The Town of Signal Mountain
Arts & Culture
Mountain Arts Community Center
The mission of the MACC is to provide and facilitate opportunities to explore arts, culture, civic and educational activities that foster personal growth and benefit the community.
Winter/Spring 2010 Catalog
MACC Director, Barb Storm
macc@signalmountaintn.gov
809 Kentucky Avenue
886-1959
The Mountain Arts Community Center (MACC) is located in the historic building that served as Signal Mountain’s first grammar school. The Signal Mountain Grammar School was built in 1926 of local materials with some Craftsman Style qualities. The local stone used on the exterior creates a unique look for a school.
In May 1998, with the completion of a new school, Nolan Elementary, the Signal Mountain Grammar School was closed. It was then that a small group of dedicated citizens banded together to research, plan and raise funds to transform the old school building into a full-time community center for the Town. In 1999, the Mountain Arts Community Center opened its doors. In 2001 the MACC building was listed on the National Historic Registry.
Today, the MACC offers classes in dance, music, theater arts, fine arts, pottery, sculpture, weaving, Yoga, Tai Chi and more. The halls hum with activity and are filled with friends and neighbors’ enjoying all the MACC has to offer.
The MACC also functions as a multi-purpose facility that provides a home for clubs, organizations, civic gatherings and special presentations. The Signal Mountain Lion’s Club, Weight Watchers, and the Southeast Iris Society all meet at the MACC. Its 250 seat, fully equipped auditorium is the winter home of the Signal Mountain Playhouse.
During the year, the MACC offers a variety of special events. The Coffee House Series spotlights local musicians who host casual evenings of music, song and story. Arts on the Mountain showcases the talents of local and regional artists, working in a variety of media. In October, the MACC produces Signal Mountain’s popular Fall Hodgepodge craft fair, which is held in the Town Gym. In the summer, the MACC oversees various “Summer Fun Camps” for kids.
The Friends of the MACC, a non-profit organization, helps generate financial support beyond the annual budget provided by the Town for the center’s operations. In addition to individual and group support, the Friends have been highly successful in garnering foundation funding to purchase equipment and provide the MACC with needed repairs and renovation.
A brochure listing class offerings is mailed to all mountaintop residents twice a year, in August and November. Residents are entitled to reduced tuition fees. To enroll in a class, download a Registration Form and mail it or drop it off at the MACC. For questions or more information about classes, scheduling, on-going programs, and special events, contact the MACC at 886-1959 or go to signalmountainMACC.org.
Rental Space at the MACC
Individuals or groups can also rent space at the MACC to host weddings, receptions, anniversary or birthday parties, and meetings. A full kitchen is available for catered events, and by special permit (available at the Town Hall), alcohol can be served. For more information contact the MACC at 886-1959 or the Town Hall at 886-2717. Spaces available for rent are as follows:
- Individual meeting rooms (size 20 x 30)
- Auditorium
- 250 seats*
- Movie Screen*
- Projector
- Theatrical lighting
- Theatrical sound
- Dining Room/Kitchen
- 120 chairs
- 10 six-foot tables
- 4 four-foot round tables
- 2 eight-foot tables
- 14 white tablecloths
- 10 glass flower vases
- 2 complete stoves
- 2 Microwave ovens
- Refrigerator
Directions to the MACC
Follow Hwy 127 up the mountain. Once inside the Town limits, take your first left onto Signal Mountain Blvd (just before the red light). The road will curve to the right (and change names to Maryland Ave). At the next intersection, turn right onto Kentucky Avenue. MACC is the first building on the left.
Signal Mountain Library
Librarian, Karin Glendenning
kglendenning@signalmountaintn.gov
1114 James Boulevard
423-886-READ (7323) or FAX: 423-886-3735
“The mission of the Town of Signal Mountain Library is to provide the community with a core collection of recreational, educational, and informational library materials and technology resources; to assure ease of access to materials; and to provide programs that stimulate awareness and use of library resources.”
In 1926, the Signal Mountain Library began as a volunteer library located in the Signal Mountain Grammar School, now the MACC. In 1954, the Library moved to the old Signal Mountain Post Office at the corner of James and Signal Mountain Boulevards until 1970 when it moved to its current location. The present Library building, constructed in 1987, was paid for by donations from mountaintop residents.
The Library operates as a department of the Town of Signal Mountain under the direction of the Librarian and her staff and receives no annual subsidy from the State of Tennessee or any other local governments. It is completely funded by Town residents through property taxes and donations.
The Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization, helps generate financial support above the annual budget provided by the Town for the Library’s operation. The Friends host an annual book sale; sell used books at the Book Nook on the lower level of the Library; and accept memorial donations and other contributions from individuals or groups wishing to support the Library’s collection and its programs.
