Grantee Stories

PRIZM Ensemble PRIZM forges equitable relationships with youth and leadership in underserved communities though their music educational programming and community collaborations. PRIZM shares the belief that every child, regardless of gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status deserves access to exceptional and high-quality musical programs. With a strong commitment to youth education, they are constantly seeking ways to enrich the lives of your children and others within the... Read More

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum It is hard to miss the rich musical history present in Memphis. The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum serves as a gateway to the Memphis music experience by working to preserve and tell the story of Memphis music to perpetuate its legacy. The museum tells the story of musicians, music, labels, and studios that are not told elsewhere to preserve the legacy of musical pioneers of our city. The inception of the Memphis Rock ‘n’... Read More

Theatre Memphis What began as the “Little Theatre” in 1920 has grown into one of the oldest community theatres in the country, Theatre Memphis, with a mission to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of audiences and the community.  Theatre Memphis presents up to twelve productions each season on two stages.  As a community theatre they engage more than 750 volunteers each year, who do everything from starring in productions to ushering... Read More

Circuit Playhouse Circuit Playhouse Inc., which includes Playhouse on the Square and The Circuit Playhouse, is celebrating their 50 th Anniversary this year. While the Mid-South region is fortunate to boast numerous theatres, no other is like Circuit Playhouse. As the Mid-South’s only resident company of professional performers, their cutting edge shows challenge audiences and speak to the intelligence, diversity, and soul of our community. In addition to their mainstage shows,... Read More

New Ballet Ensemble & School New Ballet Ensemble & School’s name points to the very heart of their organization. While once referring to the professional leg of their organization, it now includes all performers at New Ballet with members ranging in age from 6 to adult. The intent is to integrate professional teaching and performing artists, student artists and renowned guest artists into their classes and innovative performances across Memphis and the world. Founded in... Read More

IndieMemphis This year, Indie Memphis will be putting on the 22 nd annual Indie Memphis Film Festival, October 30 through November 4 in Overton Square. This nationally recognized event transforms our city into a connecting point for filmmakers, musicians, artists, and audiences alike while showing hundreds of films over the course of a week.  Through this annual film festival, weekly film series, artist development and a youth film program, Indie Memphis strives to create community... Read More

RiverArtsFest RiverArtsFest is the longest-running fine arts festival in the region and attracts thousands of visitors every year. There are over 180 gallery artists represented, live musical entertainment, street performances, local artists, projects for kids, food, and more! The two-day festival presents the rich, cultural artistic diversity and talent from all over the Mid-south and across the country. What does RiverArtsFest do the other 363 days of the year once this incredible... Read More

National Ornamental Metal Museum The Metal Museum, sitting on the historic former United States Marine Hospital overlooking the Mississippi River, is a gem hidden just south of downtown Memphis. The museum opened in 1979 and has since expanded to an entire campus containing a library, resident space for artists, a blacksmith shop, the Lawler Foundry, a repairs and restoration lab, sculpture gardens, and a lovely gazebo overlooking the river. It is the only institution in the United States... Read More

Memphis Black Arts Alliance In the decade following Dr. King’s assassination in Memphis, many black-led organizations that faced challenges to thrive on their own, began an alliance of 19 black arts organizations led by Bennie Nelson West.  Today, the MBAA is dedicated to the “…preservation, celebration and advancement of African American arts, culture and literature…”  according to West’s successor, current executive director,... Read More

Opera Memphis Opera Memphis has a national reputation for working to ensure that opera is accessible to all. This reputation is rooted in the 1950s, when world-renowned vocal performer Florence Cole Talbert-McCleave did her part to ensure that opera in Memphis was accessible to everyone in the community.  Talbert- McCleave broke with convention by extending an invitation for national touring opera singers to perform for black audiences in Memphis at what is now LeMoyne-Owen College at... Read More

Quark Theatre Quark Theater’s production of Pulitzer nominee Will Eno’s Wakey, Wakey, is described by company co-founder, Adam Remsen, as “a funny, thoughtful, at times tearful, examination of what it means to be human”. The grant from ArtsMemphis helped create a production that is more technically involved than the company’s previous stripped-down approach.  As one of ArtsMemphis’ newest operating support grantee, the company is energized as it... Read More