*denotes member of the Teaching Artist Leadership Council

Who’s Who
Association for Visual
Artists (AVA)
Contact: Christa Mannarino, Director
30 Frazier Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 265-4282
ava@chattanooga.net
Visual Arts
Arts
Organizations
Arts & Education Council
Contact: Laurel Eldridge
3069 Broad Street Suite 2
Chattanooga, TN 37408-3056
(423) 267-1218 or 1-800-267-4232
leldridge@artsedcouncil.org
www.artsedcouncil.org
Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre
and Media, Visual Arts
The Arts & Education Council (AEC)
provides unique opportunities for life-long
learning and participation in the arts for
all members of the community. The jewel
of AEC programming is the Conference
on Southern Literature and its outreach
programs, including Young Southern
Student Writers, Classroom Residencies,
and Professional Development Workshop
in Creative Writing. Other programs
include Theatre Express, Future
Focus Literacy Through Photography,
Independent Film Series, Culture Fest,
Chattanooga Festival of Writers, and
Back Row Film Series. Through its
ever-growing school outreach programs,
the AEC reaches approximately 15,000
students, teachers, and families per year.
The Association for Visual Artists is
dedicated to the promotion and support
of original visual art and the artists
who create it through creation and
exhibition; education and outreach; and
appreciation and participation. School
outreach includes connecting students
with professional artists through Visual
Art Residency programs that range in
length from one week to one semester.
Such programs include AVA’s Building
Pride Sculpture Program where students
work with an artist to create and produce
a sculpture for permanent installation
on the school campus. Student artwork
is also presented year-round in AVA’s
Landis Student Gallery and is open to all
grade levels. Speakers are also available
for all-school gatherings.
Ballet Tennessee
Contact: Anna Baker-Van Cura,
Artistic Director
3202 Kelly’s Ferry Road
Chattanooga, TN 37419
(423) 821-2055
anna@ballettennessee.org
www.ballettennessee.org
Dance
Ballet Tennessee provides quality
dance in performance and instruction
to Chattanooga and surrounding
areas, making dance accessible to
people of all ages, races, and economic
levels. Ballet Tennessee is a regional
company of professional dancers and
dedicated professional-track students.
Performances include a unique blend of
classical ballet and contemporary works.
In Dance Alive, Talent Identification
Program, outreach classes, and Artist
Residencies, children learn life skills
through dance. Master classes and
workshops bring renowned artists and
national standards of artistry. Founders
Anna and Barry VanCura are recognized
for their leadership and expertise as
artists and educators.
Chattanooga African
American Museum and
Bessie Smith Hall
Contact: Vilma S. Fields, Director
200 East Martin Luther King Blvd.
P.O. Box 11493
Chattanooga, TN 37403
(423) 266-8658
CAAM1@bellsouth.net
The museum is focused on the historical
and cultural experiences of the African-
Americans of Chattanooga. The museum
offers an extensive educational program
that includes African and African-
American history and culture, a variety
of workshops, music and art, performing
artists, volunteer programs, special
festival celebrations of African-American
culture, and works in collaboration with
community and school organizations.
Chattanooga Audubon
Society
Contact: Jane Rollins, Education
Program Director
900 N. Sanctuary Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 892-1499
caudubons@aol.com
www.audubonchattanooga.org
Music, Visual Arts
A private, non-profit organization
dedicated to conserving natural and
historical resources, promoting education
in all phases of environmental, cultural,
and natural history, and encouraging
wise stewardship of the natural resources
in the Chattanooga area. Additional
school programs are available. Check our
website “School Programs.”