Arts & Culture

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.

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

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Feature Story

The Collegiate School of Memphis pictured here in 2020, and an ABC grant recipient in 2024.

Expanded grant program is supporting 32 area nonprofits that are building community through art

High Ground TeamFriday, October 18, 2024

Development News

“The funding Ducks Unlimited receives from the Conservation Through Art program benefits wetlands conservation efforts in our own backyard," says Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited.

Biennial event returns this November with opportunity to support local arts and conservation efforts

High Ground TeamFriday, August 30, 2024

Development News

A ribbon-cutting for Memphis' latest Storybook Trail is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Ribbon-cutting planned for new Storybook Trail at Memphis Botanic Garden

High Ground TeamFriday, August 30, 2024

Development News

“Memphis is not just a music city, it’s a generous city, full of great organizations and businesses who not only bring their unique offerings to the area, but also give back to their communities,” says Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO, Soulsville Foundation.

Unique partnership brings together two Memphis businesses in support of Stax Music Academy

High Ground TeamFriday, August 30, 2024

Development News

Stax Music Academy is expanding its workforce development program.

Stax Music Academy offers new-look workforce development program for careers in music, entertainment

High Ground TeamFriday, August 16, 2024

Development News

Hoop Street Screenwriter and Executive Producer Teresa Dickerson and Director Princeton James on set.

‘Memphis is the perfect place to film a movie’: Independent film crew abounds with Memphis talent

High Ground TeamWednesday, July 31, 2024

Development News

"This is my heart right here, Orange Mound, Tennessee. There will never be a place like Orange Mound,” reads a quote from Larry Finch, which will run alongside the sculpture. “Everything in this city starts and ends in Orange Mound."

Sculpture honoring Orange Mound community selected for library and genealogy center

High Ground TeamFriday, July 26, 2024

Development News

“We are committed to keeping the arts alive and flourishing in Shelby County,” says Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.

Metal Museum expansion earns $250K in support from Shelby County

High Ground TeamThursday, July 25, 2024

Feature Story

This week, we hone in on how the plan will be carried out as the community works together to improve the social and economic systems and policies in Memphis.

Completing the plan: How the More for Memphis plan is meant to be iterative and fluid

Jeff HulettFriday, June 28, 2024

In The News

Rychetta Watkins, Memphis Music Initiative's Director of Grantmaking and Partnerships, discusses equity and access to the arts in Memphis neighborhoods and the need for an office in the Arts & Culture sector.

Voices of More for Memphis: Rychetta Watkins of Memphis Music Initiative

Tafui OwusuTuesday, June 4, 2024

Feature Story

For High Ground's 'On The Ground' series, six local community-level journalists help dissect the More for Memphis plan and share the stories of Memphis residents who are working hard for a better tomorrow.

High Ground's newest Community Correspondents explore the More for Memphis plan

Reginald Johnson Sr.Monday, June 3, 2024

Feature Story

Arts and Culture is one of the six 'More for Memphis' anchor collaboratives.

Creative Economics: The investment and profits envisioned by More for Memphis for Arts and Culture

Ashlei WilliamsFriday, March 22, 2024

Feature Story

Women Working It: Ann Perry Wallace is ready for her second act

Jeff HulettWednesday, February 28, 2024

Feature Story

On finding 'ideas that work': How 300 Memphians came together to develop the More for Memphis plan

MJ GalbraithFriday, February 9, 2024

Development News

These 3 Memphis arts organizations were awarded grants from the NEA supporting community projects

High Ground TeamFriday, January 26, 2024

Development News

Cherokee Arms is located at 1508 Madison Ave. in Midtown.

These two historic Memphis sites are nominated for the National Register of Historic Places

High Ground TeamFriday, January 12, 2024

Development News

Pre-orders for the limited edition sneaker are currently open with the shoe itself being ready come March 2024.

Nonprofit shoe design company to launch new sneaker with sales benefiting Stax Music Academy

High Ground TeamFriday, December 29, 2023

Feature Story

PHOTOS: City streets become galleries as Paint Memphis works to make art accessible for all

Reginald JohnsonTuesday, October 24, 2023

Development News

Orpheum Theatre launches new educational initiative to examine historic venue’s segregation-era past

High Ground TeamFriday, September 29, 2023

Development News

Overton Park Conservancy to focus on park’s mental health and wellness benefits with NatureZen Month

High Ground TeamFriday, September 29, 2023

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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.

Arts & Culture

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

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

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

Soulsville artists in residence combine creativity with community outreach Read Article

Opera Memphis awards first McCleave Fellowship to local director Read Article

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