Empowering Local Artists Through ARTSassist

One of the most significant developments in this announcement is the ARTSassist program. After a hiatus, this initiative has returned stronger than ever, expanding its reach to support not just visual artists but also those in dance, music, and film. ARTSassist is the only unrestricted grant program of its kind in Shelby County, providing crucial financial support to individual artists at various stages of their careers.

This year, ARTSassist awarded $130,000 to 26 deserving artists, each selected through a rigorous juried process by an esteemed panel of out-of-market jurors. These jurors, including renowned figures like Boston Conservatory’s Anthony Burrell and Nashville-based Melaneice Gibbs, brought their expertise and diverse perspectives to ensure that the most innovative and community-focused artists were recognized.

The impact of these grants extends far beyond the individual recipients. As Louisiana-based artist and ARTSassist juror Rodrecas Davis noted, “The breadth and depth of artwork presented, from emerging to experienced, was refreshing and encouraging — as were the number of artists who figured ‘the community’ as part of their creative practice.” This emphasis on community-driven art underscores the essential role that Memphis’ creative minds play in enriching our collective cultural landscape.

Strengthening the Backbone of Memphis Arts Organizations

In addition to supporting individual artists, ARTSmemphis has also reaffirmed its commitment to local arts organizations through its Operating Support grant program. This year, $1.2 million was distributed among 47 organizations, providing them with the unrestricted funds they need to continue their vital work.

What’s particularly noteworthy is ARTSmemphis’ dedication to equity and diversity in its funding approach. Of the 47 organizations receiving grants, 36% are led by people of color, and more than half of the 2 million participants served by these organizations are people of color. This intentional focus on inclusivity ensures that the vibrant diversity of our city is reflected and celebrated in the arts.

A Call to Support Memphis’ Artistic Future

The funding provided by ARTSmemphis is made possible by the generosity of its annual contributors. As government recovery funds dwindle, the role of private donations becomes increasingly critical in sustaining Memphis’ arts ecosystem. Every dollar donated to ARTSmemphis is an investment in the future of our city’s creativity and cultural richness.

Memphians, now is the time to rally behind our artists and arts organizations. Whether you attend an exhibit, support a local performance, or contribute directly to ARTSmemphis, your involvement makes a difference. Let’s continue to nurture the creative spirit that makes Memphis a city unlike any other.

For more information on ARTSassist grant recipients and the Operating Support grant program, visit ARTSmemphis’ website. Together, we can ensure that Memphis remains a city where the arts not only survive but thrive.

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In the spirit of uplifting our arts community, Shelby County Government unveiled their “Art For All” campaign–a celebration of how art and culture unites all citizens to imagine, create and collaborate. Spearheaded by the Shelby County Arts & Culture Nonprofit subcommittee, “Art For All” features three free and open to the public tentpole events throughout the spring.

“Art challenges our thinking, creates new connections, and inspires us to explore,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. “Shelby County has always been a beacon for arts and culture and it’s important everyone has access to this world. We encourage all our neighbors to discover the tremendous artistry and talent that abounds in our community throughout the spring, summer, and beyond.”

Here are the events to keep on your radar!

Caza de Arte (Art Hunt)

Saturday, April 22 from 11 am to 3 pm
Arkwings in Frayser, 2034 James Rd., Memphis, TN

Arkwings will host Caza de Arte (Art Hunt) Latino Art Exhibit and Multi-Cultural Festival! This event is  a Latino art exhibit and multi-cultural festival featuring an artist market, art exhibits by local Latino artists, art making stations, bilingual learning space, food trucks, live metal-smithing with the Mobile Memphis Metal Museum (M4), and an art hunt with hundreds of mini-art pieces scattered throughout The Art Yard for attendees to discover and take home.

Plus, live performances by Caza Teatro, New Ballet Ensemble, Opera Memphis, and others. The event is free and open to the public.

Click here to add the event to your Facebook calendar!

