2023/2024 ANNUAL REPORT

ART SHAPES THE PLACES WE LOVE

A journey through the arts in Chattanooga & Hamilton County

Since 1969, a group of committed individuals and organizations have been working together to make the arts in Chattanooga and Hamilton County accessible to all. The vibrant place we live today is made brighter, wiser and more enjoyable because of the arts, and arts supporters. Here’s to another 55 years and beyond!

Drag the slider to see the impact!

Everywhere you look, you see the impact of the arts.

arts education impacting every learning community

public art energizing our streets, parks, buildings and spaces

arts funding investing in artists and art organizations

arts partners supporting access to the arts for everyone

arts programs helping artist entrepreneurs make dreams reality

arts experiences growing tourism and the arts economy

arts leadership building the next generation of the arts

arts advocacy championing the role of the arts in our lives and futures

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear friends,

We often joke here at ArtsBuild that not a week goes by without some exciting event, performance, project, or program happening supported by ArtsBuild. And it’s true. Every day, we are reminded of the incredible impact the arts have on our community, and we take immense pride in being part of this dynamic and thriving ecosystem.  Together, we continue to make Chattanooga a great place to live, work, create, and play!

As we look ahead, we recognize that the landscape for the arts is shifting. It is becoming clear that the arts and culture sector faces challenges that could affect how, when, and where creativity is supported and expressed.
From funding cuts to growing restrictions on the kinds of work that can be produced and shared, we know that the very freedom that fuels the arts is at risk.

It is more important than ever to reaffirm the value of the individuals who make up our arts community: the artists, the educators, the administrators, and the visionaries who help bring our city to life. It’s their energy, their passion, and their creativity that shapes the stories we tell and the culture we celebrate. The need to ensure their continued support and opportunity is paramount.

Despite these challenges, ArtsBuild has remained committed to our mission of building stronger communities through the arts. Over the past few years, we have expanded our efforts to support arts education, arts organizations, and individual artists. We’ve increased the number of grants we provide directly to artists. We’ve launched Periscope, an entrepreneurial training program designed specifically for artists of all disciplines. Our Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute has seen some of its largest classes ever, and our Opportunity Fellows program continues to place talented young people in meaningful, paid internships within local arts and culture organizations. Additionally, studies like the Chattanooga Music Census and the Arts and Economic Prosperity Study 6 have helped us demonstrate the $191 million economic impact of our local arts sector.

The path forward for the local arts sector is not guaranteed. The challenges our arts community face require us to be proactive, strategic, and vocal in our support of artists and the organizations that sustain them. If we don’t continue to invest in and advocate for the creative sector, we risk losing the very individuals and organizations that define our cultural identity.

This year’s annual report highlights the powerful impact ArtsBuild and the arts sector have on our region. Recently, we had the honor of hosting the commissioners of the Tennessee Arts Commission, and one of them remarked, “In Chattanooga, everywhere there is art, there is development.” It’s a fitting reflection of the truth: the arts are not only a cornerstone of our region’s growth and sustainability—they are also what give Chattanooga its unique character, shaping the vibrant, creative identity that we proudly share with the world.

Your continued support is more crucial than ever. It is because of you—our donors, partners, and supporters—that we can continue to build stronger communities through the arts. Together, we can ensure that the arts remain a vital and unshakable force in Chattanooga.

With deepest gratitude,

James McKissic
ArtsBuild President

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Together, we are building the future of the arts.