Monday, Jun 4, 2018
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (June 4, 2018) – Local muralist and community activist Gerard Harris is the recipient of the eighth annual Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration. The award, known informally as "The Emmett," is given annually by Renasant Bank to a distinguished visual artist in Shelby County. It is named in honor of Emmett O'Ryan, a founding Board Member of Metropolitan Bank, which merged with...
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at Monday, Jun 4, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Come to Colonial Middle School on Saturday, May 12th, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, for the 9th Annual ArtsFest , presented by Shelby County Schools. ArtsFest is a celebration of the district’s rising stars in the visual and performing arts. The festivities will include over 900 student performers and nearly 1,000 pieces of student artwork. More than 150 local schools will be represented at the event.
In conjunction with this event, our friends at SCS...
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at Friday, May 11, 2018
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Nothing makes us happier at ArtsMemphis than seeing our grantees team up in innovative ways. For example, on the afternoon of May 9th, players from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra are performing as part of Creative Aging 's Senior Arts Series for older adults. And later that same day, Beale Street Caravan is offering special tickets to their I Listen to Memphis film series Launch Party for members of Indie Memphis . Vive Collaboration!
Here are...
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at Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2018
Congratuations to Ned Canty and Opera Memphis on a well-deserved honor!
Earlier this month, Opera Memphis -- a longtime ArtsMemphis grantee -- was in Madrid, Spain as one of only FIVE(!!!) North American opera companies invited to attend the World Opera Forum. They were represented by current General Director, Ned Canty. All participants were hand-picked to represent one of the four main areas of discussion - Cultural Heritage, Diversity, New...
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at Wednesday, Apr 25, 2018
Wednesday, Apr 4, 2018
The staff and Board of ArtsMemphis join communities around the globe in solemn observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to building a more equitable Memphis. A Memphis in which every resident shares equal access to our world-class cultural assets. A Memphis in which the arts community reflects our city's racial and ethnic diversity. Above all, a Memphis in which...
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at Wednesday, Apr 4, 2018
Tuesday, Mar 13, 2018
Here at ArtsMemphis, we recognize that visual artists are a magnet for creative, entrepreneurial talent throughout our City. That's why, in 2013, we established ArtsAccelerator – a grant program for Shelby County artists in every discipline. These incentive grants are for artists at a critical juncture in their careers. Decisions are made by a rotating panel of experts, and they award five ArtsAccelerator Grants of $5,000 each, totaling $25,000...
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at Tuesday, Mar 13, 2018
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018
This Friday, March 2nd, ArtsMemphis will turn 55! That's right -- we've been around for five-and-a-half decades, serving as the Mid-South's primary arts grant-maker. It all started with the shared vision of a small group of community leaders, including William F. Kirsch, Jr., Irving Metz, and Walter Armstrong. They recognized the need for a central source of funding to sustain our city's anchor arts organizations. Guided by that need, they created the ...
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at Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018
Wednesday, Feb 21, 2018
Earlier this month, the Trump administration released a budget that calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA is a vital source of arts and cultural funds that reaches every congressional district in the United States and costs just $0.46 per taxpayer. In 2017 alone, the agency provided roughly $1.39 million to Tennessee organizations . What's more, for every $1 that the NEA invests in our communities, an...
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at Wednesday, Feb 21, 2018
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2018
At ArtsMemphis, we understand that unrestricted operating support is the most valuable type of funding that an arts organization can receive, and the most difficult type of funding to raise. That's why our Operating Support Grants have been a cornerstone of our mission for more than half a century. And that tradition continues today, thanks to the generosity of more than 1,300 generous individuals, foundations, and businesses.
The Levitt Shell...
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at Wednesday, Feb 14, 2018
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2018
Big news! For the third year in a row, our generous friends at IBERIABANK have agreed to be the Presenting Sponsor for our Art by Design fundraiser. This unique event series brings together over a dozen interior design teams to create custom “vignettes” within a chic gallery showroom. The event will take place from April 5 - 8, 2018 at the Historic Pipkin Building on the Memphis Fairgrounds.