Stax Museum Family Day

Saturday, May 13 from 1 pm to 4 pm
Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN

Celebrating Stax’s 20th Anniversary, the event includes free admission to Stax Museum and exhibits, live performances, food trucks, face painting, balloon art, caricatures, and a Mother’s Day crafts art-making station. Celebrating Stax’s 20th Anniversary, the event includes free admission to Stax Museum and exhibits, live performances, food trucks, face painting, balloon art, caricatures, and a Mother’s Day crafts art-making station from contributing organizations like Memphis Music Initiative, Playhouse on the Square, and Creative Aging.

The event is free and open to the public.

Art For All Festival at the Museum of Science & History

Sunday, June 25 from 11 am to 3 pm
Museum of Science & History (MoSH), formerly the Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN

Dozens of arts & culture organizations come together to showcase performances and artmaking from across Shelby County through live performances, artist markets, food trucks and more. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the newly established 901ArtForAll.com featuring the latest on the campaign including event details, stories on art, culture and artists, a detailed map featuring art organizations across Shelby County, and more.

You might also be interested in: Explore Memphis

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Elegance Bratton’s THE INSPECTION

This year’s Centerpiece Presentation is fresh from its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and stars favorites like Gabrielle Union. One actor to keep your eyes on? Jeremy Pope. This film is his breakout performance as a Black, gay marine who has been cast out by his mother.

“We are honored to screen Indie Memphis alumnus Elegance Bratton’s unbelievably sensitive, assured film THE INSPECTION as our Centerpiece film. There is something almost classical about the film, reminding me of MOONLIGHT, BEAU TRAVAIL, and even more so of Hollywood classic melodramas.” – Indie Memphis

Even More Films!

The amazing films don’t stop there, there’s also Indie Memphis Black Creators Forum guest Alice Diop’s debut narrative film SAINT OMER, Serge Bozon’s offbeat romantic musical DON JUAN starring Tahar Rahim and Virginie Efira, which screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, as well as acclaimed filmmaker Stephen Frears’ THE LOST KING, starring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan.

A Host of Documentaries

Don’t worry, documentary fanatics. There’s also films for you! Check out  THE ART OF EATING: THE LIFE AND APPETITES OF M. F. K. FISHER, which chronicles the life of renowned food writer M. F. K. Fisher, and Sacha Jenkins’ LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK & BLUES. Both films continue the strong tradition of films about music and food at the Memphis festival.

There is also the addition of a beautiful restoration print of Billy Wilder’s GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, introduced by HAPPY HOUR author Marlowe Granados, in the Revivals section.

Connecting with the Community

The festival isn’t just about the amazing lineup of films, there are also ways to get connected with the local film community and beyond. From the Black Creators Forum, Shoot and Splice, IndieTalks panels and more, there are plenty of programs to check out. Want more info? Click here!

For more information on tickets, showings, and more, visit http://indiememphis.com/.

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The post 25 Years of Indie Memphis! – Indie Memphis Film Festival 2022 appeared first on We Are Memphis.

One of the latest works to appear? A series of murals on the Mid-South Coliseum created by father-daughter duo Nisa Williams and Theo James. Originally opened in 1963, many Memphians will remember the space as a venue that held many iconic concerts, sporting events, and so much more. After its closure in 2006, The Coliseum Coalition has worked to see that the Coliseum is revitalized and can, once again, be a great asset to our community. 

And the six murals are an excellent start! The Coliseum Coalition, which has long advocated for the building’s renovations, raised $5,000 for the project and commissioned Nisa and Theo to create the artwork. Theo, a North Memphis artist who specializes in airbrushing and other graphic work, and Nisa, the project’s lead artist and student at Crosstown High, have created such a beautiful piece for the space. 

The murals highlight some of our city’s most influential and inspiring artists, musicians, and civic leaders. Iconic musician Otis Redding represents “culture,” a graduate represents “community,” legendary University of Memphis player and coach Larry Finch represents “talent,” Unapologetic’s logo and members represent “passion,” children and a globe represent “imagination,” and Constance Baker Motley fittingly represents justice. 

