First Horizon Surpasses $5.8 million in Local Arts Investment Through ARTSmemphis
Foundation announces its thirteenth year of ArtsFirst investments, totaling $400,000 this fiscal year to 26 local arts organizations.
MEMPHIS—Today, First Horizon Foundation has announced its 2024 grant recipients of its ArtsFirst Grant initiative, a program in partnership with ARTSmemphis to promote excellence and enrichment in the arts in Memphis.
Established in 2012, ArtsFirst grants serve as a core vehicle for First Horizon Foundation’s Arts & Culture pillar, having contributed over $5.8 million to date to the Memphis arts community.
“We are proud to remain a longtime local arts contributor and are grateful to leverage ARTSmemphis’ grantmaking expertise to ensure meaningful impact on both our artists and city at large,” said Bo Allen, Regional President of First Horizon. “As we celebrate our 160th anniversary in Memphis, we applaud and celebrate the diversity, depth, and longevity of the local arts community.”
“The continued growth of the arts across our community would not be possible without corporate generosity, and First Horizon Foundation’s steadfast support of ARTSmemphis and local arts organizations have been transformative,” said Elizabeth Rouse, President and CEO of ARTSmemphis.
This year’s ArtsFirst grant recipients and accompanying programs were selected by a grant panel composed of First Horizon Foundation representatives. First Horizon is funding a variety of programs and initiatives, including the Brooks’ and Metal Museum’s capital campaigns, first-time grants to Young Actors Guild and Contemporary Arts Memphis, and continued contributions due to grantees’ compounding success via ArtsFirst dollars.
2024 ArtsFirst Grants:
Arrow Creative
Ballet Memphis
Carpenter Art Garden
Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group
Circuit Playhouse. Inc.
Collage Dance Collective
Contemporary Arts Memphis
Creative Aging
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
GPAC
Hattiloo Theatre
Indie Memphis
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Memphis Jazz Workshop
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Metal Museum
Music Export Memphis
New Ballet Ensemble and School
Opera Memphis
Orpheum Theatre Group
Overton Park Shell
Soulsville Foundation
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
Theatre Memphis
UrbanArt Commission
Young Actors Guild
Learn more at artsmemphis.org/arts-first.
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.
ABOUT FIRST HORIZON FOUNDATION. First Horizon Foundation is the private charitable foundation of First Horizon National Corporation. Founded in 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $150 million to meet community needs. Grants from the Foundation support the following impact areas: Arts & Culture, Education & Leadership, Environment, Financial Literacy, and Health & Human Services. More information is available at www.firsthorizonfoundation.com.