Mission
The mission of Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is to create and maintain a sculpture park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, of the highest quality, international scope and of lasting value and benefit to the City and the region. To establish programming, benefiting the local, regional arts establishment, the education community at all levels and the citizenry at large.
History
In 1911 Mrs. Mary Thayer Montague, widow of T.G. Montague, donated 49 acres of pristine land to be used as a park to the City of Chattanooga.
During the 1940s the park was misused as a construction landfill, and in later years it was used for various recreational activities including kite competitions, motocross racing and softball tournaments. The park was shut down in 2003 due to environmental concerns. It had become a brownfield.
The idea of a sculpture park was envisioned in 2006 and a grassroots effort led by internationally renowned sculptor John Henry kicked off. In 2012 Sculpture Fields received its 501c3 non-profit determination and a 40-year lease was signed with City of Chattanooga to develop Sculpture Fields on 33 acres of Montague Park.
Since its reopening in 2016, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park has become the largest sculpture park in the Southeast and one of a Chattanooga’s premier tourist destinations. The park brings an international flair to a city already known as a bastion of appreciation for pivotal local and national historic and cultural events. Sculpture Fields adds to the legacy of our City’s forward-thinking pioneers that enhances the cultural life of the community.
DIVERSITY
At Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We believe that the richness of our organization is enhanced by the contributions, perspectives, and experiences of individuals from all walks of life.
Diversity: We celebrate and embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, age, abilities, and perspectives. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive environment contributes to the vibrancy and strength of our artistic community.
Equity: We are dedicated to creating and maintaining an equitable space in our park and facilities where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed.
Inclusion: We strive to cultivate an inclusive culture where all individuals feel valued, respected, and heard. We promote an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, open dialogue, and the sharing of diverse ideas. We are committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bias.
Our Commitment:
1. Representation: We are dedicated to ensuring that our programs, events, and leadership reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively seek to amplify underrepresented voices in the arts.
2. Accessibility: We have created accessible spaces and opportunities for engagement, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ability, can participate in and enjoy our artistic offerings.
3. Continuous Learning: We commit to ongoing education initiatives that include understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues as applied to the arts. We encourage our community to engage in this journey with us.
4. Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for the progress we make toward our diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. We welcome feedback from our community and are committed to adapting and improving our practices.
We affirm our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization within the arts.