Art brings people together

Guest Column, Elizabeth Rouse | Daily Memphian

We live in a world of uncertainty. No matter the situation, crisis, or headline and its consequences, one thing is for certain: art brings people together.

Whether you define art as an escape, a vehicle, a call or response, its power to create beautiful, impactful shared experiences is profound and timeless.

These past few weeks in Memphis have welcomed some of the most exceptional arts experiences in my recent memory. Sold-out traveling shows such as Hamilton at the Orpheum Theatre and Yo-Yo Ma with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Lil Buck at the Cannon Center were phenomenal.

Restaurants beforehand were overbooked. The economic impact of out-of-market talent on tour in Memphis is undeniable.

At the same time, locally produced and equally packed-out performances have blown me away, from Ballet Memphis’ Winter Mix at Playhouse on the Square to a masterful Beauty and the Beast production by Theatre Memphis.

It was confirming to feel the proof from ARTSmemphis’ facilitation of the national Arts & Economic Prosperity study, which concluded $72.2 million in annual event-related spending for just 86 local nonprofit arts organizations.

Meanwhile, arts groups and galleries are busy planning their summer programming, events, and workshops for students in every zip code.

Our ARTSmemphis community arts calendar already houses dozens of opportunities for kids to plug in creatively while they are out of school, and the anecdotal registration reporting I have heard from arts leaders is confirming that desire and demand are growing.

Five years ago, our world shut down. Today, we are selling out venues and filling up summer arts camps.

Let’s keep the momentum going. We are proud to be reaching a milestone of $100 million in ARTSmemphis grants distributed across our Memphis community since our inception — grants that ensure our artists are able to express themselves in good times or bad, challenging or fruitful; and organizations can open their doors and present world-class arts experiences.

That is our mission: to be a reliable supporter and source of arts funding no matter the circumstances. Join us in our mission to support our creative economy — our city’s greatest asset — by continuing to give, to go in-person, and to get inspired by our arts community.