Fall Arts Guide 2025
Abigail Morici | Memphis Flyer
With federal funding cuts looming, now is the time the time to support the arts.
The arts world in Memphis — and in the country — is facing a time of heightened uncertainty, witnessing federal funding cuts during the spring and summer and now awaiting the ramifications. Yet as Elizabeth Rouse, CEO and president of ARTSmemphis says, “In these times of uncertainty, turning to the arts as a space to have joyful experiences and think about things from different perspectives, it’s a great way to build community and come together” So we at the Flyer hope you look to this Arts Guide as a starting point — to find that joy and that community, and to support the arts because we need them and they need us.
On Display
“Danse Macabre”
A haunting group exhibition.
Ugly Art Co., through October 11
“ARTober ’25”
Members of Artists’ Link exhibit over 40 original works.
WKNO Gallery 1091, through Oct. 29
“The Scarcity of Sand”
New work by Sarah Elizabeth Cornejo.
Clough Hanson Gallery, Rhodes College, through Nov. 1
“Altar of Earth”
David Onri Anderson’s first solo exhibit.
Sheet Cake Gallery, through Nov. 8
Artist talk: Nov. 1, 1 p.m.
“Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South”
Illuminating the processes and practices of Black Southern quilters.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, through Jan. 4
Art & Aperitifs: Nov. 6, 6 p.m.
Ideas Over Lunch: Nov. 7, 11:45 a.m.
Collage and Quilting Workshop: Nov. 16, 12:30 p.m.
“Mary K. VanGieson: Chasing the Ephemeral”
Prints, sculptures, and installations using alternative materials
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, through Jan. 4
“Master Metalsmith: James Viste | Let Me Tell You A Story”
Vibrant forms exploring humor, memories, and whimsy.
Metal Museum, through Feb. 1
Artist talk: Oct. 18, 4-5 p.m.
“Reflection+Ritual+Refuge”
A solo exhibition by Brantley Ellzey.
Crosstown Arts, Oct. 10-Jan. 25
Opening reception: Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m.
“Too Beautiful to Break”
The second solo exhibition by Congolese artist Doudou Mbemba.
Urevbu Contemporary, opening reception: Oct. 11, 6- 9 p.m.
“L’Estampe originale: A Graphic Treasure”
A celebration of printmaking from the 19th century.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Oct. 12-Jan. 11
Opening lecture: Oct. 12, 2 p.m.
“From Paris to the Prairie: The George H. Booth II Gift to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens”
This intimate exhibition celebrates the recent gift of 11 spectacular prints.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, October 12-January 11
“Fiber Arts”
An interactive exhibit immersing visitors in the world of fiber arts.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, October 12-January 11
“DLG 30”
The gallery celebrates 30 years.
David Lusk Gallery, Oct. 14-Nov. 15
The Bunker: A Septic Love Story
An immersive art experience.
Comeback Coffee, Oct. 17, 6:30-10 p.m.
“Mathew J. Zachariah: Art Installation”
Post-industrial recycled art.
ANF Architects, Oct. 24-Nov. 21
Opening reception: Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m.
“Time Is a Hearer”
Work by Sean Heiser.
Beverly + Sam Ross Gallery, Christian Brothers University, Oct. 24-Dec. 19
Opening reception: Oct. 25, 5-8 p.m.
Memphis Germantown Art League: Star Artists Exhibition
Featuring juried works.
Germantown Performing Arts Center, Oct. 22-Dec. 8
Opening reception: Oct. 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
“Her Star Is on the Rise”
New works by Leanna Carey.
Buckman Art Center’s Levy Gallery, Nov. 7-Dec. 15
Opening reception: Nov. 7, 5-7 p.m.
Wolf River Arts Show
A curated community of artists, collectors, and creatives.
St. George’s Independent School, Nov. 7-8
“Jared Small”
Work by the artist.
David Lusk Gallery, Nov. 18-Dec. 20
“Drupe”
Work by Amelia Briggs.
Sheet Cake Gallery, Nov. 11
On Stage
The 9th Annual FREE Autumn Shout-Out Shakespeare Series: Much Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare’s comedy in 90 minutes.