The Mountain Library Foundation, which operates under the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, encourages and receives large donations that are held for investment to finance capital projects and major new initiatives to achieve its mission to bring the Library to a level of excellence not possible with current town funding and to establish the Library as an outstanding community resource.
Membership
Town residents (including children in the 3rd grade and up) may obtain a free library card that allows them to check out materials and use the computers. Non-residents must pay a yearly fee of $60 per family to enjoy the same privileges.
Library Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Noon to 8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am to 6pm |
| Thursday | Noon to 8pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10am to 2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Policies
- Checking Out Materials: Books, books on tape and CD may be checked out for two weeks. Movies may be checked out for one week. A one-time renewal is available on all items except for those that are on reserve. There is a charge of 25 cents a day for overdue books and audio books. Overdue movies are $1 a day.
- Computer Use: Those wishing to use the computers are asked to sign in at the desk and complete an Internet Policy Form. Minors must have parental permission to access the Internet. Printed computer pages cost 25 cents each. Help is available at the desk.
Services
- Photocopier: There is a photocopy machine on the main level of the Library. Copies are 25 cents a page.
- Group Meeting Space: Space on the lower level may be reserved for group meetings.
- Used Books for Sale: The Book Nook, a used book sale, is located on the Library’s lower level and is open during Library hours. Proceeds go to support the Friends of the Library.
The Library Collection
- Books: The Library has over 26,000 titles in fiction and non-fiction for preschoolers, children, young adults and adults. Large print books are also available for the visually impaired.
- Audio Books: The Library has over 700 audiotapes and audio CD’s available in current and classic titles for everyone.
- Movies: Current and classic movies are available in either VHS or CD format.
- Computer: Three (3) computers are located in the Library for use by patrons to search the Internet or for creating documents using various software products.
- Local History: The Signal Mountain Historical Committee maintains an archive of materials such as maps, photographs, newspaper clippings, and books on the history of Walden’s Ridge and the Town. Books by local authors Emma Bell Miles, Gordon Wetmore and Mary and William O. Steele are included. Donations of historical items are always welcome.
- Magazines and Newspapers: The Library subscribes to more than 10 magazines and newspapers. Magazine subscriptions include Consumer Reports and Southern Living. Newspapers include the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the New York Times Book Review.
- School Reading Lists: Reading lists are available at the Circulation Desk.
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Programs
- Story time for Toddlers: Stories, puppets, and songs for young children are used to encourage a love of books and libraries. An adult must accompany children. It meets at 11am on Tuesdays during the school year.
- Chess Club: The Chess Club meets at the Library Monday evenings at 6.
- Mother/Daughter Book Club: Meets once a month, as called.
- Creative Writing: The Library offers a creative writing workshop led by Bruce Palmer, retired professor and professional writer. It meets Monday evenings at 6.
- Summer Reading Program: In the summer, the Library offers a summer reading program with special events for children ages 2 and up. Call for more information.
- Other Activities: The Library also offers various seasonal activities such as Poetry Night, Banned Books Week, and Amnesty for Fines during National Library Week.
- Volunteerism: The Library offers those aged 16 and up an opportunity to volunteer at the library at least 4 hours a month. Duties include checking in/out materials, shelving books, and assisting staff with special projects. To volunteer, sign-up at the Library.
Signal Mountain Playhouse
Corner of James Boulevard and Rolling Way
886-1959 or smph.org
The Signal Mountain Playhouse was established in 1972 to provide the youth in the community with a summer activity. Now the July production is a full-scale musical involving adults, teenagers and children ages 7 and up. Performances take place in a natural outdoor amphitheater behind the Town Complex at the corner of James Boulevard and Rolling Way. Over the years, seating, a band shell, lighting, sound equipment and storage buildings have been added to support the productions. Summer presentations have included plays such as “Oklahoma”, “South Pacific”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Peter Pan”, “The Wizard of Oz”, and “Oliver”.
In 1980, the playhouse elected to present a winter production as well. This performance takes place in February in the auditorium of the Mountain Arts Community Center. This production has an adult cast and is oriented for adult audiences. Winter presentations have included “Sweet and Hot! The Songs of Harold Arlen”, “Don’t Dress for Dinner”, “The Odd Couple”, “Harvey”, and “Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got the Will?”
The Signal Mountain Playhouse operates under the Town Recreation Department. It is a volunteer organization governed by a board of twenty directors, elected for three-year terms, which rotate each year. Its members are responsible for choosing the plays and are directly involved in the production.
For questions or more information about the Playhouse call 886-1959 or visit www.smph.org.