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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On March 2, all eight Memphis-area mosques are participating in the 17th annual community open house. (Submitted)

Memphis mosques gear up for four weeks of "Muslims in Memphis" festivities

Brandi HunterWednesday, February 27, 2019

On The Ground Podcast: How public art is engaging Memphians around sustainability

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

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Former Binghampton warehouse now home to thriving indoor skatepark

Cole BradleyWednesday, February 20, 2019

En una escena de la actuación, los miembros del elenco dan una representación artística de los vecinos que se unen para oponerse a un relleno de tierra propuesto. De izquierda a derecha: Michel Angel, Jazmin Bautista, Kierra Turner y Casey Greer.

La obra sobre The Heights enfrenta los estereotipos de los vecindarios

Scarlet PonderWednesday, February 20, 2019

In a scene from the performance, cast members give an artistic re-enactment of neighbors joining together to oppose a proposed neighborhood landfill. From left to right: Michel Angel, Jazmin Bautista, Kierra Turner and Casey Greer. (Scarlet Ponder)

One-act play about The Heights casts residents, confronts neighborhood stereotypes

Scarlet PonderWednesday, February 13, 2019

Flash lines the wall at Trilogy Tattoo and Piercing located at 530 South Highland Street in the University District. (Cole Bradley)

21 and counting: Trilogy reflects on two decades on the Highland Strip

Cole BradleyWednesday, February 6, 2019

The staff served pizza, wings, fried chicken, chips and soda sponsored by the Friends of the Whitehaven Library and donated by three Whitehaven restaurants. (Cole Bradley)

Whitehaven Library transforms for community Super Bowl party

Cole BradleyMonday, February 4, 2019

Residents and other stakeholders hear the results of the three-day design charrette to reimagine Whitehaven Plaza. In the foreground, the model of Whitehaven Plaza shows existing structures in gray alongside new buildings, greenspaces and amenities s

Whitehaven Plaza is first look at Memphis 3.0 in action

Cole BradleyWednesday, January 30, 2019

Mike Blumenthal

4th annual TEDx Memphis conference lineup features unlikely paths to success

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, January 30, 2019

Podcast: The Black arts scene comes home with James Dukes and Lawrence Matthews

Friday, January 25, 2019

More than 50 middle and high school students engaged with local music industry experts and learned about everything from production to publicity to how vinyl records are made at a January 18 event held at Stax Music Academy. (Submitted)

Music professionals prep STAX Academy students for industry careers

Aisling MakiThursday, January 24, 2019

Artist Brantley Ellzey in workspace, as part of "Memphis Studios: A Visual Tour." (Murray Riss)

Making space: New book is a visual tour of the workspaces of Memphis' top artists

Mark JordanWednesday, January 16, 2019

Fabrics with vibrant patterns for sale at African Kingdom at Park Avenue and Getwell Road. (Submitted)

African Kingdom brings West African style to University District

Brandi HunterMonday, January 14, 2019

Guests discuss a set of photographs at The CMPLX grand opening. (Shelda Edwards)

The CMPLX opens to packed house in Orange Mound

Cole BradleySaturday, January 12, 2019

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In photos: Welcome to the University District

Cole Bradley and Ziggy MackWednesday, January 9, 2019

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Coffee and community journalism: On the Ground in the University District

Cole BradleyWednesday, January 9, 2019

Playback Memphis ensemble members act out a student’s day at Dexter Elementary. (Cole Bradley)

Playback Memphis partners with Le Bonheur and SCS to reduce bullying and teen pregnancy

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 26, 2018

Artist Khara Woods (Submitted)

Art installations in Frayser, Orange Mound & Uptown to be designed by community members

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, December 19, 2018

Lisa and Luis Toro pose outside of their newest purchase, 509 North Hollywood, which will soon be a unique indoor-outdoor bar. (Cole Bradley)

Broad Avenue power couple expand reach with new bar venture

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 19, 2018

Los estudiantes hablan y comen una merienda del mediodía. (Cole Bradley)

El Club de Niños y Niñas de Heights gana reconocimiento nacional y entrena a músicos de Memphis

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 12, 2018

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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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