From strolling through sculpture gardens to snapping selfies by street murals, art lovers of all ages can embrace creativity in the Scenic City. Notable performers and innovative institutions have put Chattanooga on the map for bolstering the arts and celebrating the histories of its citizens. Artisans will find endless opportunities to hone their crafts and explore other works in galleries, festivals, museums, and performance venues throughout the city.

As a centerpiece of Chattanooga’s arts culture, the Hunter Museum of American Art features one of the most complete collections of American art in the Southeast. The museum’s permanent exhibits feature art from the 1700s to the present day. Nearby, the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts houses a stunning collection of glass, ceramics, and textiles. In the same area, known as the Bluff View Art District, visitors can tour the two acres of public artwork on display in the acclaimed River Gallery Sculpture Garden.

Walking or driving through the city, it’s clear to see that the arts are showcased in public as well as private spaces. Public Art Chattanooga is a commission established by the city to maintain over 100 permanent and temporary outdoor art collections downtown and in surrounding neighborhoods. There are dozens of publicly accessible murals in and around the downtown area, and the number is always growing. In the south of the city, Montague Park is home to internationally acclaimed Sculpture Fields, the largest outdoor museum and sculpture park in the Southeast.

Performance art thrives in the city, with another landmark institution drawing artists from around the world: the Tivoli Theatre Foundation. This includes the Tivoli Theatre, Walker Theatre, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. From touring Broadway shows at the Tivoli to the Bobby Stone Film Series, there’s always something going on at one of these venues. Several music festivals also call the Scenic City home, featuring regional musicians alongside internationally touring bands. Local favorite Moon River Music Festival was ranked at No. 5 on Southern Living’s list of “Best Music Festivals in the South.”

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is one of the only combined symphonic and opera organizations in the nation. They host dozens of concerts as well as educational programs throughout the year. The Chattanooga Ballet Company and School is the only professional ballet company in the city and tours throughout the Southeast. The Chattanooga Theatre Centre, one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the nation, is celebrating its centennial anniversary during the 2023-2024 season.

Support for arts education is at the heart of several local organizations and nonprofits. ArtsBuild is a prolific nonprofit devoted to supporting the arts and strengthening the local economy. Since its inception, ArtsBuild has arranged over 100,000 arts field trips for Hamilton County School students, as well as awarded 165 grants to local artisans. The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) also helps advance the arts community through educational programs and rotating gallery exhibitions, as well as hosting the annual 4 Bridges Arts Festival. In 2023, AVA took the lead of the INCubator mentorship program for emerging artists, whose work is displayed in a gallery inside the Hamilton County Business Development Center. 

Each summer, the highly praised Chattanooga Film Festival celebrates all things cinema, hosting workshops and panels to highlight film education in the city. The HART Gallery is a creative home for underserved artists, offering a gallery space and community art classes. SoLit, a staple of the region’s literary scene, is a nonprofit that brings literary arts to people of all ages. SoLit hosts writing workshops as well as notable events, including the SouthWord Literary Festival and the Young Southern Student Writers contest.

The celebration of diversity is fundamental to the Scenic City’s arts community. The annual Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas (CFBA&I) celebrates Juneteenth, showcasing exemplary artists of African descent in dance, music, theater, visual arts, film, and literature. CFBA&I hosts the James Baldwin Festival of Words in August, offering workshops, markets, and performances featuring local creatives. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center celebrates and educates visitors on African American heritage all year round. There are also events throughout the year showcasing German, Indian, Latinx, and Native American heritage.