Building stronger communities through the arts.
Artsbuild’s recent giving is anchored by repeated general operating support for Chattanooga’s major arts institutions, with the Hunter Museum of Art and the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera each appearing in three consecutive years. That pattern shows a funder that backs ongoing cultural infrastructure rather than isolated projects. Across the recent grants list, the foundation consistently supports organizations that serve audiences in Chattanooga through museums, music, theater, dance, youth arts, and visual arts. The same approach appears in its program work. Artsbuild runs local initiatives such as Mission Support for Community Arts Partners, Access and Opportunity Grants for artists traditionally underrepresented in funding processes, and the Imagine! Arts Education Program for elementary students across Hamilton County. It also uses leadership and workforce programs, including the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute and Opportunity Fellows, to build arts administration talent in the city. Grants are also directed to organizations such as Creative Discovery Museum and Chattanooga Theatre Centre, both receiving multi-year operating support in the recent awards list. The result is a grantmaker centered on sustaining Chattanooga’s arts ecosystem through institutions, artists, students, and arts workers.
Artsbuild supports arts institutions through general operating support. In the recent grants list, the Hunter Museum of Art received $266,126 in 2025 for general operating support, while Chattanooga Theatre Centre received $80,000 in 2025 for the same purpose. Those awards align with the foundation’s Mission Support program, which provides annual general operating grants to local arts organizations. The foundation also funds arts education and youth experiences. Its Imagine! Arts Education Program provides school-based arts experiences and field trips for elementary students across Hamilton County. Artist support is another clear theme. Access and Opportunity Grants are designed for artists traditionally underrepresented in funding processes, with awards that can support Artist Works, Equipment, and Professional Development. Artsbuild also offers Community Cultural Connections grants for arts projects that make arts and culture more accessible to underserved populations.
$601K
$19.8M
$3.7M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $9K and $21K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$21K
JAMES MCKISSIC
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Artsbuild’s typical grant size sits in a fairly tight band: the 25th percentile is $9,090, the median is $12,405, and the 75th percentile is $21,350. That pattern matches a local funder that often mixes mid-sized operating grants with smaller project awards and fellowship-style support. The recent awards list also shows continuity over time. Several grantees appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, which points to recurring support rather than one-time awards. Artsbuild is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals directly. Its listed programs include both open, unsolicited opportunities and defined local grantmaking channels, with awards ranging from small project grants to larger operating support.
Artsbuild gives locally, and every recent grant in the dataset goes to a recipient in Tennessee. Chattanooga is the clear center of gravity, with 100% of grants landing in the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent awards also extend across Hamilton County through programs such as Imagine! Arts Education and Community Cultural Connections. Named recipient cities in the grants list are overwhelmingly Chattanooga, including awards to the Hunter Museum of Art, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and Creative Discovery Museum. This is a single-state, city-centered grantmaker.
Artsbuild supports Chattanooga arts institutions through general operating support, along with arts education, leadership development, artist support, community arts projects, and capacity-building programs. Its active programs include Mission Support, Imagine! Arts Education, Access and Opportunity Grants, Community Cultural Connections, and Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute.
It supports both organizations and artists through different programs, but it does not fund individuals directly. The program list includes Access and Opportunity Grants for artists, Community Cultural Connections grants for community-based arts projects, and paid fellowship or training programs for artists and arts workers.
The typical award is modest to mid-sized. The 25th percentile is $9,090, the median is $12,405, and the 75th percentile is $21,350. Recent program awards also include smaller grants such as Community Cultural Connections grants up to $2,000 and Access and Opportunity Grants up to $10,000.
The recent grants list shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years. The Hunter Museum of Art, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, Creative Discovery Museum, and Chattanooga Theatre Centre each appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, which indicates recurring support rather than one-off grants.
Artsbuild’s grantmaking is local and centered in Tennessee, with 100% of grants in the HQ state. The recent grants list is concentrated in Chattanooga, and some program work extends across Hamilton County, including elementary arts education and community arts grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Artsbuild that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations whose mission is to create and provide year-round arts programs and experiences that are vital to the cultural life of the community; eligible organizations located in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. (Grantees evaluated on efforts to create access through outreach, inclusion, and diversity.)
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUNTER MUSEUM OF ART | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $94,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $93,820 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $83,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA BALLET | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA BOYS CHOIR | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $19,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SONG BIRDS FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $15,700 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPLASH | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $15,150 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE POP-UP PROJECT | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCENIC CITY CLAY ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $14,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST LAKE EXPRESSION ENGINE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $13,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BE THE CHANGE YOUTH INITIATIVE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $12,880 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $12,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUNDCORP | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STOVE WORKS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CHATTERY | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,300 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ART 120 | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,100 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCENIC CITY SHAKESPEAR | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,050 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN LIT ALLIANCE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DYNAMO | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEXT EXIT PRODUCTIONS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $6,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING ARTS OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $5,900 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUNTER MUSEUM OF ART | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $266,126 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $246,116 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $86,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA BALLET | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCENIC CITY CLAY ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $22,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE POP-UP PROJECT | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $21,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA BOYS CHOIR | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $19,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPLASH | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $16,300 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SONG BIRDS FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $14,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ART 120 | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $13,941 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCENIC CITY SHAKESPEAR | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $13,600 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STOVE WORKS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $13,240 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST LAKE EXPRESSION ENGINE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $13,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUNDCORP | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $12,978 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,667 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING ARTS OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,400 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN LIT ALLIANCE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $9,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BECKETT MEDIA PRODUCTIONS | OOLTEWAH, TN | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHATTANOOGA GIRLS CHOIR | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $7,915 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSIC FASHION AND ART | HIXSON, TN | $7,200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BE THE CHANGE YOUTH INITIATIVE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $6,850 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RHYME N CHATT INTERACTIVE POETRY | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $6,425 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEXT EXIT PRODUCTIONS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHATTANOOGA BALLET
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHATTANOOGA BOYS CHOIR
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SONG BIRDS FOUNDATION INC
$15,700GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SPLASH
$15,150GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE POP-UP PROJECT
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SCENIC CITY CLAY ARTS
$14,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BE THE CHANGE YOUTH INITIATIVE
$12,880GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTS
$12,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUNDCORP
$11,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
STOVE WORKS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CHATTERY
$9,300GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ART 120
$9,100GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SCENIC CITY SHAKESPEAR
$9,050GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUTHERN LIT ALLIANCE
$9,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER
$9,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DYNAMO
$8,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS
$7,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEXT EXIT PRODUCTIONS
$6,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING ARTS OF CHATTANOOGA
$5,900GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHATTANOOGA BALLET
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SCENIC CITY CLAY ARTS
$22,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE POP-UP PROJECT
$21,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHATTANOOGA BOYS CHOIR
$19,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SPLASH
$16,300GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SONG BIRDS FOUNDATION INC
$14,100GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ART 120
$13,941GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SCENIC CITY SHAKESPEAR
$13,600GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
STOVE WORKS
$13,240GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUNDCORP
$12,978GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTS
$12,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS
$10,667GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING ARTS OF CHATTANOOGA
$10,400GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUTHERN LIT ALLIANCE
$9,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER
$9,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BECKETT MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
$8,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHATTANOOGA GIRLS CHOIR
$7,915GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSIC FASHION AND ART
$7,200GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BE THE CHANGE YOUTH INITIATIVE
$6,850GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RHYME N CHATT INTERACTIVE POETRY
$6,425GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEXT EXIT PRODUCTIONS
$6,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
