“The arts build our public schools. Incorporating the visual and performing arts into the curriculum expands the horizons and opens a world of possibilities for all students.”


Annie Hall
Community Leader/Volunteer


“To us, the arts build an engaged, vibrant community. The arts in Chattanooga are one of the most important elements contributing to economic development, tourism and the quality of life of our citizens.”


Craig & Terri Holley


“To me, the arts build creativity, intelligence, and relationships!”


Rose Martin
President, Bessie Smith Cultural Center


“During my time as mayor, I witnessed firsthand the huge role public art played in the evolution of Chattanooga and its renaissance. When we began the waterfront transformation plan, citizens from across the greater Chattanooga area joined together to create a vision for the waterfront that would capture the imagination of visitors to our city. Public art became an integral part of that vision and has since become a part of the fabric of our community. As someone who cares tremendously about economic growth, I can tell you that the efforts our community went through to make public art a priority have undoubtedly enhanced the way our citizens feel about our community, and it has strengthened our ability to make our community even better by helping us attract major employers like Volkswagen.”


Senator Bob Corker


“To me, the arts build specific languages that all people speak. They cross racial, cultural, social, educational and economic barriers, and they build higher order thinking skills. Through the initiatives of ArtsBuild and its Cultural Partners, the arts help provide the Chattanooga community with strong, well-rounded and productive adults and students.”


Susan Robinson
Executive Director, Southern Lit Alliance


“To me, the arts build 'Perspective,' the true relationship of the everyday world and the arts. What we see in visual art, what we hear in music, what we feel in dance and what we create in drama. It all becomes very personal and beautiful to every individual.”


Juana Wilson-Roberts
Hamilton County Department of Education


“To me, the arts build a love of community in all of our friends and neighbors. You can see the happiness in the faces of children who are touching and climbing on public art. You hear the excitement in a conversation about the symphony concert, the play, or the gallery exhibit. ArtsBuild is our good steward to ensure that the arts will always be a part of our community.”


Dr. Roger Brown
Former Chancellor
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga


“The arts build the value of our city. They are one of the most important, yet often most overlooked and misunderstood Economic Development tools we have.”


Kim White
President/CEO, River City Company


“To me, the arts build an exciting lifestyle and promote our local economy. Music, festivals, theatre, lectures, outdoor sculpture gardens and galleries attract folks of all ages to get out and about, have fun and be a part of the Chattanooga art scene.”


Sally Robinson
Chattanooga City Council


"To me, arts build an appreciation for a culturally diverse community, one that appreciates the ability to express ideas on canvas, through a camera lens, from a series of words strung together or a visual thought left for imagination to complete."


Tom Griscom
Former Editor & Publisher
Chattanooga Times Free Press


"To me, the arts build the opportunity for individuals, regardless of their financial position in life, to become more well-rounded people. ArtsBuild achieves this by funding programs that create an appreciation and awareness of arts and culture and by making it available to so many. Without ArtsBuild, many individuals would never achieve the degree of creativity and cultural awareness that lies within ones innate ability."


Dr. DeWayne McCamish


“To me, the arts build quality soul life!”


Bob Stagner, Executive Director
Shaking Ray Levi Society


“To me the Arts build a universal bridge for enhancing communication, both verbal and non-verbal. The Arts provide an avenue for the expression of feelings and emotions as well as an outlet for creativity and life enrichment. The Arts support the potential for the healing of the whole person, mind, body and spirit.”


Cam Busch
Artist / Photographer, Art Therapist, Psychiatric Nurse


“The arts build America. They are a key piece of the U.S. economy and job creation. They are helping the healing process of our nation’s wounded warriors and returning military. They are a critical partner in America’s international diplomacy efforts. And they are being deployed by mayors and county and city leaders everywhere to help solve issues like youth at risk, crime, drugs, and other social problems. In every corner of America, the arts are helping to build better communities and a stronger nation.”


Robert Lynch
President & CEO of Americans for the Arts


“To me, ArtsBuild is a conduit funneling the resources needed to create wonder, reward excellence, and encourage personal and community growth. The arts are not just product or experience--they are an expression of that which makes us human.”


Roger Halligan
Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute Class of ‘09



“To me the arts build strong community connections and bring a deep sense of place to regions. Citizens communicate with each other through song, dance, drawings, and habitat and we have used the arts to mark and define the communities in which we live for generations.”


Karen "Rudy" Rudolph
Lyndhurst Foundation
Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute Class of '09



"The arts build creative capital all across our community, contributing to every facet of our present and future quality of life."


Edna Varner
Public Education Foundation



"To me, arts build relationships. Healthy relationships rely on communication. The arts construct a safe environment for discourse. Ultimately, the arts strengthen the foundation of a thriving community."


Stratton Tingle
Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute Alumnus



“To me, the arts build a more cohesive community. Creative people energize and mobilize citizens to make changes and improvements in our community and instill pride in our city. The arts break down barriers and bring together people who might not otherwise come into contact with one another. ArtsBuild will bring the arts to new communities and build an awareness of the importance of arts in our lives."


Mary Kilbride
Community Volunteer and Arts Patron



“To me, the arts build communities, bringing together people from all walks of life, working together to create a rich quality of life.”


Jim Hill
Imagine Chattanooga 20/20 Diversity Co-Chair



"To me, arts build opportunities to tap into our natural creativity. Our artistic talents are a gift from God, and without exposure to the world of the arts, many may never even know the extent of their own talents. To never discover your natural talents is like never getting to know yourself and the capacity of how great your love for adventure could really be."


Tiffanie Robinson
River City Company
Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute Alumnus



“To me, the arts build community through creativity. Many of our young people have little opportunity to exercise their creativity. And creativity is essential to a good, high paid work force. So the arts build our economic future.” 


Pete Cooper
President, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga