The AEC enriches the Chattanooga community by providing innovative, artistic experiences.
The Arts & Education Council (AEC) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1952 as the Adult Education Council. It was one of 12 pilot agencies founded by a Ford Foundation grant. In 1983, the organization changed its name to the Arts & Education Council to more accurately reflect its outreach in Chattanooga. The AEC is the only organization of the 12 still in existence.
The AEC produces innovative events and programs that enrich the Chattanooga community, including the Conference on Southern Literature and its school literacy outreach, the Chattanooga Festival of Writers, Culture Fest, TheatreExpress, the Back Row Film Series, Independent Film Series, and current affairs television programs “Point of View” and “First View.”
In 2009, we reached 70,000 through these outreach initiatives. The AEC receives support from Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, the Tennessee Arts Commission, local and regional foundations, corporations, community and individual contributors.
