For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf | Nooga Vision

We’re thrilled to announce Noogavision Theatre and Performing Arts as one of our UNFoundation grant winners! This dynamic local organization is empowering communities through theatre and mental health awareness, and their latest production is sure to make waves in Chattanooga.

For Colored Girls is the second installment of Noogavision’s “Arts in Mental Health” series, offering an experiential and deeply impactful performance about the struggles and triumphs of Black women. With 21 women of color in the cast, this production will not only showcase powerful theatre, but also provide a space for open dialogue about mental health in communities of color.

Thanks to the UNFoundation’s $3,000 grant, Noogavision can now guarantee artist stipends for the cast, which is essential for recognizing their dedication—48 hours of rehearsals and four performances! The funds will allow Noogavision to pay each artist $100, ensuring that the local talent who are bringing this story to life are compensated fairly.

The show will run for four Sundays in February and March 2025, and will be followed by post-show discussions facilitated by mental health professionals, giving the audience a chance to engage directly with the themes of the play.

This grant isn’t just about the performance; it’s about breaking cultural stigmas, empowering artists, and fostering healthy, open conversations on mental health. By compensating local artists and creating a platform for Black voices, Noogavision is making Chattanooga a more inclusive and supportive place for everyone.

We can’t wait to see the impact of For Colored Girls—and we’re excited to support Noogavision as they continue to make art that heals, challenges, and connects our community! 🎭✨

Summer Art Camp | The Seed Theate

Surely you know about The Seed Theatre. Their mission is to support marginalized communities (particularly LGBTQ+, BIPOC and their families) by providing resources, education, support and community while celebrating differences through arts and culture.

Enter Summer Art Camp, led by the acclaimed art educator Brouquelle Long. Designed to spark creativity in Chattanooga’s youth, campers aged 6-18 explored painting, sculpture, and more through engaging workshops and collaborative projects, all within a supportive and inclusive environment.

The camp featured three dynamic 3-day sessions (yeah, 9 sessions total) tailored to different age groups: 6-10, 11-13, and 14-18. Each class was taught by Brouquelle, whose six years of experience and numerous awards make her a standout in the art education field.

Our $3,000 grant offered 24 scholarships to ensure that financially marginalized children can participate at no cost, with the remaining spots available to paying participants.

Shouldn’t everyone have access to art education? It offers them a chance to express themselves, boost their confidence, and develop vital skills—all while having fun. By making the arts accessible, future generations of artists and community leaders can spring to life.

Child and Family Enrichment | Chattanooga Room in the Inn

We proudly announce our $3,000 October grant to Chattanooga Room in the Inn (CRITI), a vital organization providing temporary shelter and support services to women and children experiencing homelessness. Our grant will directly impact the lives of shelter residents by supporting them through education, health, and well-being initiatives. How, exactly? We’ll tell ya.

• Therapeutic Activities: Art supplies, sensory and mindfulness toys, as well as workbooks $515

• Local Adventures: Creative Discovery Museum, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Rock City $500

• Tutoring Supplies $245

• Outside Talent: yoga instructors, ceramists, dance instructors $500

• Extracurricular activities: sports, dance, gymnastics, and spring, fall, and summer camps. $1,240

CRITI invests in the family as a whole. More healthy, confident, self-sufficient families in Chattanooga benefit local schools and workplaces and hopefully inspire families to spend more time together healing. As CRITI families in transition begin to engage in these programs, results should follow quickly.

Healing from trauma takes a village. We’re proud to support CRITI and families experiencing homelessness here in Chattanooga.

Empower Youth Initiative | Be The Change

Get ready for a story splashed with vibrant colors and empowered teens! Be The Change, a nonprofit in Red Bank, Tennessee, is on a mission to empower youth through art and mental health advocacy, and the UNFoundation is proud to be their paintbrush partner.

