Association for Visual Arts

What Association for Visual Arts does

The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded more than 38 years ago and headquartered at 30 Frazier Avenue on Chattanooga's North Shore, operating as the regional hub for visual artists, art enthusiasts, and arts-based institutions across 29 counties. Its core products consist of a rotating main gallery plus the dedicated Landis Education Gallery (six or more exhibitions per year), two flagship festivals — the nationally ranked 4 Bridges Arts Festival (4BAF) at First Horizon Pavilion and Between the Bridges Local Arts Festival at Coolidge Park — and a layered professional development portfolio including the Propeller career-readiness program, Anchor digital presence coaching, bi-monthly critique groups, workshops, and 1:1 artist coaching. Supporting services include a members-only Whiteroom photo studio, artist directory, AVA Voices podcast, display screen rental, member discount network, Chalk Alley public art space, and the Flourish Garden Party fundraiser.

AVA's business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure spanning five streams: tiered membership subscriptions (Student through Platinum $5,000+, with monthly and annual billing), transactional fees from workshops ($35-$50), coaching ($100-$150/hr), festival entry and booth fees ($6 general admission to $200 for both-day Between the Bridges booths), and donations/grants from foundations and corporate sponsors (ArtsBuild, Lyndhurst Foundation, Tennessee Arts Commission, Bobby Stone Foundation, Weldon F. Osborne Foundation, George R. Johnson Family Foundation, plus major 4BAF sponsors First Horizon Bank, Miller & Martin, Elliott Davis, and EPB). Underlying technology is a Squarespace-based website with Stripe e-commerce, Monkeypod email marketing, and Monday.com form integrations — there is no proprietary software, app, or API layer. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: AVA acquires and retains stakeholders through festival attendance, gallery visits, membership tiers, and reciprocal discount partnerships with regional institutions (Hunter Museum, Scenic City Clay Arts, Clearstory Arts, Artwork Archive, Bluff View Art District, Gannon Art Center, Plum Nelly, and Townsend Atelier).

Name

Association for Visual Arts

Legal name

Association for Visual Arts

Website

https://avarts.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) is a Chattanooga-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a gallery, two festivals (4BAF and Between the Bridges), and professional development programs serving nearly 400 artist members, art enthusiasts, and regional arts institutions across 29 Tennessee counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Visual Arts Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Visual arts programming
• Artist professional development
• Nonprofit gallery exhibitions
• Arts festival management
• Membership arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Tiered membership structure ranging from Student to Platinum levels, with annual and monthly billing options. Higher tiers (Plus, Premium, Patron) include additional benefits like gallery discounts, priority access, and event perks.
2. Festival Revenue: Revenue from 4 Bridges Arts Festival (4BAF) ticket sales ($6 entry), Preview Party tickets, booth fees for artists, and patron program contributions. Between the Bridges festival generates booth fees ($200 both days, $125 Saturday only).
3. Workshop and Coaching Fees: Professional development programs including workshops ($35-$50 per session), artist coaching ($100/hour members, $150/hour non-members), photography services, and the Propeller program ($175 members, $200 non-members).
4. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible charitable donations (501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID 58-1728801), scholarship fund contributions, and sponsorships from foundations and corporate partners supporting arts programming.
5. Screen and Facility Rentals: Display screen rentals for festival booths and exhibits available to member artists and partner nonprofits. Photo studio rental services for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Association for Visual Arts (AVA) is a Chattanooga-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a physical gallery and provides rotating exhibitions, two annual juried arts festivals (4 Bridges Arts Festival and Between the Bridges), and a portfolio of artist professional development programs including the Propeller career readiness program, Anchor digital presence program, workshops, critique groups, and one-on-one coaching. AVA sustains operations through tiered memberships (Student through Platinum), patron sponsorships, donations, festival booth fees, and workshop/service charges, serving nearly 400 artist members and over 8,400 annual gallery visitors.

