The Tennessee Valley Art Association (TVAA) was incorporated in 1964 and has provided cultural enrichment to Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee citizens for over 45 years.  A 501(c)(3) non-profit community supported organization, the TVAA operates two centers for cultural activity - the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art and historic Ritz Theatre.

The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, constructed in 1972, houses the corporate offices of the Association's active visual and theatre arts programs.  The Museum was renovated in 1998, more than doubling its space.  The expansion included the permanent installation of the Martin Petroglyph. 

The Museum offers enlightening exhibitions that rotate every six to eight weeks.  ArtWorks, a multi-media art exhibition by TVAA members and The Trees of Christmas, an exhibition of 12' live fir trees with a variety of themes decorated by artists and community groups are annual exhibits.

The museum provides the community with juried art competitions; workshops for adults and students; and educational outreach programs at the museum, in schools and public venues.

The museum organizes the Helen Keller Festival of the Arts, a two-day outdoor event that is a featured part of the annual Helen Keller Festival.  The Festival of the Arts takes an interactive approach that allows adults and children to experience a variety of art disciplines in ways that are beneficial to both artist and audience.  Jury selected master artists from across the southeast and beyond display beautiful one of a kind art for sale in Tuscumbia's scenic Spring Park.  Work includes two and three-dimensional work such as watercolors, oils, wood, fiber, clay, glass, metal and more.

In 1985, TVAA purchased and restored the historic Ritz Theatre in Sheffield as a home for its performing arts programs.  The Ritz, a former silent movie house, was built in 1927.  It was remodeled in the popular Art Deco style in the early 1930's to "accommodate the talkies".  The Art Deco style was retained when it was remodeled in 1985.  In 2009 the facade of the theatre was renovated and included a replica of the original neon sign.

Programs at the Ritz include Center Stage Community Theatre, SummerStock at the Ritz, New Stage, Time Out for Theatre, as well providing the community with a venue for seminars, receptions, lectures, pageants and more.

The construction of the Museum and the revival of the Ritz have been accomplished through the collective efforts of Shoals' private, business and corporate communities.  The Tennessee Valley Art Association is dedicated to making the arts accessible to the community, to continue the quest for excellence in artistic programming and to providing educational and recreational activities of a cultural nature at the Museum and the Ritz.