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.

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Feature Story

Video: The blues return to Club Paradise

Lauren Squires-ReadyWednesday, June 7, 2017

Feature Story

Eszter Sziksz (L) and Stephanie Cosby (R) work on "Skywalker", an art installation in Barboro Alley.

Between the Lines I: The history of Downtown's alley system

Devin GreaneyMonday, June 5, 2017

Feature Story

The Central High School concert singers perform at the commemoration ceremony. In 1917, many students from Central High School missed school to attend the lynching of Ell Persons, adding to the festival-like atmosphere of the horrific event. Students

The lynching of Ell Persons finds a lasting imprint on the Memphis NAACP chapter

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, May 24, 2017

Feature Story

Larger than the Lorraine: Local Black history museums you haven't heard of

Erica HortonWednesday, May 17, 2017

Innovation & Job News

Amelia Thompson is the new development associate for Ballet Memphis.

Amelia Thompson comes home to Memphis arts scene with new role at Ballet Memphis

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, May 10, 2017

Development News

Independent bookstore to replace Booksellers at Laurelwood

Michael WaddellWednesday, May 10, 2017

Feature Story

Tonya Dyson works with interns at the Memphis Slim House.

Memphis Music Initiative pivots its approach to meet more local youth

Kirstin CheersWednesday, May 10, 2017

Feature Story

Danyale Woods, founder and owner of Fairy Blossom Scents: “Memphis-grown and Soul-sewn, I take great care in creating artisan aromatherapy, hair therapy and skin therapy for a growing niche in Memphis, looking for a customized experience tailored to

Mother's wisdom and social media marketing propel aromatherapy business

Kim and Jim ColemanTuesday, May 9, 2017

Feature Story

Participants of Memphis Fashion Week attend a runway show at Memphis College of Art.

Memphis fashion design scene encourages collaboration, youth participation

Wesley Morgan ParahamWednesday, April 26, 2017

Feature Story

Cuts to the NEA would starve Memphis' minority-serving arts organizations

Kirstin CheersWednesday, April 19, 2017

Innovation & Job News

Local hip hop artist Marco Pavé performs at Midtown Opera Festival, flanked by backup dancers, DJs and instrumentalists

Midtown Opera Festival pushes boundaries

J. Dylan SandiferWednesday, April 12, 2017

Feature Story

Entrepreneurs with disabilities find their own path to success

Lance WiedowerWednesday, March 29, 2017

Feature Story

Painter Larry Walker in the Kate Sexton Community Center where he creates art.

Painter Larry Walker carries his North Memphis roots to the Memphis Hall of Mayors

Lance WiedowerWednesday, March 29, 2017

Development News

Butterfly sculptures flood Carnes garden and blighted neighborhood

Michael WaddellMonday, March 27, 2017

Development News

A March 9 gathering to introduce the Edge district's latest art installation.

Art installation highlights newly enhanced Edge intersection

Michael WaddellWednesday, March 15, 2017

Innovation & Job News

An I Am A Man inspired work at the UAC's 20th anniversary celebration.

City's largest investment in public art honors 1968 sanitation workers' strike

J. Dylan SandiferWednesday, March 15, 2017

Feature Story

A piece from Joey Miller's "The 5 Fifth" exhibition at Memphis Slim House.

Art galleries in unexpected spaces portray fresh perspectives of Memphis

Lesley YoungWednesday, March 15, 2017

Feature Story

Aretha Franklin's birth home at 406 Lucy Avenue.

TV network could save Aretha Franklin's crumbling Memphis home

Louis GoggansTuesday, March 14, 2017

Special Report

Mapping the decline and revival of Soulsville USA

Lance WiedowerWednesday, March 8, 2017

Feature Story

Tootsie Bell's silversmith work is a rarity in Memphis

Lance WiedowerWednesday, March 8, 2017

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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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