From the Director
Virginia Anne Sharber
Here at the Hunter Museum of American Art, we are firm believers that art and creativity are forces for personal growth and positive community change, and we are honored to serve as a cultural resource for our community. As we strive to better engage our diverse audiences in active dialogues about the importance, meaning, and relevance of American art, the Hunter continues to re-imagine and re-interpret American art through compelling programs for every age and through diverse and interactive exhibitions. These programs and exhibitions are shaped by our commitment to representing a variety of experiences, cultures, and perspectives in hopes that visitors see art with new eyes as a way to better understand the many facets of American history and to learn more about what makes us Americans today. As stewards of the museum, we are constantly working towards its improvement, and we are grateful for your support, your ideas and your suggestions as we strive to ensure that your experience is exciting and thought-provoking. I invite you to come and explore all the museum has to offer, and I look forward to seeing you at your Hunter!
The Hunter Museum of American Art collects, preserves, and presents American art and connects the community through inspiring educational and visitor-focused experiences for all.
The Hunter Museum is a national model exemplifying how art museums can transform the communities they serve. With its iconic campus, exceptional collection of American art and engagement in and with the community, the Hunter is an essential space where all people are welcomed to experience creativity, connect, and share ideas.
Our People
Chair
Past-Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Quintin Alford
Kelly Arnold
Mike Berry
John Bode
Harolda Bryson
Chanda Chambers
Allison Cromie
Ward Davenport
Kim Gavin
Terri Holley
Amanda Jackson
Carley McGee
Johnny O'Brien
Dana Perry
Daniela Peterson
Dan Pratt
Janelle Reilly
John Shearburn
Julie Stowe
Angie Supan
Reese Veltenaar
Dakasha Winton
Steve Zabel
Hacker Caldwell
Gary Chazen
J. H. Davenport III
R. Craig Holley
Candy Kruesi
Norma Mills
Paul Neely
Executive Director
Director of Operations
Operations Manager
Administrative Assistant
Chief Curator
Associate Curator
Collections Manager and Registrar
Head Preparator
Curatorial and Registration Assistant
Curator of Education
Manager of School and Family Programs
Manager of Outreach and Access Programs
Director of Institutional Advancement
Social Media Coordinator
Development Manager
Database and Development Administrator
Design and Web Specialist
Special Events Department Manager
Special Events Coordinator
Special Events Coordinator
Manager of Guest Services
Facilities Manager
Security Lead
Security Assistant Manager
DEAI Statement
The Hunter Museum of American Art champions policies and practices that value diversity, foster equity, and empower an accessible and inclusive environment. As an institution and as individuals, we are dedicated to dismantling systemic and institutional inequities by breaking down barriers and advancing inclusion and equitable practices for traditionally marginalized people including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and differently-abled individuals. The Hunter is embedding these DEAI principles in all aspects of the museum’s work and organizational culture.
In undertaking this work, the Hunter defines DEAI principals as follows:
- Diversity – Diversity is all of the factors that shape the experiences, values and perspectives of individuals. These include but are not limited to age, mental and physical ability, gender identity, race, national origin, religion, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation.
- Equity – Equity is the promotion of fair and just treatment, access and opportunities for all staff and members of our community.
- Accessibility – Accessibility is the equitable access of all people to use, experience or participate in activities, resources, facilities, and services, regardless of ability or socio-economic status.
- Inclusion – Inclusion refers to the intentional effort of creating environments in which all individuals or groups can feel welcomed, respected, empowered and valued. It is also an effort to cultivate leaders at all levels to fully participate in the museum’s work with equal agency.
To advance these principles and serve our community, the Hunter is committed to:
- Ensuring that all exhibitions, programming, facilities and services are accessible to everyone.
- Providing a forum for public discussion of vital community issues, including social justice, and equity for historically marginalized groups.
- Including under-represented voices, stories and perspectives in exhibitions and programming.
- Presenting collections, exhibitions, programming, publications and public communications that accurately represent historical facts and events; and highlighting the voices and experiences of diverse cultures in a respectful and culturally competent manner.
- Forging meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with diverse individuals and organizations in the community, including local BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled serving organizations in a continual effort to ensure that all visitors feel welcomed, valued and heard.
- Diversifying the Hunter’s Board of Trustees, leadership, staff and volunteers so that the museum is reflective of our community at all levels. These efforts include the implementation of equitable hiring and retention practices, deliberate recruitment strategies to reach diverse candidates, and public transparency about the membership of our Board of Trustees and senior management team.
- Conducting regular staff-wide DEAI training to develop cultural competence and strategies for identifying, preventing and responding to discrimination, including unconscious bias, on both a personal and institutional level.
Our Architecture
Three buildings representing 100 years of architecture, The Hunter Museum of American Art is one of Chattanooga’s iconic landmarks.
Our Architecture
The Mansion
This Neoclassical-style brick building was designed by the Cincinnati architectural firm of Mead and Garfield. Due to the varying architectural features, the mansion encompasses classical revival styles that contain both Georgian and Federal style elements. The fireplaces, hardwood floors, wall moldings and hand-carved woodwork are all original, as are sconces and fixtures over the Grand Staircase. Many of the ornamental details are classical in inspiration, using the egg-and-dart, acanthus leaf, and fruit-and-flower motifs popular with architects of the period.
The 1970s Building —The East Wing
Built in 1975, this solid reinforced concrete building was designed by Chattanooga architects Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson. It reflects an architectural style referred to as Brutalism, which flourished from the 1950s to the 1970s. The structure adjoined the Hunter mansion, leaving the original building intact and complementing it in a way that brought universal praise upon its completion. Designed with a dramatic central atrium space, the building won several prestigious architectural awards. The first addition to the Hunter Museum, it was remodeled in 1997 and again in 2005.
The 21st Century Waterfront – the West Wing
The Hunter Museum’s 21st century waterfront building was a $22 million expansion and renovation that was completed in April 2005. This project included the addition of 28,000 square feet of new construction, 34,000 square feet of renovation, restoration of the 1905 mansion, the creation of an outdoor sculpture plaza, and a complete reinstallation of the museum’s permanent collection. The dramatic, new zinc-clad building was designed by the Los Angeles architectural firm of Randall Stout and Associates. Stout wanted to be respectful to both existing buildings that preceded him, and ensured that the West Wing of the museum would balance the East Wing to create a frame for the mansion, which would remain the highest point on site.
History & Timeline
Research Your Art Pathway
Do you want to know more about artwork that you own? Are you interested in donating artwork to the Hunter? Check out these resources for appraisal, care and donation.
Work for the Hunter Museum
Immerse yourself in the world of art, history, and culture by working at the Hunter Museum, where each day offers the chance to inspire curiosity and build the connections with your community. Click below to browse our open positions and apply through our online portal.
Internships
The Hunter Museum of American Art offers a wide variety of internship opportunities for those interested in learning more about the museum. Internships are unpaid learning experiences for college students. In addition to adding practical skills to their resumes, interns gain a sense of the overall workings of the institution. Internship positions are project-based and scheduled on a rolling basis.
While specific opportunities for placement change throughout the year, past placements have included Curatorial, Education, Membership and Development, and Marketing and Communications departments. To learn more about internships available in the upcoming semester, please reach out to Adera Causey (acausey@huntermuseum.org).
Get in touch
Our knowledgeable staff members are happy to answer any questions you may have.