“People will forget the things you do, and people will forget the things you say. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou, American Poet

Art 120 works between the lines of the formal art process (galleries, museums and venues) in order to bring art into the community.  While Chattanooga is nationally known for public art, a good portion of our local community has  little or no access to the creative process. Art 120 gets art off the walls and into our streets, classrooms and communities through education, curation and events. This process includes an ecosystem that brings artists from diverse backgrounds into elementary schools, teaches middle school kids how to build art bikes, exhibits community work alongside professional artists, and educates teachers on multi-disciplinary opportunities through the creation of art bikes and art cars. Through this model, Art 120 strives to connect our creative community with other cities within about
a 120 mile radius of Chattanooga which encompasses Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham
and Atlanta to create a network to share art events, resources and programs. 


A.R.T. is our Mission

We foster AWARENESS between the community and artists, educators, and non-profit organizations to build a creative network that encompasses a 120-mile radius around Chattanooga.

We REACH out to the public and underserved schools through free art events in Hamilton County that help strengthen Chattanooga’s ties to its creative community while recognizing participating artists of all ages and mediums.

We provide TEACHING opportunities that allow youth to take ownership of their ideas and express themselves without fear.

Art 120 exists because everyone should have the opportunity to develop their creativity through arts and cultural experiences regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or social status. We believe that art is for everyone.

Our Impact - 2024 Recap

Despite short obstacles, Art120 maintained healthy progress in local project and event outreach this year, even landing some firsts for the record. Improvements include:

  • Outcomes

    • WeMake local artist and student participation increased by over 20%, in addition to the introduction of a new performing arts award category

    • International Market and More artist participation increased by 2% 

    • Increased number of Art Teacher Makerspace training workshops and school visits

    • Contributed to the first annual celebration of Irish and Hispanic Heritage Months

  • Impact

    • International Markets and More Events saw immense improvement, including:

      • introduction of new vendors & artists 

      • largest artist lineup yet

    • Art Teacher Makerspace Training enables teachers to acquire knowledge on digital art, potentially impacting 4,469 students county wide. 

Our Overall Impact

  • 9,000+ youth from schools to rural communities making Jingle Truck art with a Pakistani artist & learning her culture.

  • Connecting the diverse roots of our community through four multicultural markets each year, serving over forty-eight entrepreneurs from youth, burgeoning artists and new Americans.

  • Distributed over 500 art kits to kids in poverty during Covid 19

  • Develop curriculum and STEAM programs that connect the art teachers to classroom opportunities with their VWeLabs.

  • 32,000+ elementary school students received artists in-school visits. 91% are Title 1 schools, over 17,000 did not have art in their schools until our advocacy efforts changed this in 2018.

  • 85 at-risk youth have learned to weld and learn technology with our Urban Art Bike Program.

  • Developed the Scenic City Art Car Weekend. Now known as We Make, this free, annual art event enables youth to exhibit their artwork alongside professional artists.

  • Serving up to 51 artists each year through education and economic opportunities

  • Supporting fellow organizations through placemaking activities annually