Address: 200 East M L King Boulevard. Chattanooga, TN 37403 - Phone: (423) 266-8658
Featured News & Events
Bessie Smith Strut
Event Dates: Monday, Jun. 10th 2013
The legendary Bessie Smith Strut will take place on Monday, June 10th on Martin Luther King Blvd. Each year the Strut features amazing people, great food and live blues and R&B music …
Songbook: Euge Groove
Event Dates: Saturday, Jun. 29th 2013
Euge Groove is coming to the Bessie as part of our Songbook series on Saturday, June 29th at 7 pm. Individual tickets are $30 each and $25 each for groups of 8 or more. For the group dis…
For All The World To See: Visual Culture and The Struggle for Civil Rights
Event Dates: Sep. 1st 2013 – Oct. 20th 2013
For All The World To See: Visual Culture and The Struggle for Civil Rights is a National Endowment for the Humanities traveling exhibition that will be on display in the museum galleries Sep…
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.…
Traveling Exhibition on Emancipation to Visit Bessie Smith Cultural Center in 2013
Event Dates: Aug. 1st 2013 – Oct. 1st 2013
As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War gets into full swing, the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area has enlarged its traveling exhibition on emancipation. The enhanced exhibitio…
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
Swan Dreams Project: The Power of Imagery
Swan Dreams Project: The Power of Imagery (SDP) is an exhibition that will be at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center March …
Upcoming Events
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Friday, Jun. 7
The Fair Game Project
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is pleased to welcome back Shan…
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Monday, Jun. 10
Bessie Smith Strut
The legendary Bessie Smith Strut will take place on Monday, June…
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Saturday, Jun. 29
Songbook: Euge Groove
Euge Groove is coming to the Bessie as part of our Songbook serie…
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!
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We depend on the generous contributions of our members and supporters to continue the important work of collecting and preserving African American history.
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Museum Hours
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Closed
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