The exciting lineup of events includes a VIP...
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at Wednesday, Jan 31, 2018
Friday, Dec 15, 2017
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..... Fa la la la la la la la!
The coffee conversation this morning was about holiday giving.
Where are you doing your shopping? What did you get? At ArtsMemphis we like to support the arts and this season is one of the most fun! Here are some of our suggestions. Share yours in the comments.
Elizabeth is excited to check out the Brooks Museum of Art's new store this weekend. Treat yourself to...
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at Friday, Dec 15, 2017
Wednesday, Dec 13, 2017
Congratulations on a well-deserved honor for Dorothy Gunther Pugh and Ballet Memphis.
ArtsMemphis Grantee, Ballet Memphis, is an authentic Memphis asset with a widely acclaimed original repertoire that speaks of the cultural significance of our area.
Dorothy Gunther Pugh founded Ballet Memphis in 1986 with two dancers. Today, the company has 25 dancers and have recently moved into their new, state of the ART, home in Midtown.
In 1985, ArtsMemphis...
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at Wednesday, Dec 13, 2017
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2017
ArtsMemphis recently provided a grant to the Tennessee Art Education Association to provide 25 scholarships to art educators in Shelby County to attend this year’s annual state conference, held at the Memphis College of Art, October 26-28, 2017.
Awarded Scholarships
Arlington Community Schools: 1
Bartlett City Schools: 3
Collierville Municipal Schools: 1
Germantown Municipal Schools: 1
Shelby County Schools: 19
Elementary: 17
Elementary AND Middle: 1
...
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Posted by
Ashley Ayikwei
at
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2017
Friday, Dec 1, 2017
Celebrate The Season with Theatre Memphis
Looking for that perfect gift for your theatre-loving friends? Theatre Memphis is offering Holiday Gift Mini Memberships ! This $90 membership includes four tickets to be used at any show, in any combination, that performs January 1 - June 30, 2018. Make a night of it and take your friends to the theatre in 2018 or give this special deal as a gift!
A Christmas Carol
A Memphis Family Holiday Tradition for 40 Years. ...
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at Friday, Dec 1, 2017
Monday, Nov 27, 2017
Celebrate the start of the holiday season at the Metal Museum!
Metal Museum Holiday Open House | Sunday, December 3, 2017 | Noon - 4:00 PM
374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106
ArtsMemphis Grantee , the Metal Museum , will be hosting their open house overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River this Sunday beginning at noon. Take a class, shop for unique, hand-made gifts in the Museum Store , sip on hot chocolate or spiced cider or warm yourself by the fire pit. ...
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at Monday, Nov 27, 2017
Monday, Nov 20, 2017
Some people just land in their dream job. Others go out and forge that job for themselves. That's Jeannie Tomlinson . She's a punk rock goddess and a globetrotting addict. But most of all, she's a dedicated staff member at The Metal Museum , one of our city's most distinctive organizations...and (natch!) an ArtsMemphis grantee.
We think Jeannie hits the nail on the head (with a giant forge hammer!) when she...
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at Monday, Nov 20, 2017
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2017
Here at ArtsMemphis, we support over 80 grantee organizations and artists -- so it's no surprise that our holiday season is packed with holiday-themed arts events. Here are just a few of the shows we think you should check out...
Playhouse on the Square is going to have Peter Pan from Nov. 17th to Dec. 31st. Circuit Playhouse is running David Sedaris' raucous Santaland Diaries from Nov. 30th to Dec. 23rd. Hattiloo has Take the Soul...
