Arts, Community and You

by Dale Woodfin

Arts and culture are fundamental for reimaging the future of disinvested communities like ours; communities where the downtown areas are, all but, left behind in a world of big box retailers and online businesses. Arts and culture have a unique ability to connect our dreams in a way that reinvests the kind of hope and excitement that shapes infrastructure, core amenities and attracts new business.

The Arts can strengthen cultural identity and foster a shared vision. Through this type of movement we are uniquely positioned to inform work on the ground and to build a policy agenda for equity that touches people and places in a positive way. Through the arts we can motivate action in our government and encourage philanthropy to accelerate an equitable development to revitalize our community. Creative activities are more than just fun and play: the Arts are a powerful method of developing confidence and pride for local communities, as well as an accepted means of therapy for trauma.

South Pittsburg, Tennessee hasthe potential and you can help!

Our rural town, South Pittsburg, Tennessee, just outside of Chattanooga, is nestled in the foothills of the South Cumberland Mountains on the banks of the Tennessee River. Our community has a historic charm and its people are kind, inviting and giving. We are proud to be the home of Lodge Cast Iron, Pirates school athletics, The National Cornbread Festival, Sweeten’s Cover Golf Club, and the Princess Theatre – just to name a few. Now, our town is searching for the kind of identity that integrates our history and culture with new initiatives of revitalization to help move us forward with sustainable growth.

Volunteering at Arts in the Burg is a very gratifying experience, bringing together creativity and the passion to give. Whether you want to showcase your artistic abilities or offer your time in the many activities involved and future programming, volunteering can bring you a special opportunity to enhance both your professional and personal life.

Let’s create a brighter future for our community.

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Arts in the Burg is a program of SPARQ

Tennessee Placemaking Partnership

The Tennessee Placemaking Project is a collaborative pilot project between Thrive Regional Partnership, Tennessee Arts Commission, Southeast Tennessee Development, and the Lyndhurst Foundation. The project is designed to support local communities as they scale up strategies that leverage local arts and cultural assets for economic vibrancy and growth throughout the greater Chattanooga region. To learn more, visit www.thriveregionalpartnership.org/projects/tn-placemaking-partnership. 

Thriving Communities

Thriving Communities is a creative placemaking program of Thrive Regional Partnership designed to leverage local arts and culture assets for economic vibrancy and growth throughout the greater Chattanooga region. To learn more, visit www.ThriveRegionalPartnership.org/Thriving-Communities.

Thrive Regional Partnership

Thrive Regional Partnership inspires responsible growth through conversation, connection, and collaboration across the tri-state greater Chattanooga region. To learn more visit www.thriveregionalpartnership.org.