Think about it: local artists sharing their stories and skills with high schoolers at Red Bank High and Soddy Daisy Middle School? It's happening! These students are discovering how art can heal, inspire, and even build businesses. Soon, Be The Change will be fueling student entrepreneurship by helping them set up shop. Imagine a youth-powered art gallery at The Meeting House, a buzzing coffee spot in Red Bank. Sounds pretty awesome, right?

But it's not all about masterpieces. These projects have a deeper purpose: 75% of the art sales will go directly to the artists and instructors, budding entrepreneurs themselves. The remaining 25% becomes a scholarship fund, launching a Red Bank senior's artistic dreams into the real world.

We believe in the power of art to heal, inspire, and empower. That's why we're thrilled to support Be The Change with a $1,500 grant, fueling their workbook printing and that stunning gallery wall at The Meeting House.

Subfest | The Submarine

Subfest is a summer’s day of live music, dancing, togetherness, and joy as a diverse Chattanooga (and beyond) audience celebrates local artistry in many forms. With varying genres from electronic music, to indie, to punk, to various types of rock, and more, Subfest has something for everyone’s tastes. The lineup highlights musicians from all different backgrounds, bands who are women-led, artists belonging to the queer community, and it maintains an age range from 20-year-olds to 60-year-olds. Subfest is open to the public, all ages, completely free admission, and a projection of about 500 attendees all on the campus of local non-profit Stove Works.

So what did we fund, exactly? The majority of the grant money went towards paying the local and regional performing artists for their talent and time. Additionally, a portion of the grant was used to pay two local photographers and a videographer to document Subfest. The UNFoundation supports diverse and inclusive missions. This fit like a latex glove. Whether through music, visual art, non-profit organizations, or local food vendors and small businesses, Subfest is a guaranteed good time and a great opportunity for connection, networking, and new friendships, all within Chattanooga.

Summer Programming | Soft Animal

Soft Animal is a new Chattanooga startup dedicated to centering marginalized people through events and learning opportunities — from drag shows to American Sign Language classes. If you attended Will This Float back in the Fall of 2021 you likely heard their pitch. They are up and running with programs galore. Enter our $3,000 grant for additional programming. So what’s coming down the pike as far as events? Queer Craft Night, Pride Skate with Moonlight Roller, LGBTQ movie night + bonfire, and “Get Outside for Pride!” paddle boarding at Greenway Farms with Outshine Adventures.

Sound, Safety and Support | Sanctuary Cafe and Performing Arts

June was Pride Month, so we just happened to fund a grassroots group dedicated to queer and trans Chattanoogans. But they do so much more. Sanctuary Cafe and Performing Arts was founded in 2020 amidst a tumultuous year due to the lack safe and transformative places for queer and trans people in Chattanooga. It is owned and operated by trans community members. The 4,600 square foot building is home to tons of programming including a flourishing performance group including a newly launched children’s theatre, a community closet, all age sober shows, community gardening, support groups for queer and trans people and a special support group for families and youth. Sanctuary’s mission is to lift marginalized voices and encourage community while integrating queer and trans culture into southern society in a safe and healthy way. Y’all means all after all.

So what did we fund, you ask? Well, we fixed a leaky roof (yes, they have a lease), purchased sound and lighting for the theatre, and added 7 Ring cameras to every room in the space including outside. Sanctuary has already benefited over 400 people and is growing fast. We hope our June grant gave them more momentum to do more good in our great city.

Make Music Day | Make Music Chattanooga

Make Music Chattanooga brings to life here in our city an event called Make Music Day, or Fêta De La Musique. This worldwide celebration of music, where musicians – of all levels at any age – fill the city’s streets, parks, rooftops, etc., playing live music on June 21st (the Summer Solstice). Started in France in 1982 it has grown to include over 700 cities in 120 different countries. All cities have the freedom to celebrate Make Music Day in whatever way best represents their talent, people, and musical culture.

In its sixth year, all events will be outdoors and our $2,085 grant will mostly be used to pay artists. We’re talking everything from a Music Themed Art Class at Keeody Gallery to a Jazz on Kazoo Workshop by Doors Open Jazz. Find an event near you and show up!