We caught up with Nisa to learn more about the project and how she and her dad feel about contributing to such an impactful work of art!

Memphis is so fortunate to have a thriving arts community! How does it feel to be a part of something so impactful for the city? 

“It’s an honor to feel like we’ve made a contribution to Memphis’ art community. We’re consumers of art that provokes thought and has meaning, so it’s wonderful to pass that feeling on to others!”

What do you hope Memphians experience when viewing your work? 

“We hope that they are reminded of iconic appearances and events that happened within the city and the coliseum. Lots of months were spent curating elements that would be recognizable to those who saw the coliseum in its prime, and we hope to get the message across that the people displayed made an impact on members of our community.”

The coliseum is such a Memphis landmark! How does it feel to have your work be a part of its revitalization story?

“We’re honored! The ability to do something so substantial in such an organic way is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We hope the murals bring more attention to the coliseum’s revitalization, and we’re glad to be a part of it.”

Excited to see the murals for yourself? Next time you’re headed to a Tiger football game, be sure to check them out!

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The post Art at The Coliseum: Mural Series by Nisa Williams and Theo James appeared first on We Are Memphis.

From the earliest days of cinema, music has enjoyed a close symbiotic relationship with the filmic arts, and it’s no surprise to find that many (if not most) musicians are also film buffs, their favorite movies a necessary companion to the usual piles of dusty LPs and frayed paperback classics. In a city such as ours, where so many fortunes have been tied to several genres of popular song for over a century, any independent film festival is all but mandated to seek out innovative ways of uniting the two creative forms, so it’s a blessing that the Bluff City’s own independent film fest, Indie Memphis, has offered reliably compelling independent cinema every year since 1998.

As the festival’s Music Coordinator, John Miller is tasked with the oversight of such cross-media connections. It’s a position that makes perfect horse sense, as few Memphis are connected to the city’s scene(s) as profoundly as Miller, who co-owns the beloved Shangri-La Records and sits on the board of Music Export Memphis. John was kind enough to take time out of hectic preparations for this year’s fest to answer our a few of our burning questions about the musical/film collaborations in store for 2021, and also to offer a glimpse of where Indie Memphis might take such a fusion in future years.

Hi, John, thanks for taking the time to speak with us about your role with Indie Memphis. First off, how long have you been working with the festival, and how did you come by the position of Music Coordinator?

Hey Zach, thanks for reaching out. I always love talking about Indie Memphis! I’ve been working with the festival for a decade now, which has flown by. I first began working on a project for Indie Memphis in my role with an old music development nonprofit called the Memphis Music Foundation. A colleague of mine there, Pat Mitchell, sat on the board of Indie Memphis and knew how much I was interested in the intersection of music and film, so she introduced me and we began working to weave local music into the fabric of the festival.

Indie Memphis started on quite a small scale in the late 90s and has grown considerably in the years since. Over that time, how do you feel the festival has worked to deepen its relationship with the Memphis music scene?

I have always been impressed with the way the festival focused on local and regional storytellers, and diving deeper into that same relationship with local music creators has felt like a natural process through the years, no matter who is helming Indie Memphis. Indie Memphis launched a special screening competition for music videos, with a local only showcase slot, highlighting both the artist and visual creators of those videos. That kind of synergy extends to bringing music documentaries to town that might not otherwise be seen, and when possible, featuring live concert performances by the featured artist(s). We’ve also continued to strive to reach out to new and diverse musicians each year, whose music reflects the vibe of each film shown throughout the festival. That is something I know that out of town festival attendees always point to as a perfect gateway for them to discover more about Memphis and its many divergent
music scenes.

To you, what’s crucial about maintaining a Memphis music presence within the festival? And how might the average festival-goer benefit from such cross-pollination?

