ARTSassist grants are unrestricted grants for artists, to support the expansion and innovation of quality artistic work. ARTSmemphis recognizes the risk taking that is necessary to advance an artist’s vision, practice, and artistic accomplishments.

 The ARTSassist Grant Program enables ARTSmemphis to demonstrate the value of artists’ work to our region by supporting working artists in their artistic practice. This program contributes to the vitality of our artistic community and helps Memphis attract and retain a vibrant creative class. Through this program, we honor the work of seasoned artists, advance the work of mid-career artists, and nurture the work of emerging artists.

 In our 2024 fiscal year, 11 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded.  ARTSmemphis strives for proportionate distribution of grant awards to the number of applicants in each discipline, and proportionate distribution based on artists’ career stages.  Other funding will support grants to musicians and filmmakers through partnerships with Indie Memphis and Music Export Memphis.  Grant recipients will receive a Form 1099 to report this taxable income.

2024/2025 Jurors

Dance Jurors:

Anthony Burrell, Assoc. Professor of Dance, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston, MA

Melaneice Gibbs, Coach TSU Sophisticated Ladies & Owner 5th Quarter Auxiliary Training Center Dance Studio, Nashville, TN

Hastings Hill, Senior Manager of Communications, Dance/NYC, New York, NY

Visual Art Jurors:

Karlota Contreras-Koterbay, Director, Slocumb Galleries, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

drék davis, Professor/Head, Department of Art, Grambling State University, Grambling, LA

Tina Fuentes, Professor Emeritus/School of Art director, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Visual Arts

• Brittney Boyd Bullock

• Sarah Elizabeth Cornejo

• Therrious Davis

• Eric Echols

• Richard Echols

• Coe Lapossy

• Jasmine Marie

• Noah Miller

• Lindsay Overbey

• Kate Roberts

• Jennifer Sargent

• Emily C. Thomas

• Ana Yancy Villa

• Kiersten Williams

Dance

• DeAngelo Cheatom

• Kenthia Farmer

• Lauren Huynh

• Alisha Johnson

• Jaylon McCraven

• Summer McNeill

• Dorian Rhea

• Emilia Sandoval

Music (Partnership with Music Export Memphis' Ambassador Access)

• Aybil

• Mohamed "EsMod" Abdo

• Lana J.

Film (Partnership with Indie Memphis' Black Creators Forum)

• Aisha Raison