Arts + Culture

As a centerpiece of Chattanooga’s arts scene, 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 both public and private spaces. Public Art Chattanooga is a commission established by the city to maintain more than 180 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 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. Following renovations and an expansion, the Tivoli Theatre is set to reopen this year. From touring Broadway shows 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. In 2025, Chattanooga welcomed the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass event for the first time.

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, now in its 102nd season, is one of the oldest and largest community theaters in the nation.

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 provided free arts performances and exhibits for more than 14,000 school children in grades K-5 each year, and since 2012, it has given financial support to more than 150 unique arts organizations and community arts projects and arts events.

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, which showcases more than 140 artists.

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, hosting a variety of workshops, events, and writing contests throughout the year.

The celebration of diversity is fundamental to the Scenic City’s arts community. The Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas (CFBA&I) celebrates Black arts at ongoing festivals throughout the year, showcasing exemplary artists of African descent in dance, music, theater, visual arts, film, and literature. CFBA&I hosts the James Baldwin Festival of Words each 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 that highlight German, Indian, Latinx, and Native American heritage.