Various locations & dates, through Oct. 19
Concerts in the Grove
GPAC presents some of the area’s best musicians: The Kaleid with Josh Threlkeld (Oct. 9), Short in the Sleeve (Oct. 16), G3 (Oct. 23), and Magnolias (Oct. 30).
GPAC, select Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
The untold story of an American icon.
Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 7-12
On Stage with Iris Collective: Karen Slack
With songs from Slack’s recent Grammy-winning album.
GPAC, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.
Let It Fall
A powerful program by Collage Dance.
Playhouse on the Square, Oct. 10-12
Macbeth
Joshua L. Peugh’s take on the tragedy.
Ballet Memphis, Oct. 10-19
Laser Live
Featuring live bands with a laser light show: Cameron Bethany (Oct. 11) and Marcella Simien ft. Infinity Stairs (Nov. 8).
Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, select dates, 7 p.m.
Memphis Matters – Stories of Belonging
Unlock healing, transformation, and joy — one story at a time.
TheatreSouth at First Congo, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
T. Graham Brown
This well-seasoned performer’s name has frequently topped the Billboard Hot Country charts.
Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Drowning Girls
Three ghostly brides surface from bathtubs full of water.
TheatreWorks @ The Square, Oct. 17-Nov. 2
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
A nonstop barrage of laughter.
Theatre Memphis, Oct. 17-Nov. 2
Soweto Gospel Choir
Celebrate the spirit of South Africa through music.
Buckman Arts Center, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.
Free community workshop: Oct. 18, 6 p.m.
I Hear America Singing
Opera Memphis’ celebration of American legends with two new commissions.
Crosstown Theater, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Jazz in the Box
Get up close and personal with live jazz: Caity Gyorgy (Oct. 24) and Misha Piatigorsky (Nov. 7).
GPAC, select dates, 7 p.m.
Frankenstein
Adapted to the stage by Nick Dear.
Germantown Community Theatre, Oct. 24-Nov. 2
Not Alone Unhappy
A trio of interwoven short plays by Quark Theatre’s Adam Remsen.
TheatreSouth in First Congo, Oct. 24-Nov. 9
Symphonie Fantastique
With Bates’ Philharmonia fantastique and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m.
The Notebook
A portrait of the enduring power of love.
Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 28-Nov. 2
Memphis Symphony Chorus 60th Anniversary Encore Concert
An evening of timeless choral music.
First Baptist Church, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.
New York’s Central Park Zoo animals end up in Madagascar.
Hattiloo Theatre, Oct. 31-Nov. 9
Vitamin String Quartet
The music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and beyond.
GPAC, Nov. 1, 8 p.m.
Artrageous!
Combining music and dynamic choreography with painting.
BPACC, Nov. 1, 2 p.m.
Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series
A breezy, cocktail-enhanced experience of three of the world’s most enduring comedies.
Anton Chekhov’s The Three Sisters: Nov. 2, 3 p.m.
Moliere’s Tartuffe: Nov. 9, 3 p.m.
Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit: Nov. 16, 3 p.m.
Scotland’s Cantrip
A celebrated Edinburgh ensemble.
Buckman Arts Center, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Iris Fellows & Artists
An eclectic night of music.
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Junie B. Jones the Musical
Based on the popular children’s book.
The Circuit Playhouse, Nov. 7-Dec. 20
The Thanksgiving Play
An attempt to create a politically correct school play about the first Thanksgiving.
Theatre Memphis, Nov. 7-22
Booker T. Jones
A legend among legends.
BPACC, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
A blended “musical gumbo” from this Grammy Award-winning New Orleans-based band.
Halloran Centre, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.
LaZer Divas vs. The Sky Pirates of Destiny
Opera Memphis presents a laser show with historic diva clones and space pirates.
Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.
The Wizard of Oz
Follow the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy and friends.
Playhouse on the Square, Nov. 15-Dec. 22
Memphis Songwriters Series Hosted by Mark Edgar Stuart
Featuring Bailey Bigger, Talibah Safiya, and Lina Beach.