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at Wednesday, Nov 15, 2017
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2017
ArtsMemphis is honored to host Americans for the Arts this weekend for the annual National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP) Conference , November 10-13, 2017. We are excited to have the opportunity to highlight a few of our grantees during the course of the event
SATURDAY
Stax Music Academy’s Street Corner Harmonies will perform classical anthems, Negro Spirituals, funk, and more. That afternoon, Ballet Memphis will perform.
Saturday night, ArtsMemphis will host the...
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at Wednesday, Nov 8, 2017
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2017
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC —Americans for the Arts and ArtsMemphis will host the annual National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP) Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, November 10-13, 2017. The largest gathering of arts marketers in the country, the conference is a critical forum for arts groups to discuss the rapidly changing demographics and behaviors of U.S. consumers, as well as how arts and...
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at Wednesday, Nov 8, 2017
Monday, Nov 6, 2017
He's not only a lawyer in real life, he's even played one on the stage! Meet Greg Fletcher. Greg is a perfect example of how a love of the arts is often found where you least expect it -- for instance, in the office of a corporate attorney and Naval Air Force Veteran. Believe it or not, when he's not studying up on cases or preparing briefings at the highly regarded law firm, Baker Donelson, Greg finds time to perform in local theatre productions.
And...
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at Monday, Nov 6, 2017
Monday, Oct 23, 2017
Henry Nelson is a living legend in the Memphis arts community, thanks to his tireless efforts to spread Memphis music through his many radio shows -- from Furry Lewis to Big Mama Thornton to Isaac Hayes and beyond. "The arts," Henry reminds, "bring us all together." That's a lesson worth remembering now more than ever. Don't miss this wonderful profile of an extraordinary human being.
Video produced by Lawrence Shaw. Click...
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at Monday, Oct 23, 2017
Wednesday, Oct 18, 2017
Over the summer, the ArtsMemphis Board welcomed Lucy Lee as its new Board Chairman. Lucy is the perfect person to serve as Board Chair at this pivotal time in ArtsMemphis' history. As a longtime supporter and patron of the arts, she has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that all arts groups face. She also has an abiding commitment to the mission of ArtsMemphis—having served on the Board since 2008, most recently as Vice...
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at Wednesday, Oct 18, 2017
Monday, Oct 16, 2017
Even if you've never met W. Hamilton ("Ham") Smythe, you've almost certainly ridden in one of his family's taxis. Or you've been on the 'Roo bus, or on any number of other transportation options that the Premier Transportation family proudly offers. And you've probably benefited from one of the many business enterprises that Ham has been involved with...ranging from the Agricenter to ArtsMemphis, itself. The fact is, Ham Smythe and his family...
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at Monday, Oct 16, 2017
Monday, Oct 2, 2017
Michai Mosby is no ordinary teenager. He's a got a voice that will move your soul and a kindness that will warm your heart. Michai is one of the many gifted students at the Stax Music Academy -- a longtime grantee of ArtsMemphis.
As Michai says,
Without ArtsMemphis, there would be no Stax Music Academy.
Preach!
Video produced by Lawrence Shaw. Click here to check out more of Lawrence's work .
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at Monday, Oct 2, 2017
Monday, Sep 25, 2017
When you think "opera singer," you probably don't think "biker chick" and "aerialist." But that's what makes Memphis so great. The arts are interwoven with every area of life in our city. That's why Nikola Printz is the perfect subject to kick off our brand new Authentic Stories Campaign. With this series, we'll be featuring local artists and art patrons who have a unique personal story -- with a focus on stories...
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at Monday, Sep 25, 2017
Tuesday, Sep 12, 2017
We were thrilled to learn that The New York Times recently published an Interactive Feature about Memphis' own Charles "Lil Buck" Riley and jookin' -- the dance style that he helped to popularize around the world. The Times feature dissects the mind-bending choreography behind Lil Buck's well-known "The Swan," set to "The Dying Swan," one of the dance world's most celebrated solos. Buck worked on the piece with his ballet...
