Future Uncertain for Tennessee Arts Groups as Ways of Funding Change

TIMES FREE PRESS
By Barry Courter

PHILANTHROPY---For years, Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, now ArtsBuild, was the central advocate and fundraiser for the CSO, CTC, Hunter and 11 other cultural partners that relied on the organization for a large part of their operating funds. ArtsBuild in the past five years has changed its mission, and as part of that retooling has drastically reduced the funding it provides. Part of the reason for the reduction is that ArtsBuild, which gets its money from the city ($250,000 in 2012-2013), the Tennessee Arts Commission and through its annual fundraising campaign, has seen its own operating budget reduced. The other reason for the reductions is that ArtsBuild has altered its vision for its role in the arts community. It believes its role should be promoting all arts in the community and not just raising operating capital for a few. [link]