Arts & Culture

Nokomis McElroy stands for a portrait in Orange Mound. (Andrea Morales)

Nokomis McElroy stands for a portrait in Orange Mound. (Andrea Morales) Andrea Morales

From Stax Records to social media, two generations of Black arts leaders support the scene Read Article

While birthed in different eras, The Collective and The Memphis Black Arts Alliance face the similar strifes from combating generational poverty in disinvested communities and having to navigate and engage artists in a city where arts infrastructure is in its infancy.

Youth programming at the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. (MBAA)

Photo: Youth programming at the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. (MBAA)

Brandon Marshall painting a recent temporary mural at the Crosstown strip.

Brandon Marshall painting a recent temporary mural at the Crosstown strip. Averell Mondie

Musical Heights: A neighborhood's forgotten role in the history of one of pop's most famous studios Read Article

In a nondescript store front on National Street, some of the 20th century's biggest music stars once worked. Discover the one-time Heights recording studio that played a major role in garage rock, soul, and heavy metal and laid the groundwork for one of Memphis' most enduring musical ...

Ardent recordings opened in 1966 at the intersection of National and Bayliss, catty corner from the Sweden Kream that still stands today.

Photo: Ardent recordings opened in 1966 at the intersection of National and Bayliss, catty corner from the Sweden Kream that still stands today.

The intersection of art and urban planning makes Memphis 3.0 a multimedia strategy Read Article

Three Memphis-based artists are engaged in the comprehensive Memphis 3.0 planning process. Through art, they engage with residents and bring down to the earth lofty urban planning concepts such as livability, connectivity and sustainability.

Alex Greene, Yancy Villa Calvo, and Neili Jones at the Urban Art Commission offices. (Houston Cofield)

Photo: Alex Greene, Yancy Villa Calvo, and Neili Jones at the Urban Art Commission offices. (Houston Cofield)

Soulsville artists in residence combine creativity with community outreach Read Article

As the home of legendary Stax Records, Soulsville is known as Memphis' music-first neighborhood. As part of a unique artists-in-residency program, a muralist and filmmaker have moved into the neighborhood to encourage creativity among their neighbors.

Kalimah Abioto features a clip from her film “Vulnerable: Street Interviews”

Photo: Kalimah Abioto features a clip from her film “Vulnerable: Street Interviews” Rachel Warren

Opera Memphis awards first McCleave Fellowship to local director Read Article

Dennis Whitehead Darling is the inaugural fellow of the McCleave Project, an initiative of the opera company to bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to the genre.

Dennis Whitehead Darling is the inaugural fellow of the McCleave Project, an initiative of the opera company to bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to the genre.

Photo: Dennis Whitehead Darling is the inaugural fellow of the McCleave Project, an initiative of the opera company to bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to the genre.

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Thumbnail image

Load More Stories

Mural from Second Congregational Church by Reginald Morris displayed outside the church for the first time. (submitted)

Dixon celebrates legacy of Black artists throughout the 20th century

Chris JonesThursday, December 16, 2021

The owners of small business ARCHd, sisters Kristen and Lindsey Archer (submitted)

Women Working It: Kristen and Lindsey Archer on risk, balance, and giving back

Tiffany Thomas-TurnerThursday, November 18, 2021

PRIZM Ensemble executive director Gavin Wigginson (submitted)

PRIZM Ensemble’s new leader helps kids explore social issues through music

Chris JonesThursday, November 11, 2021

Mayor Lee Harris and members of the Shelby County Youth Council at BRIDGES, a member of the new nonprofit committee. (submitted)

Nonprofit Committee hopes to help Shelby County residents access needed services

Jeff HulettThursday, November 4, 2021

Tennessee Steam Fest was founded in 2017 by the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro. (submitted)

Memphis' first STEAMfest aims to inspire students' educational and professional futures

Sarah RushakoffThursday, October 14, 2021

Artist James Harton poses next to his sculpture of an ostrich. (Leigh Tatum)

Unique sculptures encourage library patrons to learn and create

Leigh TatumThursday, October 7, 2021

Father-child artist duo Theo James (L) and Nisa Williams (R) stand in front of the mural they created for the Mid-South Coliseum Coalition, Sept. 13, 2021 (Sarah Rushakoff)