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at Tuesday, Sep 12, 2017
Wednesday, Sep 6, 2017
ArtsMemphis grantee Opera Memphis is featured in a recent article in the Opera News. Ned Canty, general director of Opera Memphis, says that Opera Memphis receives a $15,000 grant from the NEA for their "30 Days of Opera" festival. If Donald J. Trump's administration's proposed changes to the federal tax code are passed, they may weaken incentives for the charitable donations that opera companies rely on for revenue.
“The people deciding whether to...
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at Wednesday, Sep 6, 2017
Tuesday, Sep 5, 2017
Longtime ArtsMemphis grantee Ballet Memphis, and its brand new Overton Square headquarters are featured in a recent article in the online urban planning hub, Smart City Memphis. The article praises the project for visionary recognition of how the arts could reactivate an unused site, formerly occupied by the defunct French Quarter Hotel.
The article in Smart City also notes that the Ballet building contributes to the increasing exciting arts...
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at Tuesday, Sep 5, 2017
Friday, Sep 1, 2017
Yesterday, at a press conference in Crosstown Concourse, ArtsMemphis announced exciting findings from a newly released economic study showing that Shelby County's nonprofit arts in dustry accounts for nearly $200 million in annual spending and sustains the equivalent of more than 6,000 local jobs .
Our announcement this morning included remarks by Phil Trenary (President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber), Anne Pope (Executive...
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at Friday, Sep 1, 2017
Friday, Aug 25, 2017
For immediate release
ArtsMemphis to Announce Findings from Major Nationwide Study on the Economic Impact of the Arts
MEMPHIS, TN (August 25, 2017) –...
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at Friday, Aug 25, 2017
Friday, Apr 7, 2017
ArtsMemphis-Funded Activities Draw Big Crowds at the National Civil Rights Museum
Above: Watoto Memphis
The National Civil Rights Museum is a 2016 Arts Builds Communities (ABC) grant winner for their funded activity, King Day. King Day is an annual event that has been a centerpiece of the Museum's programming since its opening in 1991. Activities include family arts and cultural programming, youth-centered learning, food vendors and the...
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at Friday, Apr 7, 2017
Thursday, Apr 6, 2017
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (April 6, 2017) – Carl E. Moore, a local visual artist, best known for his vivid, high-contrast paintings, is the recipient of the seventh annual Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration. This award is presented by ArtsMemphis and generously sponsored by Metropolitan Bank, in partnership with Butler Snow. It is given each year to a local artist whose work demonstrates creative and civic leadership within the...
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at Thursday, Apr 6, 2017
Wednesday, Apr 5, 2017
Help #SAVEtheNEA
It's more important than ever to contact our legislators and urge them to #SavetheNEA. ArtsMemphis is setting up postcard writing stations at several arts events around town. We ask you to take a moment to tell our elected officals write why the arts matter to you. #artsmatters Each postcard is addressed and we will add the stamp plus mail it for you.
We recently heard from one Representative who said he received 65 postcards in one...
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at Wednesday, Apr 5, 2017
Tuesday, Apr 4, 2017
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN - (April 4, 2017) – ArtsMemphis will present its 7th Annual Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration at a ceremony this Thursday, April 6th, at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The “Emmett” is given each year to a local artist who has demonstrated creative and civic leadership within the Memphis arts community. The winner receives a $10,000 cash award.
The award is named in honor of...
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at Tuesday, Apr 4, 2017
Friday, Mar 10, 2017
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (March 10th, 2017) – ArtsMemphis has awarded a $25,000 in competitive grants to five artists . ArtsAccelerator is an incentive grant for visual artists who are at a critical juncture in their career.
ArtsMemphis provides five grants of $5,000 each to visual artists from Shelby County to enhance the artist’s overall work or career. By supporting individual artists we are able to provide real and...
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at Friday, Mar 10, 2017
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Memphis Made Brewing Company yesterday for our advocacy event to #SaveTheNEA. We had terrific turnout for the event, and we wrote lots of postcards letting our elected officials know that #ArtMatters to Tennesseeans. Here are some photos from the event.
