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.

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A family picks up activity sheets and grab-and-go craft kits at the North Branch Library. The kids are part of Memphis Public Libraries' strategy for helping kids with learning and literacy from home during the pandemic. (Memphis Library Foundation)

Memphis libraries' expanded programs promise a summer of fun

Sarah RushakoffThursday, May 20, 2021

Virtual "Future of Food" lunch hour event will discuss equity in Memphis restaurant industry

Sarah RushakoffThursday, May 13, 2021

On the greensward at Overton Park, members of the Central High School band take a few extra minutes to practice their parts as the rest of the band wraps up practice behind them. May 2021. (Cole Bradley)

The parks are packed as Memphians look to work and play safely

Chris Jones & Cole BradleyThursday, May 13, 2021

Young musicians with PRIZM Ensemble practice their skills pre-pandemic. Registration is open for their 2021 summer camp, which will be held June 21 through July 9. (Submitted)

PRIZM Ensemble's 2021 summer camps will be held in person and virtual; registration open

Sarah RushakoffWednesday, May 5, 2021

Belinda Kerusch dances with the Hollywood Showliners in the parking lot of the Hollywood Community Center during the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Sarah Rushakoff)

Just keep dancing. My advice after 60 years of moving to the groove.

Belinda KeruschThursday, April 29, 2021

COVID-inspired art by Michael Newman Jr. The Arts Cafe will present "What's Your COVID Story?," a visual and spoken word arts exhibit, on April 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Submitted)

Artists from Riverview-Kansas neighborhood will showcase their pandemic stories, April 24

Sarah RushakoffTuesday, April 20, 2021

Destination Eats: University District is a smart choice for good food

Cole BradleyWednesday, April 14, 2021

April 11 virtual lecture will explore college culture and clashes over Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Sarah RushakoffThursday, April 8, 2021

Architect Mario Walker won first prize in the competition to imagine new uses for the historic Highland Heights United Methodist Church. The contest is part of an effort to save the church from demolition. (Emily Holmes, Heights CDC)

Design contest casts vision for renovation and reuse of historic church at risk for demolition

Leigh TatumTuesday, March 30, 2021

memphis-podcast-guide

These Memphis podcasters and networks are amplifying the city's stories and culture

Sarah RushakoffThursday, March 11, 2021

Black Memphis, Black History: The enduring sounds of Memphis Minnie

Chris JonesThursday, February 25, 2021

Black Memphis, Black History: The sadness and sound of Phineas Newborn, Jr.

Chris JonesWednesday, February 24, 2021

Cornelia Crenshaw speaks at a rally in Forrest City, Arkansas in September of 1961. Roughly 300 people attended. (Photo by James R. Reid)

Black Memphis, Black History: Remembering Cornelia Crenshaw, "mother" of local Civil Rights Movement

Chris JonesFriday, February 19, 2021

Archie "A.W." Willis, Jr. stands at center. Seated are members of the Memphis State Eight. These students were the first to integrate what is now the University of Memphis.

Black Memphis, Black History: The legacy of A.W. Willis

Chris JonesThursday, February 11, 2021

food this one

Destination Eats: Devour the world from The Heights

Cole BradleyThursday, February 4, 2021

The Arts Café is looking for residents of the Memphis' Riverview-Kansas area who enjoy making art or poetry to share how COVID-19 has affected their community. The deadline to apply is January 29.

Arts Café calls for Riverview-Kansas residents to share their pandemic stories through art, poetry

Cole BradleyWednesday, January 20, 2021

Teaching artists with the New Ensemble Ballet and School perform a socially-distanced dance routine. (Submitted)

These dancers are talented, passionate, and staying in Memphis to teach.

Sarah RushakoffThursday, December 24, 2020

Lauren Kennedy in front of the Upstanders mural adjacent to the National Civil Rights Museum. The mural is a product of collaboration between the Urban Arts Commission and Facing History and Ourselves. (J. Dylan Sandifer)

We're so much more than rock and roll and barbecue.

Cole BradleyTuesday, December 15, 2020

Products from Elle's Elixirs will be featured in the BOXLOT holiday market today and tomorrow. (Submitted, Elle's Elixirs)

Shop local, shop safe with these virtual holiday markets

Cole BradleyFriday, December 4, 2020

June 20, 2020. One participant comforts another during a moment of silence at the “Our Now, Our Future” march for Black children at Overton Park. About 200 hundred people showed up in solidarity. (Andrea Morales for MLK50)

Black women carried us through 2020; it’s time to say thanks

Friday, November 27, 2020

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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

The 906 Adventure Team program teaches life skills with mountain bikes and more
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How 42 Memphis restaurants came together to help raise funds for Meals on Wheels
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Griskie Farms continuing the small farm legacy in challenging times
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Meet Cory Krueckeberg, the Fort Wayne-born filmmaker behind the feature film ‘Glitter & Doom’
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