value of arts and creativity in all our communities.

Contact Us

210 Center Street
CPO 2179
Berea, KY 40404
Phone: 859-985-3195
Email: info@airInstitute.org

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