Product overview

The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) operates as a nonprofit arts organization in Chattanooga, TN offering a comprehensive ecosystem of programs and services for visual artists. The core offering centers on gallery exhibitions (main gallery and Landis Education Gallery), two major festivals (4 Bridges Arts Festival and Between the Bridges), and artist professional development through the Propeller Program (career readiness) and Anchor Program (digital presence building). AVA provides ongoing educational programming including bi-monthly critique groups, workshops/seminars, and 1:1 coaching. Additional services include a members-only photo studio, artist directory, podcast (AVA Voices), member discounts program, resources library, display screen rental, and Chalk Alley public art space. The organization is supported by tiered membership programs (AVA Access) and patron sponsorships. The portfolio is not a unified technology product but rather a collection of in-person gallery services, educational programs, festivals, and member resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 4 Bridges Arts Festival (4BAF): AVA's premier juried fine art festival, ranked among the top fine art festivals in the country, returning April 18-19, 2026.
• Between the Bridges
• Flourish
• AVA Access
• Landis Education Gallery
• Propeller Program
• Anchor Program
• AVA Voices

Products and services

• AVA Gallery & Exhibitions Main gallery at 30 Frazier Ave in Chattanooga's North Shore with rotating exhibitions (at least six per year) showcasing AVA's diverse membership base, plus the Landis Education Gallery dedicated to displaying artwork by local students and nonprofit art organizations. Free admission; open Wednesday through Sunday.
• 4 Bridges Arts Festival (4BAF) AVA's premier juried fine art festival, ranked among the top 30 fine art festivals in the country. Brings together 140+ artists from across the United States with $15,000+ in cash prizes. Held annually at First Horizon Pavilion in Chattanooga; $6 general admission, with a ticketed Preview Party for patrons and sponsors.
• Between the Bridges Local Arts Festival Annual fall arts festival dedicated exclusively to Chattanooga-area artists, held at Coolidge Park. Features approximately 50 local artists and a Potters Alley curated in partnership with Scenic City Clay Arts. Booth fees: $200 for both days, $125 for Saturday only. Co-located with the 7 Bridges Marathon and IBMA conference.
• AVA Propeller Program 12-week cohort-based career readiness and professional development program for emerging artists, providing critique, professional development, and individualized guidance. Cohorts run three times per year. Priced at $175 for AVA members and $200 for non-members.
• Anchor Program 12-week cohort-based learning program designed to help artists build sustainable digital presence and professional communication systems, including websites and Instagram. Priced at $250 for AVA members and $275 for non-members.
• Artist Critique Group Bi-monthly artist critique group held on the second and last Tuesday of each month, offering constructive peer review for artists across all experience levels and mediums.
• Workshops & Seminars Professional development workshops and seminars ranging from 2-hour sessions to two-day workshops covering topics such as artist statements, residencies, social media, and mat cutting. Pricing typically $35-$50 per session with a minimum of 3 participants required.
• Coaching for Artists 1:1 coaching program led by Raquel Mullins offering guidance on portfolio reviews, artist statements, pricing, career planning, and navigating exhibitions and grants. Priced at $100/hour for AVA members and $150/hour for non-members.
• AVA Voices Podcast Podcast featuring conversations with local artists, educators, and arts leaders, recorded from AVA's Frazier Avenue home and available on Spotify, highlighting people shaping Chattanooga's creative community.
• Whiteroom Photo Studio Members-only 450 square-foot basement white room photo studio equipped with lighting, reflectors, cameras, and equipment. Additional professional photography services for artists are offered through contract photographer Anh Bao Tran-Le, including 'How to Photograph Your Art' ($50), Artist Headshots ($50), and Artist At Work Sessions ($300-$500).
• AVA Artist Directory Online public directory of AVA artist members categorized by medium, including Oil and Acrylic, Watercolor, Photography, Mixed Media, Ceramics, Jewelry, Textiles, Digital, and more, with links to individual artist websites for collector discovery.
• AVA Access Membership Tiered membership program with multiple levels including Student, Individual, Dual, Plus, Premium, and Lifetime tiers, plus a Scholarship Application option. Monthly and annual billing available. Benefits include exhibition access, gallery discounts, priority access, event perks, member directory listing, and access to studio services.
• Patron Program Patron membership program with four giving tiers: Curator ($500-$999), Collector ($1,000-$2,499), Elite ($2,500-$4,999), and Platinum ($5,000+). All patron levels include AVA Access membership benefits in addition to recognition and patron-only perks.
• Members Resources Library Password-protected digital library providing worksheets, tools, and professional development guides for AVA members, covering artist statements, bios, CVs, portfolios, grant applications, and curated national arts opportunities.
• Chalk Alley Public Art Interactive public mural alley connecting Frazier Avenue to Coolidge Park in Chattanooga. Completed in 2023 as a partnership between the Northshore Merchants Collective, Little Things Lab, and muralist Alecia Vera Buckles. AVA has been responsible since 2024 for accepting donations to assist in upkeep and maintenance.
• Flourish: The AVA Garden Party Annual fundraising gala held at Happy Valley Mansion celebrating AVA supporters with an exhibition of artworks by member artists. The first annual event on July 30 featured 44 artworks by 22 artists and 140 attendees.
• Display Screen Rental Metal frame display screens available for rental for festival booths, conferences, and exhibits. Free for AVA members up to 10 panels, then $5/panel thereafter; arts nonprofits and partners free up to 5 days, then $5/panel/day.
• Chattanooga Art Guide AVA-maintained comprehensive directory of local art spaces, galleries, museums, framing services, art education, community organizations, and arts administration resources in the Chattanooga area.
• Gallery Sponsorship Annual gallery sponsorship at $10,000, providing named recognition on the gallery wall, in newsletters and marketing materials, a $1,000 AVA Gift Card, and banner ad space for sponsoring businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,400+ gallery visitors annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Happy Valley FarmsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Flourish: The AVA Garden Party at Happy Valley Mansion. Board Co-Chair Stephanie Valencia is Happy Valley's Events Director. Walnut Street Bridge sponsor.
• Scenic City Clay ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Between the Bridges festival Potters Alley. Mutual discount arrangement: AVA members receive 5% off SCCA classes, SCCA members receive 10% off AVA membership.
• Hunter Museum of American ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual discount arrangement: AVA members receive 15% off first-time Hunter Museum memberships for Individual, Dual, and Passport levels.
• NorthShore Merchants CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Chalk Alley public art project completed in 2023. AVA now manages donations for upkeep and maintenance of this mural space.
• Little Things LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Chalk Alley public art project with muralist Alecia Vera Buckles.
• Artwork ArchiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides 20% off subscription for AVA members for life through partnership discount program.
• Bluff View Art DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAVA members receive 10% off at Rembrandt's Coffee House, Tony's Pasta, and select items at River Gallery.
• Clearstory ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAVA members receive 50% off shared workspace memberships ($25 value). Includes 24/7 access, storage, coffee, and community events.
• Gannon Art CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAVA members receive 10% off framing and art supplies at Gannon Art Center.
• Plum NellyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAVA members receive 10% off any one item at this gift shop featuring jewelry, house collections, and bridal registry.
• Townsend AtelierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAVA members receive 10% off printmaking classes and hourly printing press rental at this art supply and class studio.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Hunter Museum of American Art: Chattanooga's major art museum located steps from AVA on the North Shore. Operates a similar visual arts mission, accepts reciprocal AVA member discounts, and competes for the same regional donor and audience pool.
• River Gallery: Chattanooga-area commercial gallery in Bluff View Art District offering AVA members10% discounts. Comparable as a regional visual arts venue serving the same Chattanooga collector and artist base.

