ARTSmemphis receives grant from Regions Foundation of Tennessee; Grant will support Shelby County arts organizations in 2021
MEMPHIS, TN, December 10, 2020— In conjunction with the inaugural Arts Week, ArtsMemphis today announced a grant from the Regions Foundation of Tennessee to provide financial support to arts organizations in the form of unrestricted grants.
Arts Week, occurring from December 7 – 13, 2020, is a community-wide celebration spotlighting all that our local artists and organizations have created and accomplished throughout this unprecedented year.
For over 20 years, the nonprofit Regions Foundation of Tennessee has sought to improve the quality of life throughout the state by investing in programs and initiatives that make a meaningful impact on others. Charitable contributions focus on four key areas: community development, education, health and human services, and the arts.
“Arts are at the heart and soul of the Memphis community, and it is our honor to support the creativity and passion that define the Memphis arts community,” said Latrisha Jemison, Chief Operating Officer of the Regions Foundation of Tennessee. “Art is not only a celebration of creativity – it is a key component to attracting and retaining talent; creating jobs and opportunities; enhancing youth development; and providing experiences that bridge socio-economic gaps and bring a community together.”
ArtsMemphis will use this contribution to support Shelby County arts organizations in 2021. Grant recipients will be organizations that use their art as a vehicle to teach, uplift, bring together and positively engage Memphians in under-resourced neighborhoods.
ArtsMemphis serves as the primary funder, convener, and connector for the Memphis arts community, and in 2020 has awarded $2.8 million to more than 70 organizations and hundreds of artists. Due to the pandemic, the nonprofit arts sector predicts a $20 million income loss thru December.
“We are grateful to the Regions Foundation of Tennessee for its ongoing commitment to our city, and especially arts and culture during this time. This grant will assist ArtsMemphis as we support the essential work of arts organizations,” said ArtsMemphis President & CEO, Elizabeth Rouse.
ArtsMemphis recently launched a year-end giving campaign to respond to the significant needs of Memphis and Shelby County’s arts community, currently on pause and especially hard-hit due to COVID-19. “Invest in the Arts Today for a Powerful Return in the Future” is a call for contributions to carry the arts community into 2021. The campaign calls upon the investment in an industry that, while impacted by today’s economic, social, political, and health landscape, is a critical driver in our city's economy and will play a huge role as we recover from the impacts of this pandemic.
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ABOUT ARTSMEMPHIS. ArtsMemphis is Memphis and Shelby County’s primary arts funder, generating and infusing over $80 million in financial support for the arts since its inception nearly 60-years ago. With a mission to sustain Memphis’ world-renowned cultural vitality and strengthen local communities through the arts, ArtsMemphis distributes $2.5-$3 million annually to 70+ organizations and also individual artists. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtsMemphis has elevated its role as convener and connector helping the arts sector recover, reimagine, and continue as a critical economic driver to ensure the arts remain a vital component of Mid-South culture and daily life. Learn more at artsmemphis.org.
ABOUT REGIONS FOUNDATION OF TENNESSEE. The Regions Foundation of Tennessee is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity that makes community investments in programs that contribute to and enhance the quality of life in the Volunteer State. The Foundation has a track record of working with community partners, educators, municipalities, and other groups that share in the vision of a more prosperous, equitable future for the people of Tennessee.