Halloran Centre, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
A Tuna Christmas
A satirical look at small-town life.
Circuit Playhouse, Nov. 21-Dec. 21
Catapult
A shadow-illusion performance.
GPAC, Nov. 22, 8 p.m.
Elisabeth von Trapp: Home for Christmas
Celebrate the holidays and the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music with the granddaughter of Maria von Trapp.
BPACC, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
& Juliet
A flip on the script of the greatest love story ever told.
Orpheum Theatre, Nov. 25-30
If Scrooge Was a Brother
An urban spin on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Hattiloo Theatre, Nov. 28-Dec. 21
Around Town
Memphis Children’s Theatre Festival
A community celebration of family- and youth-focused performances.
Theatre Memphis, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
V&E Greenline Artwalk
Featuring more than 50 artists and craftspeople from across the local area.
V&E Greenline, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Super Blues Sunday
A free celebration of the blues.
Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, Clarksdale, MS, Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hot Off the Wall Art Sale
Purchase works of art by nationally celebrated and emerging artists.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Oct. 14-19
Repair Days
Restore your metal items at the Metal Museum’s largest fundraiser.
Metal Museum, Oct. 16-19
Tambourine Bash
Musical collaborations benefiting Music Export Memphis.
Overton Park Shell, Oct. 16, 7-10 p.m.
Art on Fire
Gather around a bonfire for an evening of tastings, wine and beer, live music, fire dancers, and a vibrant art sale.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Oct. 18, 7-11 p.m.
RiverArtsFest
The largest and longest-running fine arts festival in the Mid-South.
Riverside Drive, Oct. 18-19
Family Fun Day with an Iron Pour
Hands-on activities, demonstrations, and kid-friendly games.
Metal Museum, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
29th Annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show & Sale
Vendors, historic house tours, demonstrations, and more.
Davies Manor HIstoric Site, October 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Chêne Film Festival
A celebration intertwining storytelling, artistry, and conservation.
Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden, Oct. 26
The Queen’s Regency Ball: A 19th Century Soulful Murder Mystery Experience
Don your finest attire for a Regency Era murder mystery.
Halloran Centre, Oct. 25-26
Whet Thursday: Karaoke on the Bluff
A night of unforgettable fun.
Metal Museum, October 30
Día de Los Muertos Parade & Festival
Celebrate the cycle of life and death with art, face painting, and music at this fest presented by the Brooks and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Decorative Arts Trust presents Marian McEvoy Book Signing, Reception, and Talk
An inspiring evening of style, storytelling, and design.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, November 4, 5:30 p.m.
Like Really Creative Junk Journal Jam with Yo Breezye
Vibe out to tunes while junk journaling.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Orpheum Soirée
Support the arts at this Back to the Future-themed night.
Orpheum Theatre, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
Memphis Zine Fest 10
Support local self-published poets, artists, comics, and more.
Haven Haus, Nov. 16, noon-4 p.m.
Harmonia Rosales Book Signing and Conversation
In conversation with curator Patricia Daigle.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, November 19, 6-8 p.m.
Holiday Arts Market
Featuring more than 30 local artists, makers, and small businesses.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, November 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
…
The Future of the Arts
The arts in Memphis are here to stay — that much is certain, as evidenced by all the exhibitions, markets, fairs, plays, musicals, ballets, and operas listed here. With so much to look forward to and appreciate, it’s hard to imagine a reality in which the arts could be under attack.
But now, due to the government shutdown, the future of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding is in limbo as their budgets await congressional approval. President Donald Trump has threatened to eliminate both agencies altogether. Already, we’ve witnessed the abrupt cancellation of millions of dollars in funding for the NEA and NEH, the agencies citing a re-prioritization under the Trump administration to “not preference some groups at the expense of others” — or as Susie Surkamer, former president and CEO of South Arts, sees it: “a de-emphasis on inclusivity.”