Direct peers

• ArtsBuild: Chattanooga's primary arts funding and capacity-building organization that provides year-round operational support to AVA. Comparable as a regional nonprofit hub supporting the arts ecosystem through grants and community programs.
• Torpedo Factory Art Center: National model of artist studios combined with public gallery space and educational programming. Closely mirrors AVA's combination of gallery exhibitions, artist member services, and community arts programming.
• Hyde Park Art Center: Chicago-based nonprofit visual arts center offering exhibitions, artist development programs, and education. Directly mirrors AVA's model of combining a rotating gallery, member-based artist services, and education programming.
• Kala Art Institute: Berkeley-based nonprofit combining artist studios, exhibition programming, and professional development education. Comparable to AVA's gallery-plus-education-plus-cohort-based artist development model.
• Creative Growth: Oakland-based nonprofit advancing artists with disabilities through studio practice, exhibitions, and representation. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit combining artist development, exhibitions, and gallery sales.

Broad incumbents

• Artspace: National nonprofit supporting artist-led projects, exhibitions, and community-based programming. Operates a similar nonprofit arts-service mission across multiple cities, with broader scale and reach than AVA.
• Soho House: Global membership-based creative community offering exhibition programming, member spaces, and artist events. Comparable only at the membership-arts-programming model level, though at vastly larger scale and consumer-lifestyle focus.

Emerging players

• Elsewhere Museum: Greensboro, NC artist residency and living museum combining artist residencies, exhibitions, and community engagement. Comparable as a place-based nonprofit blending artist services, public programming, and exhibitions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-visual-arts-501c3-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for Visual Arts