Tennessee loses arts Leader, Mai Bell Hurley

By Anne B. Pope, Executive Director –

Tennessee lost a tremendous champion of the arts when Mai Bell Hurley, 87, died last Friday morning, September 7. Her significant service has greatly impacted countless people and helped communities become stronger by improving quality of life, economic development and arts education.

Ms. Hurley was on the  Tennessee Arts Commission board and was chair from 1972-73 and 1973-74. She was also founding member of Allied Arts (the precursor to ArtsBuild), and was chairwoman of the organization’s board. Hurley also served as chairwoman of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera.

A well-known and respected public servant and arts leader in Chattanooga, Ms. Hurley was honored in March with ArtsBuild’s 2015 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award for her contributions. You can watch the tribute slideshow from ArtsBuild that was shown at the event here.