South Arts, which funds artists and organizations throughout the region, lost around $5 million in NEA funding. The Blues City Cultural Center lost $25,000 in NEH funding for its Storied Place project to celebrate Orange Mound. University of Memphis’ historian Aram Goudsouzian and professor Josef Hanson lost their NEH and NEA grants, respectively; in progress were a book on the Civil Rights Movement and rise of televised sports, and research on local and regional BIPOC artist-entrepreneurs (Hanson says in an email the he was able to spend his funds before the final accounting deadline after his grant termination).
When Collage Dance Collective learned of the cancellation of its $25,000 NEA grant, executive director Marcellus Harper says, “The short story was that basically the funding priorities had shifted, and our project was not deemed in line with the new criteria. And they probably used a whole lot of other words, too, but that was the gist of it.”
Collage’s intended project was a ballet retelling of the story of Romeo and Juliet. “We wanted to make it more relatable,” Harper says. “We wanted to ground it in some topics that were relevant for our community, so we really wanted to explore colorism, which is something that is a big deal in not just the Black community, but also within ballet itself.”
While Harper and the dance company remain excited for the vision, the show itself, with the loss of funding, is “on the back-burner.” “We’re in a space where we’re very nervous about what the impact is on additional government funding, what that means for private donations,” Harper says. “Being ambitious with the art and taking risks, or being bold in that area, we’ve had to really pull back, for now at least.”
As Harper explains, receiving an NEA grant is “like a badge of honor” from one of the top arts agencies in the country. Losing it feels like losing more than just money.
For young organizations especially, these types of grants are paths to sustainability and legitimacy, a path WYXR has been on for the past five years. For the Memphis-based public radio station, receiving a Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) grant has been a “North Star” over the years, says Jared “Jay B.” Boyd, WYXR’s program manager. This most recent fiscal year, the station finally got one: $85,000, amounting to 10 percent of its budget.
In mid-July, the funding was pulled. “Our immediate reaction was we went into a war room the next day to decide how we could get the word out about what we’ve been going through,” says. “We wanted to convey how serious what had just happened was.”
WYXR won’t shut its doors, but $85,000 is a lot of money. “And it was already built into our budget. It was already promised to us,” Boyd says.
WKNO, Memphis’ PBS member television station since 1956, also lost its CPB grant, totaling 21 percent of its budget. “It was promised two years ago that we would get it. Then this was clawed back, and we’re already in this year,” says Sally Stover, corporate support manager.
Yet Stover adds, “We’re on the lucky side. Twenty-one percent is a substantial part of the budget, but it’s not going to stop us. … There are some smaller rural stations out there that lost maybe 50 or more percent of their budget, and those are the stations that are having some real issues, and they could go away. We’re now trying to reassess and see how we can continue doing what we plan to do and to provide the services, the programs, everything to the community because our community here is wonderful. Community support has always been a large part of our funding.”
Likewise, ARTSmemphis relies on community funding for most of its budget; about 20 percent is from government sources. This most recent fiscal year the nonprofit received a $50,000 Tennessee Arts Commission grant through the NEA to distribute to arts organizations in Memphis. That grant has not been terminated.
Even so, says Elizabeth Rouse, president and CEO of ARTSmemphis, “If the NEA budget is eliminated or changed as of the new federal fiscal year, it could impact ARTSmemphis, and it also could impact a lot of local arts organizations, and that’s why ARTSmemphis is working really hard to secure more dollars from private sources, so that we can grant out more to arts organizations and artists, some of whom have or potentially could experience greater impacts because of government cuts.”
“There’s so many unknowns, and that’s very hard for arts organizations to plan,” Rouse adds. “And the unknowns are about funding that, ultimately, helps create jobs. It’s about funding that helps strengthen communities. It’s about funding that helps kids have access to free and accessible arts programming every day after school. It’s about access for seniors to opportunities in the arts that allow them to have social connections. It’s so much more than just a grant being cut.”
But there’s been a silver lining for many of these organizations. Within two weeks after losing funding, WYXR raised around $25,000. People stepped up for Collage Dance, too. “It reminded me of the power of community,” Harper says. “It reminded me of the beautiful community that we have, and the many people who believe in the work that we do.”
So write and call your elected officials, Rouse encourages, and support the arts — whether that’s by purchasing a painting, attending a play, or just popping by a gallery opening.