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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Summer Avenue, cerca de National Street, ha sido un importante rincón para el comercio desde fines del siglo XIX. (Andrew Breig)

Summer Avenue se renueva como distrito internacional

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 12, 2018

Many students of the Carpenter Art Garden have been participating in its programs since they were in preschool. They consider themselves "members." (Kirstin Cheers)

Henry Nelson, new director of Carpenter Art Garden, broadcasts creativity across Binghampton

Kirstin CheersWednesday, December 12, 2018

The vacant barber shop at 769 National Street was topped with a sign made from repurposed Christmas lights and the boards that once shuttered the windows. (Markus Mueller)

Vacant barbershop reopens as space for art and community

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 5, 2018

Children pick out a book at Desayuno Con Libros held monthly at Gaisman Community Center. (Desayuno Con Libros)

Desayuno Con Libros connects Latino families over books and breakfast

Jonathan RosalesFriday, November 30, 2018

Los niños buscan libros en Desayuno Con Libros en el Centro Comunitario de Gaisman. (Desayuno Con Libros)

Desayuno Con Libros conecta a las familias latinas con libros y desayunos

Jonathan RosalesFriday, November 30, 2018

Melrose Football

High Ground News video team receives two Emmy nominations

Forever ReadyWednesday, November 21, 2018

For 15 years Ric Morgan has helped serve a free community meal at Highland Heights United Methodist Church for an average of 75 guests. Once a month, he plans and prepares an original menu. (Cole Bradley)

A fascinating life, starting in The Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 21, 2018

Dwayne "DJ" Johnson's assistant welds security bars for a client at Johnson's shop at 2992 Summer Avenue (Ziggy Mack)

Last of the craft: The twilight of Summer Avenue's artisan culture

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 14, 2018

Crystal Bergman is the operations manager for Memphis-based Madison Line Records. (Submitted)

Crystal Bergman takes lead at Madison Line Records, takes on gender bias in music industry

Brandi HunterTuesday, November 13, 2018

With the Memphis College of Art closing in 2020, the future of its main building, Rust Hall, is up in the air.

Local arts organizers make a bid to take over Memphis College of Art's Rust Hall

Kim and Jim ColemanMonday, November 12, 2018

A customer looks around the store as he speaks with the owner of the Summer Outlet thrift store. (Natalie Eddings)

In photos: Memphis gets thrifty on Summer Avenue

Natalie Eddings & Cole BradleyWednesday, November 7, 2018

Photo show flyyer

Join the On The Ground team for "Great Heights: National Street & Beyond in Photographs"

Madeline FaberWednesday, November 7, 2018

The Young Actors Guild performs "Rolling on the River" at Club Paradise in August 2017. (Andrea Morales)

Offstage, Young Actors Guild provides youth development for Memphis students

Jeremiah GrahamWednesday, October 24, 2018

A first-grade student peeks around the corner at a pop-up performance held at Treadwell Elementary School as his classmates line up behind him. (Renier Otto)

In photos: The Heights celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Renier Otto and Cole BradleyMonday, October 15, 2018

A first-grade student peeks around the corner at a pop-up performance held at Treadwell Elementary School as his classmates line up behind him. (Renier Otto)

De fotos: The Heights celebra la herencia hispana mes

Cole BradleyMonday, October 15, 2018

Muddy's Bake Shop founder Kat Gordon speaks to the Rising Tide Society at a February 2018 meeting, held at Memphis College of Art. (Kristen Archer)

Memphis College of Art is closing to students, opening its classes to creative entrepreneurs

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, October 10, 2018

Ardent recordings opened in 1966 at the intersection of National and Bayliss, catty corner from the Sweden Kream that still stands today.

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

Mark JordanTuesday, October 2, 2018

(Left to right) Ladarius Shields, Richy Phan, Ceric Hicks, Hayden Williams, London Johnson (held), Robin Tate, Alice Shields, and Lonel Shields (front) pose for a portrait at Treadwell Middle School. (Ziggy Mack)

In photos: Welcome to The Heights (en Español)

Cole Bradley and Ziggy MackThursday, September 20, 2018

Yasmeen Odeh learns the ropes during a radio workshop led by engineer Jerald White at WMDA 93.5. (Memphis Dawah)

Muslim radio station and cultural center foster community in Whitehaven

Aisling MakiWednesday, September 19, 2018

Heights Ride 1

Video: The Heights rides to improve public space (en Español)

Forever ReadyWednesday, September 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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