In 1993, Arizona native Kraig Foote opened Art One Gallery, Inc. in Old Town Scottsdale Arts District with a singular purpose: to provide gallery space for local student and emerging Arizona artists. Kraig's motivation came from living with an ASU art instructor who allowed students to create at their home due to a lack of resources. This experience illuminated the untapped potential of these gifted students who were struggling without proper support to flourish in the art world. With his design expertise and an established client base, Kraig took this realization to the next level, founding his own gallery after an inspiring moment when he wrote "Open a gallery for student artists" on his bedroom chalkboard one night.

As an extension of the Scottsdale gallery, the Art One Foundation is a separate nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting underprivileged student artists. It was founded to provide financial aid, art supplies, tuition assistance, and other art-related expenses to up-and-coming high school and college artists. With strong community support, the foundation has positively impacted the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of student artists.