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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Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Who gets paid for our world-renowned sound? Discussion explores equity, economics of Memphis music

Cole BradleyWednesday, June 3, 2020

Rufus Sykes cracks a smile as he holds the door open for a customer at the South Memphis Grocery on West Mallory Avenue. Sykes co-owns the corner store with other family members. (Malik Martin)

Corner Stores: A South Memphis love story

Ivy K. ArnoldWednesday, June 3, 2020

newmem

Virtual event will spotlight Memphis musicians' contributions to culture and economy

Cole BradleyThursday, May 21, 2020

(Volunteer Odyssey)

How can you help in the pandemic? Volunteer Odyssey breaks it down. (Quick Read)

Cole BradleyThursday, May 14, 2020

Brandon Marshall paints a temporary mural funded by UrbanArt Commission. (Averell Mondie)

UrbanArt Commission issues calls for artists, promotes relief for artists in need

Cole BradleyThursday, May 14, 2020

Self-portrait by Sarah Brubaker for MLK50.

Losing her job and business, artist finds hope in a supportive community

Thursday, May 7, 2020

On Location: Memphis's film screenings were previously in-person events. Now they've gone virtual. (On Location: Memphis)

Catch two free virtual screenings of Memphis-made films April 18 and 20

Cole BradleyThursday, April 16, 2020

Carin Malone, who performs as Writeous Soul, is a Memphis slam poetry master working to revive the city's spoken word culture. She won the National Civil Rights Museum's Drop the Mic Poetry Slam in 2017 and now advises on the project. (Writeous Soul)

Artist Writeous Soul and the National Civil Rights Museum want to revive Memphis' slam poetry scene

Brandi HunterThursday, March 19, 2020

UrbanArt Commission and Memphis International Airport have issued a call for artists to contribute to the redesign of Concourse B, which is scheduled to reopen in April 2021. (Andrew Breig)

UrbanArt Commission issues call for artists for Memphis Intl. Airport redesign opening in 2021

Jim ColemanThursday, March 19, 2020

Located at 2499 Chelsea Avenue, the Hattiloo Technical Theatre Center trains youth in North Memphis with behind-the-scenes skills like sets, costume, and props design. The center opened in 20117. (Ashley Davis)

Post-COVID, the show will go on at Hattiloo Theatre's North Memphis youth training center

Ashley DavisThursday, March 19, 2020

Neighbors and friends reflect on the life of longtime Vollintine-Evergreen resident and V&E Greenline leader, Jan Kirby. At the March 7 Arbor Day Celebration, those gathered installed a plaque and planted a tree in Kirby's honor. (Ashley Davis)

V&E Greenline's first Arbor Day celebration planted trees and memories

Ashley DavisWednesday, March 11, 2020

Kickspins is a popup record store that also houses the Memphis Soul clothing line. It launched September 2019 in the Boxlot temporary concept shop and will close at the end of this year along with Boxlot. (Submitted)

Tonya Dyson's Kickspins is a piece of Soulsville in The Edge

Baris GursakalWednesday, March 11, 2020

podcast

Podcast: Arrow Creative talks creative diversity and stepping up for arts education

Monday, March 9, 2020

Guests attend the "Lawrence Matthews: To Disappear Away" exhibit at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens on January 17, 2020. (Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Meka Wilson)

Dixon Gallery and Gardens to host free "Women in the Arts" event March 6-7

Cole BradleyWednesday, March 4, 2020

New Chicago CDC's African American history collection features thousands of examples of African and African American art. (Ziggy Mack)

For Black History Month, visit the Memphis black history museum you didn't know we had.

Erica HortonThursday, February 27, 2020

Arrow Creative is located at 2535 Broad Avenue in Binghampton. (Ziggy Mack)

Arrow Creative is its own "arts district" with plans to fill gaps left by Memphis College of Art

Deborah Gaddy-RobertsonWednesday, February 26, 2020

A banner at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church celebrates the church's 140th anniversary. Mt. Moriah is the oldest church in Orange Mound, which celebrated its centennial year in 2019 and continuing the celebrating in 2020. (Alexandria Moore)

Orange Mound to celebrate its centennial, Black History Month, and the Memphis Heritage Trail

Alexandria MooreWednesday, February 19, 2020

podcast

Podcast: Behind the scenes at TEDx Memphis

Monday, February 17, 2020

The 2020 Trailblazer Award honored Memphis women making a significant contribution to preserving and celebrating the city's cultural heritage. Beautiful award statues were presented to each winner. (Cole Bradley)

Trailblazer Awards honored Memphis women who champion the city's cultural heritage

Cole BradleyThursday, February 13, 2020

Memphis singer-songwriter Grace Askew will kick off the "Women Who Rock" series on February 9 at Wonder / Cowork / Create. (Heath Herring)

Women Working It: Grace Askew sits down with High Ground ahead of "Women Who Rock" speaker series

Cole BradleyWednesday, February 5, 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.

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