ARTSmemphis awards $1.2M in grants to these 45 local arts organizations

What’s happening: ARTSmemphis has announced the latest recipients of its Operating Support grants, a group of 45 local arts organizations that will share in $1.2 million in unrestricted grants. It marks the beginning of the organization’s 2024 fiscal year and represents a 20 percent increase in Operating Support grants as compared to last year.

What they’re saying: “Our Operating Support grant program is absolutely about capacity building through monetary means, but it’s also about relationships,” says Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO of ARTSmemphis. “We are proud to provide not only funds but also resources to amplify their program attendance and awareness as well as community engagement.”

Click HERE to learn more about the Operating Support grant program, its application process and timeline, and more.

The Big 6-0: ARTSmemphis is the leading arts funder in the Mid-South and, now in its 60th year, has contributed a total of $94 million in arts funding since the organization’s founding in 1963. The organization celebrated its highest annual distribution in 15 years this year, awarding $3.4 million in total to local arts organizations.

[Related: Read “More than money: How ArtsMemphis is transforming art advocacy” on High Ground News.

Why it’s important: “The majority of funds raised this year were unrestricted, allowing us to continue to be flexible in allocating dollars where we believe they’ll make the art more impactful,” says Rouse. “We’re proud to spend our 60th year making that impact feel even more tangible and recognizable across the entire arts ecosystem and greater Memphis community.”

Bonus content: Check out the newly enhanced community arts calendar from ARTSmemphis.