And be sure to check out this
short video about the event:
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at Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017
Friday, Feb 17, 2017
A new article in the Memphis Business Journal focuses on the potential local affects of cutting the National Endowment for the Arts. The article, by Mary Cashiola, points out the extraordinary cost-benefit calculus behind federal investments in the arts:
For every dollar that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) spends in local communities, another $9 in additional public or private funding follows. ... In Tennessee alone, there are more than 48,000 arts-related jobs,...
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at Friday, Feb 17, 2017
Friday, Nov 18, 2016
Support local artists and arts groups during this holiday season!
Memphis College of Art | 66th Annual Holiday Bazaar & Fundraiser
Friday, November 18: Preview & Purchase Party, 5–10 p.m.
$25/person | Cash Bar
Saturday, November 19: Open Market, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free Admission | Cash Bar | Food Trucks on site
Memphis College of Art's Holiday Bazaar & Fundraiser is back and better than ever! After a pause during 2015, Memphis'...
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at Friday, Nov 18, 2016
Tuesday, Nov 1, 2016
Special exhibit celebrates local teachers who inspire children through art with a show highlighting their own works
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (November 1, 2016) – ArtsMemphis, in partnership with ArtsFirst, has turned the spotlight on teachers for their new exhibit, After School Special , curated by Nikii Richey. The exhibit features 50 pieces of art submitted by 38 art teachers from the Memphis area. A selection committee chose the original works...
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at Tuesday, Nov 1, 2016
Wednesday, Sep 28, 2016
The highly anticipated Artspace South Main Lofts in Downtown Memphis will break ground this Thursday. Nearly ten years in the making, this project will provide affordable housing for artists and creative professionals in the greater Memphis area. The Tennessee Arts Commission has partnered with ArtsMemphis to support the development of this cultural asset and we look forward to witnessing the value it will bring to the Memphis community.
THURSDAY, SEPT 29 | 4 PM - 6 PM...
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at Wednesday, Sep 28, 2016
Monday, Sep 12, 2016
For immediate release
Memphis, TN (September 6, 2016) – Today ArtsMemphis publicly announced the appointment of three new members to the ranks of its Board of Directors. The new members comprise top executives from some of the city’s most prominent companies. They are: Jon Ernst (Vice President/General Manager of Foodservice Business at International Paper); Reginald R. Paige, Sr. (Associate General Counsel at Evergreen Packaging Inc.);...
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at Monday, Sep 12, 2016
Monday, Apr 18, 2016
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (April 18, 2016) – The development of the Artspace South Main Lofts project in Downtown Memphis received another major boost this week, thanks to a grant of $25,000 from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Artspace South Main Lofts, to be located at 138 St. Paul Avenue in the South Main Arts District, will be a 58-unit development that includes both adaptive reuse of an existing warehouse and new construction. When complete, the...
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at Monday, Apr 18, 2016
Monday, Apr 11, 2016
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (April 11th, 2016) – ArtsMemphis today announced details for their unique fundraising event called Art by Design, presented by IBERIABANK. The event will bring together a fifteen of Memphis's most sought-after interior designers to create one-of-a-kind "vignettes" at Propcellar on Summer Ave. Three days of events including parties and tours on April 28th and April 29th, culminating in a public opening on...
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at Monday, Apr 11, 2016
Thursday, Mar 3, 2016
For immediate release
MEMPHIS, TN (March 3, 2016) – Beth Edwards, a Memphis visual artist, best known for her paintings of children’s toys, is the recipient of the sixth annual Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration. This award is given by Metropolitan Bank to a local artist whose work demonstrates artistic mastery.
As the Emmett O’Ryan Award winner, Edwards receives a $10,000 cash award. Edwards was selected based on her decades of making...
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at Thursday, Mar 3, 2016