ABOUT ARTSBUILD

Building Stronger Communities Through the Arts

Since 1969, ArtsBuild has served as Chattanooga’s local arts agency – a nonprofit that has partnered with artists, arts organizations, educators, and community leaders for more than 50 years to make the arts a central part of life in Hamilton County. We advocate for public funding, invest in programs that bring the arts to every corner of our community, and serve as the connective tissue between the people who make art and the systems that support it.

MISSION & VISION

Why We Do What We Do

Our Mission

To build stronger communities through the arts.

Our Vision

More arts. More places. More people. We envision a vibrant and diverse Chattanooga region celebrated for the ways in which creativity, arts, and culture enrich and enhance its way of life – a community where the arts are for all.

How We Fulfill Our Mission

Partnering – Collaborating to reach creative solutions
Advocating – Articulating the role of the arts in building lives and communities
Connecting – Providing arts opportunities for all
Educating – Cultivating creativity to enhance personal and academic growth
Advancing – Strengthening the economic environment
Supporting – Generating resources to support arts and cultural experiences

OUR HISTORY

ArtsBuild was founded in 1969 as Allied Arts. In 2012, following the Imagine Chattanooga 20/20 cultural planning process, we became ArtsBuild. Since 1969, ArtsBuild has invested more than $80 million in our arts community.

Community Arts Partners

Organizations that Make Arts Possible in Chattanooga

ArtsBuild’s Community Arts Partners are the organizations that currently receive Mission Support grants. Together, they serve over 750,000 people each year across Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

2025-2026

Art120

Association for Visual Arts

Bessie Smith Cultural Center

Be The Change Youth Initiative

CHA Ballet

Chattanooga Boys Choir

Chattanooga Girls Choir

Chattanooga Symphony & Opera

Chattanooga Theatre Centre

CoPAC/Barking Legs Theater

Creative Discovery Museum

Dynamo Studios

East Lake Expression Engine

Houston Museum of Decorative Arts

Hunter Museum of American Art

Scenic City Clay Arts

Our Team

The People Behind ArtsBuild

James McKissic

President
(423) 777-4210

Sallie Lawrence

Director of Finance
(423) 777-4211

Melissa Astin

Director of Grants and Community Engagement
(423) 777-4214

Manager of Grants and Community Engagement
(423) 777-4214

Caroline Bulman

Development Manager
(423) 777-4213

Brianna Jones

Programs and Grants Coordinator
(423) 777-4217

Robyn Stringfellow

Education Programs Coordinator
(423) 803-4784

Christina Sacco

Arts Impact Coordinator
(423) 777-4222

Jonathan Dean

Administrative Coordinator
(423) 756-2787

Board of Directors

Leadership Committed to the Arts

Dr. Quincy Jenkins, Chair
Vanessa Jackson, Secretary
Jared Pickens, Treasurer

Marcus McKamey, Chair
Rowena Belcher, Vice-Chair
Sybil Topel, Secretary
Dr. Edna Varner, Treasurer

Rowena Belcher
Ron Blankenbaker
Caroline Block Harden
Ella Clark
Olga de Klein
Julie Elsea
Karen Estes

Kristy Huntley
Melani LaMar
Sharon Law
Toya Moore
David Roberts
Sequan Spigner
Dr. Yvette Stewart

Lacey Furr
Jeannine Grogg
Drew Hibbard
Miles Huff
Kristy Huntley
Vanessa Jackson
Dr. Quincy Jenkins

Michael Stone
Angela Stoudemire
Sandra Tilley
Dr. Edna Varner
Caroline Walker
Marlo White

Bryan Kelly
Dr. Jill Levine
Alex Loza
Daniela Peterson
Jared Pickens
Tiffanie Robinson
David Spiller
Angela Stoudemire

SPOTLIGHT —

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6

ArtsBuild has announced that the Hamilton County nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $191,040,572 in economic activity in 2022 according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts.

SPOTLIGHT —

Pro Bono Legal Services

The Arts & Business Council (based in Nashville) provides pro bono legal and business services to artists and nonprofit arts organizations statewide through Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts.

They also offer Fiscal Sponsorship for arts projects and organizations that may benefit from tax-exempt status and administrative support.

LEARN MORE

Strategic Plan

Our Roadmap for the Arts in Chattanooga

Through the goals outlined in ArtsBuild’s Strategic Plan, our board members, staff, partners, and stakeholders work toward being an ever-responsive organization to the needs of the community.

ArtsBuild's Strategic Plan 2024–2027

The Arts Building

A Hub for the Arts Community

ArtsBuild is located at 301 E. 11th Street, Suite 300, on the 2nd Floor of The Arts Building in downtown Chattanooga.

The Arts Building is home to four organizations: Scenic City Clay Arts, Townsend Atelier, Ruffner Art Advisory, LLC, and ArtsBuild. We also have a rooftop deck – the EPB City-View Deck – available for community events.

To learn more about using our meeting spaces or rooftop deck, contact jonathan@artsbuild.com.