ARTSmemphis Celebrates $94 Million Distributed over 60 Years, Announces $1.2M in Operating Support Grants to 45 Local Arts Organizations
MEMPHIS—ARTSmemphis, the Mid-South’s primary arts funder, has announced the distribution of $3.4 million—its highest annual distribution in 15 years—to local arts organizations and artists. This allocation brings ARTSmemphis’ total to $94 million in funding since its inception 60 years ago.
“The majority of funds raised this year were unrestricted, allowing us to continue to be flexible in allocating dollars where we believe they’ll make the art more impactful,” said Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO of ARTSmemphis. “We’re proud to spend our 60th year making that impact feel even more tangible and recognizable across the entire arts ecosystem and greater Memphis community.”
ARTSmemphis’ 279 total grants in the 2023 fiscal year reflect new or enhanced corporate designated giving programs with First Horizon, FedEx, and AutoZone; $700K in recovery funding to both individual artists and arts organizations; significant investments in Enhancement Grants such as the Brooks Museum capital campaign, Tone, and Shell on Wheels; and a 10% increase in Operating Support grants.
This month, to kick off the 2024 fiscal year, ARTSmemphis has distributed $1.2 million in Operating Support grants to 45 local arts organizations, reflecting a 20% increase in Operating Support over the year prior.
34 volunteer review panelists contributed a collective 292 hours in the process through site visits, analysis, and guiding equitable decision-making for each grantee allocation.
Of the 45 organizations, 31% of Operating Support grantees are BIPOC-led and serve a majority of participants who are people of color. Additionally, data shows that 18 grantee organizations operate annual budgets of over $1 million, while 21 organizations operate annual budgets of $500,000 or less. Operating Support artistic discipline breakdown is as follows:
37% music
17% visual arts
15% dance
15% theater
13% performing arts
2% media arts
1% other
“Our Operating Support grant program is absolutely about capacity building through monetary means, but it’s also about relationships,” continued Rouse. “We are proud to provide not only funds but also resources to amplify their program attendance and awareness as well as community engagement.”
ARTSmemphis grantee organizations reported a collective 2.1 million arts experiences annually in 2023. As a result, ARTSmemphis has introduced an enhanced community arts calendar to house grantee events, workshops, and other arts experiences for the public to utilize and filter based on geography, artistic discipline, venue, date, and more.
For more information, visit artsmemphis.org.
ABOUT ARTSmemphis. ARTSmemphis, a 501(c)3, is the Mid-South’s primary arts funder, working behind the scenes to expand the foundation of Memphis’ arts through diligent and diverse support. The granting organization has distributed over $94 million since 1963 to local artists and arts organizations and further provides financial guidance, organizational advice, marketing support, and networking opportunities and connections. For more information, visit artsmemphis.org.
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