New public art installation adds beauty and history to Mid-South Coliseum revitalization effort

Sarah RushakoffThursday, September 16, 2021

Deb Foehring, a member of the Memphis Botanic Garden Tree Team, closely inspects a tree to ensure it is labeled and mapped correctly. They hope it will soon receive certification as a level one arboretum. (HGN/Sarah Rushakoff)

Start a certified tree garden with these easy steps

Jeff HulettWednesday, August 18, 2021

Construction takes place at the former Wonder Bread factory at 400 Monroe Avenue. (Brandon Dill)

Destination Eats: Take it to The Edge for excellent eats

Cole BradleyThursday, August 12, 2021

901 Day Exposure event returns to in-person celebration, Sept 1

Cole BradleyWednesday, August 11, 2021

Monterrion Webber makes a cup of coffee for a patron of Cxffeeblack at the Anti-Gentrification Coffee Club #1, located at 751 National Street in The Heights. (Ziggy Mack)

Cxffeeblack serves its brew with a side of history and anti-gentrification

Meghan AslinThursday, July 29, 2021

A sign on the windows of Inspire Community Cafe thanks passing customers driving on Sam Cooper Boulevard for their support. (Forever Ready Productions)

Destination Eats: From cafes to fine dining, Binghampton has it all

Cole BradleyThursday, July 15, 2021

A view of Northside High School in Klondike, which closed their doors in 2016. (Andrea Morales)

Public invited to help reimagine Northside High School, virtual meeting on July 14

Cole BradleyWednesday, July 14, 2021

My Cup of Tea is hosting a design contest for a new flavor of custom teas. The organization is seeking design proposals from Black artists who have a connection to Orange Mound. (Submitted)

My Cup of Tea issues call for Black artists with ties to Orange Mound for package design contest

Sarah RushakoffThursday, July 8, 2021

A mural adorns a retaining wall behind Treadwell elementary and middle schools in The Heights. (Ziggy Mack)

UrbanArt Commission sponsors first public art project focused on written storytelling

Cole BradleyThursday, July 8, 2021

Silhouettes line the National Street median. Each one represents a pedestrian who was killed by a vehicle strike in Shelby County in 2020. The installation will be displayed through the month of July. (Submitted)

Memphis pedestrian deaths sit at record high; art installation urges drivers to slow down

Leigh TatumWednesday, July 7, 2021

New vegan festival and Juneteenth Shop Black Festival will hit Fourth Bluff, June 19 and 20

Sarah RushakoffThursday, June 10, 2021

Playback Memphis is hosting a special BIPOC Memphis Matters performance for ensemble actors and audience members who identify as Black, indigenous, and people of color. (Playback Memphis)

Playback Memphis to host virtual theater show for BIPOC audience June 12, honoring Juneteenth

Cole BradleyThursday, June 10, 2021

Jani Radhakrishnan gives a talk at a previous TEDxMemphis event on the topic "From 'What do you do for work?' to 'What’s your story?'" (Submittted)

Speakers wanted for 2021 TEDxMemphis

Sarah RushakoffThursday, June 3, 2021

An employee of La Michoacana ice cream and paleta shop serves up a fruit cup with tajin. (Forever Ready Productions)

High Ground's "Still Serving" series is expanding

Cole BradleyThursday, June 3, 2021

Load More Stories

Memphis is a rich with authentic arts and culture assets. From the thriving music industry with deep roots in every important American genre to arts districts blossoming from Broad Avenue to Soulsville, Memphis' creative talents are not left in the history books. The city is home to a nationally acclaimed professional ballet company, opera and symphony orchestra and new galleries and collectives that are bringing the city's latest generation of artists into greater recognition.

Across Our Network

Local shops spin National Record Store Day
Source: Soapbox
Pickleball serves up fun and fitness for people of all ages and abilities
Source: Route Bay City
Michigan's stretch of the Marquette Greenway moves forward
Source: Rural Innovation Exchange
Less plastic, less worry: Two Fort Wayne refilleries are paving a path for easier sustainable living
Source: Input Fort Wayne

Sponsored By

Copyright © Issue Media Group. All rights reserved.