We all play a role.

ARTSmemphis is driven to support diverse forms of artistic expression in our community, geographically, culturally, racially, and artistically. We support our arts community from the north to south, east to west, emerging to established, dance to canvas, voice to acting, education to participation. The composition and diversity of our grants is intentionally designed to foster, encourage, and accelerate. 

Without financial support from our donors, the arts foundation of our city would suffer a devastating blow. We are fortunate to live in a city that is widely recognized for its strong philanthropy community. The spirit of giving and support is manifested in the donations and commitments, which we receive every year.

When you give to ARTSmemphis, you are part of a $3.4 million investment in 63 arts groups and hundreds of artists that provide arts experiences across Shelby County.

Economic Impact

In 2022, ARTSmemphis facilitated the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 (AEP6) in partnership with 86 local nonprofit arts and culture organizations to measure the social and economic impact of the sector in Shelby County. The result? Arts and culture organizations reported $120.7 million in annual spending and an additional $72.2 million in event-related spending by their audiences—generating $38 million in tax revenue and supporting 3,775 jobs in Shelby County. To learn more, read the final report.

ABOUT AEP6. The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. It was supported by The Ruth Lilly Endowment Fund of Americans for the Arts. Americans for the Arts' 297 study partners contributed both time and financial support to the study. For a full list of the communities who participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study, visit AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.