Knoxville Community Media (KCM), a vital pillar of local free speech, civic engagement, and government transparency since 1975, proudly announces its 50th Anniversary Celebration. To honor a half-century of service, KCM will host a free, two-day multimedia festival from Friday, June 5, through Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The weekend’s main festivities will take place at Knoxville’s long-standing nonprofit music and arts venue, The Pilot Light, with two special performances scheduled just a few blocks away at The Point. In keeping with KCM’s mission of public access, the entire festival is completely free to the community.
For 50 years, KCM has provided gavel-to-gavel coverage of local government meetings, ensuring Knoxville and Knox County residents have full access to local democracy. Beyond public broadcasting, KCM has served as an essential community platform, empowering residents with media and storytelling life-skills training, and offering an outlet for local nonprofits, educational institutions, and grassroots groups to share their values.
“Serving Knoxville since 1975, KCM has been a beacon of government transparency, civic engagement, and free speech in our community,” said [Spokesperson Name/Title]. “We look forward to celebrating this massive milestone with the community we love, and we look forward to serving Knoxville for the next 50 years.”
The 50th Anniversary Celebration will feature an incredibly diverse, eclectic lineup spanning traditional storytelling, puppetry, independent film, animation, immersive sound experiences, and live musical performances. Highlights of the multi-media lineup include:
- Knoxville Histories & Traditions: Presentations from the East Tennessee History Center, traditional storytelling from Tommy Oaks (“Daddy Amos’ Dogs”), and a performance by Jon K. Shell on the Great Highland Bagpipe.
- Archival Improvisations: Special live improvisations set to historic KCM archival footage by Matt Nelson and the Out Series.
- Music & Sound Art: Performances by a wide array of artists, including Big Kitty, Sensor Ghost, Joseph Allred, Duck Butter, Maspeth, Bare Trees, Rubens Ghenov, and FKA ICE.
- Special Showcases & Features: A regional hip-hop showcase featuring Loch Brown, Geonovah, and Junie; a Jackson Avenue Gospel Revival; animations paired with live music by John Kelly; and an exclusive sound installation by Artist-in-Residence Lintang Radittya.
- Community Engagement: Interactive sessions including Community Storytelling with Ari Clibanoff, alongside performances by Maddie McCollough, Lots of Hands, and MSHR.
KCM extends its deepest gratitude to the local event partners, artists, and volunteers who have made this milestone celebration possible. Residents, media creators, and supporters of independent local culture are all invited to come out and celebrate 50 years of community-driven media.
For more information about the event timeline, programming schedules, or how to get involved with Knoxville Community Media, please visit www.knoxcm.org.
About Knoxville Community Media (KCM)
Established in 1975, Knoxville Community Media is a non-profit public access media center dedicated to fostering democracy, free expression, and civic engagement. KCM provides the residents of Knoxville and Knox County with comprehensive coverage of local government, media literacy training, and a vital public platform to share their unique stories, beliefs, and dreams.