Ours is unlike any other film festival I’m aware of because its identity so closely reflects the place in which it takes place. Inarguably, music is a cultural pillar of our city and has been for over a century. Indie Memphis has always recognized the value of our artists (visual and musical) in telling our story, so presenting that as one of the first things anyone experiences when they attend says a lot about the priority we give to joining music and film. Discovering a new film and a new artist simultaneously is a joy that we hear many of the attendees, journalists, and staff talk about every year.

So what are you especially excited about this year? What’s something you’ve had a hand in that you’re excited to share with festival-goers, something no one should miss?

It’s always hard to narrow that down because the festival has music docs, horror films, moving dramatic and social justice stories, and on and on. I will say that over the last few years the festival has had a number of films telling particular stories centered around a variety of African experiences, with particularly fascinating musical elements in each. This year there is a film showing on Sunday, October 24, called “Elder’s Corner” that tells the story of many of the pioneering Nigerian musicians who created Juju and Afrobeat. It’s a great film and the Obruni Dance Band will be performing beforehand, so I think it’s a particularly great marriage of film and music.

This year, of course, presents a particularly unique challenge to those assembling large gatherings like arts festivals. How has the ongoing pandemic affected the usual Indie Memphis dynamic? What are some of the precautions the festival is taking to ensure the safety of patrons?

Knowing that the only way to present the festival would be to prioritize the safety of attendees and staff guided a lot of the early decisions. The free public block party, among the musical highlights of the festival, had to be canceled, as did the filmmaker lounges where so many people would get to make meaningful connections throughout the festival. All attendees are required to show vaccine cards and masks are required for all indoor screenings (though not for the films showing at the Drive In on Summer).

Speaking personally, would you care to elaborate at all on your personal relationship to music’s involvement with film? Any favorite recollections tied to the intermingling of the two mediums?

I recall the first time I saw “Yellow Submarine” as a kid and realized that artists could devise expanded representations around ideas that weren’t fully realized by the music alone. Each could potentially stand on its own, but it was all about the synergy. That
sort of set the tone for me in terms of valuing the creative multiplication that happens when you combine such dynamic art forms into a singular vision.

Memphis music is nothing if not unique, with specific cultural attitudes and touchstones that distinguish it from other music scenes. Do you find that this is also true of Memphis filmmaking? Do the two forms feed off that same inherent Memphis energy?

There’s a certain “devil-may-care” attitude that I adore about Memphis creatives of all types. It’s not that they don’t care about the result, it’s that there are no rules to the process. That’s a commonality that I would say absolutely runs through both artistic communities.

Are there specific ways that Memphis musicians might benefit from becoming more involved with independent film, both locally and in general?

Absolutely! Obviously, with physical sales currently placing somewhat distantly behind downloads and streams in the overall compensation structure, it’s imperative to find other ways to monetize music for artists. Licensing remains a strong option for potentially both initial and back end payments, and working to that end can be both financially and creatively advantageous for musicians interested in working with filmmakers.

Beyond music’s relationship with the festival, do you see other signs of Indie Memphis expanding to collaborate with more forms of Memphian art, such as visual art?

I’m very excited about the directions that the festival continues to explore. This year they have welcomed a new executive director in Knox Shelton, who used to lead Literacy Mid-South. Knox understands the value of storytelling in a very broad sense and wants to see growth for Indie Memphis on a number of levels. I can’t wait to see what he and Miriam Bale, the Artistic Director, have in store for the future!

Lastly, how do you think the festival organizers might be seeking to build on what Indie Memphis can offer in the future, especially in terms of its ties to local music?

I mentioned the intersection of music and film earlier, both as a creative and financial boost for musicians, and I hope those links can be expanded and deepened in the future. I think continuing to foster relationships before, during, and following the festival remains a priority, and I look forward to working to that end more extensively when health and safety restrictions allow for a more robust and physically connected experience during the festival and beyond.

Thanks again for speaking with us, John!

You may also be interested in: LaShonté Anderson: Artist Profile 

The post Music at the Movies: A Conversation with John Miller of IndieMemphis appeared first on We Are Memphis.