Bessie Smith Cultural Center of Chattanooga

Address: 200 East M L King Boulevard. Chattanooga, TN 37403  -  Phone: (423) 266-8658

Directions & Admission Info

Featured News & Events

Bessie Smith Strut

Event Dates:  Monday, Jun. 9th 2014

The  legendary Bessie Smith Strut will take place on Monday, June 9th on  Martin Luther King Blvd. Each year the Strut features amazing people,  great food and live blues and R & B mu…

Bright Ideas: African American Inventors Gallery Talk

Event Dates:  Tuesday, May. 20th 2014

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center and the Mary Walker Foundation invite you to join us and historian John Edwards, curator of Bright Ideas: African American Inventors for a gallery talk for B…

Songbook: Euge Groove

Event Dates:  Saturday, Apr. 19th 2014

The Bessie is celebrating jazz appreciation month with Songbook: Euge Groove. Groove, is a smooth jazz saxophonist with a strong Top-40 background and  will return to the Bessie on Saturday…

The Fine Art of Jazz

Event Dates:  Apr. 7th 2014 – May. 24th 2014

Fine Art of Jazz Opens at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center The Bessie Smith Cultural Center along with Jazzanooga will celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month by hosting The Fine Art of Jazz, an …

Crossings a new exhibition by James McKissic

Event Dates:  Jan. 12th 2013 – Mar. 2nd 2013

"Crossings" a new exhibition by artist James McKissic will be on display at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in the Museum gallery through March 2, 2013. Artist Statement: My work is born o…

Backstage with Louis Armstrong

Event Dates:  Friday, Jan. 18th 2013

The UTC Music Department in collaboration with Bessie Smith Cultural Center will present Backstage with Louis Armstrong, featuring guest vocalist Danny Mullen. The performance will take plac…

Sneak peak of “Negro Spirituals” – A Solo exhibition by Aaron Henderson

Event Dates:  Mar. 11th 2013 – May. 4th 2013

Negro Spiritual Narrative: I have always known the spirits and they know me. The first generation of enslaved Africans brought to America had to fight to hold on to their sense of God.…

Friends of African American Art

Event Dates:  Saturday, Jan. 1st 2011

About Friends of African American Art: Friends of African American Art is an interest group formed by the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and the Hunter Museum of American Art for art lovers…

“The Bessie” Event Photos!

Posted:  Tuesday, Feb. 15th 2011 – 12:39pm

An Intimate Evening with Avery*Sunshine …

Current Exhibit

Bright Ideas: African American Inventors

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is pleased to present “Bright Ideas: African American Inventors” in the museum gall…

Read More

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Welcome to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center

Located in the mecca of Chattanooga, TN, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is a Chattanooga landmark and an educational resource that enriches the cultural life of visitors through renowned artistic exhibits, high quality musical events and performances, and historical educational and cultural programs.

Discover culture, history, art, and entertainment at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center!

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is a funded agency of ArtsBuild.

Read More

Get Involved

We depend on the generous contributions of our members and supporters to continue the important work of collecting and preserving African American history.

Become A Member

Donate

Follow Us

Museum Hours

Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Closed

Admission Information