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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!

Mission Statement

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.

Vision Statement

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

Board
Todd Womack

Chair

Andrea Crouch

Past-Chair

BettyeLynn Smith

Secretary

Dan Norton

Treasurer

Trustees

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

Honorary Trustees

Hacker Caldwell
Gary Chazen
J. H. Davenport III
R. Craig Holley
Candy Kruesi
Norma Mills
Paul Neely

Executive Director
Virginia Anne Sharber

Executive Director

Administration
Rob Majors

Director of Operations

Brad Bohl

Operations Manager

Abby Howell

Administrative Assistant

Curatorial
Nandini Makrandi

Chief Curator

Lauren Nye

Associate Curator

Elizabeth Le

Collections Manager and Registrar

Jon Newman

Head Preparator

Hannah Wimberly Lowe

Curatorial and Registration Assistant

Education
Adera Causey

Curator of Education

Christine Bespalec

Manager of School and Family Programs

Athena Buxton

Manager of Outreach and Access Programs

Marketing, Communications, and Development
Cara McGowan

Director of Institutional Advancement

Mak Johnson

Social Media Coordinator

Pierson Brown

Development Manager

Robert Parker

Database and Development Administrator

Allie McGilberry

Design and Web Specialist

Special Events
Amber Goodman

Special Events Department Manager

Molly Wholihan

Special Events Coordinator

Nolan Cicci

Special Events Coordinator

Guest Services and Museum Store
Cynthia Boucher

Manager of Guest Services

Operations
Lynn Hicks

Facilities Manager

Security
Barrot Rendleman

Security Lead

Tammy Zani

Security Assistant Manager

Financial Information

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

History & Timeline

1854

An iron smelting plant is erected on the bluff near the present northwestern corner of the museum.

The plant, known as the Bluff Furnace, was one of the South’s earliest industrial enterprises. During the Civil War, the area was used as a lookout and a garrison by both Confederate and Union forces. Although the Bluff Furnace was destroyed during the Civil War, it is now a site for archaeological research.

1905

Mansion for wealthy insurance broker Ross Faxon and his family completed. The family lived in the mansion for nine years.

The mansion was designed by architectural firm Mead and Garfield. Abram Garfield was the son of President James Garfield.

1920

The home is sold to Anne Taylor Thomas, the widow of Benjamin F. Thomas, one of the founders of the world’s first Coca-Cola bottling company and the uncle of George Thomas Hunter. George Thomas Hunter moved Chattanooga at the age of 17 to work as a clerk in his uncle’s business.

Hunter soon rose rapidly through the ranks to become secretary, president and finally, chairman of the board, of the company that franchised bottling of Coca-Cola in almost every state in the Union. He became one of Chattanooga’s most respected philanthropists.

1944

George Thomas Hunter founds the Benwood Foundation, a private charitable trust still in operation today.

1951

Following Hunter’s death in 1950, the Chattanooga Art Association approaches the Benwood Foundation to ask that the Faxon-Hunter mansion be donated to their organization in order to found an art museum.

May 1952

The museum celebrates its first acquisition of a major American painting for its collection, The Huntsman’s Door by Richard LaBarre Goodwin.

Mrs. Otto K. LeBron donated the work in honor of her husband. He had found it, dirty and dust-covered, in an attic, restored it, and for many years displayed it in his local jewelry store, Edwards & LeBron.

July 12, 1952

Chattanooga’s first art museum, named the George Thomas Hunter Gallery of Art in honor of its benefactor, opens to the public.

September 1975

A new building and renovated mansion opens to the public with the new name, Hunter Museum of Art. The new building is designed by local architecture firm Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson. A gift from the Benwood Foundation of 33 major American paintings from the Cohen Collection (valuing more than $1 million) is unveiled in the renovated museum.

After the opening of the 1975 building, the museum grew rapidly. With consistent funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts (now ArtsBuild) and the Lyndhurst and Benwood Foundations, the museum set about to build its collection of works by American artists.

1980

A collections department with a curator, registrar, and assistant is established, and the Hunter Museum’s collection is professionally documented with a 300-page catalogue.

2002

Chattanooga’s $120 million 21st Century Waterfront Plan is announced.

The Hunter Museum became an active partner with the City of Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium, and the Creative Discovery Museum to complete this public/private venture in less than three years.

April 2005

The Hunter Museum portion of the 21st Century Waterfront Plan is completed. This $22 million expansion and renovation project includes the addition of 28,000 square feet of new construction designed by Randall Stout and Associates, 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.

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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.

Landscape view of The Hunter Museum

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.

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