by Tricia Dewey
For a city of its size, Memphis has an amazingly large and thriving arts community. It is an artistically, historically, culturally, and musically rich city, with individual and group talent visible all around town.
A relatively new initiative of Mayor Lee Harris’ administration, Art for All, aims to bring more of Shelby County’s artistic experiences to more people—especially to areas that might not usually have contact with the mix of music, dance, theater, and other art organizations here. The idea behind Art for All is to bring Shelby County families to renowned art institutions like the Brooks Museum, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Metal Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, and New Ballet Ensemble. It also shines a spotlight on organizations that might not get as much visibility, like Cazateatro, Davies Manor, and Memphis Youth Arts Initiative—while also bringing these organizations directly into Shelby County neighborhoods.
Planning for the Art for All movement began in 2021 within the Arts and Culture Subcommittee of the Shelby County Nonprofit Committee. When Nykesha Cole became the Shelby County Arts and Culture Liaison in July 2022, the vision began to move from planning to reality.
According to Cole, the initiative grew out of the idea that young people in marginalized neighborhoods don’t have the same access to arts and cultural assets as their peers. “Some children don’t participate in activities beyond their neighborhoods and schools,” she said. “By creating opportunities for exposure and accessibility for children and their families, there is an opportunity to experience the arts and its positive impact in our community. There are studies that show evidence the arts spark an interest in continued learning and creativity that children can carry throughout their lives, which ultimately can lead to lifelong community engagement and participation.” Shelby County government hopes this initiative will grow into a concerted and long-term effort.
Cole and her team have worked to create arts access and awareness through community festivals that showcase arts organizations with performances and art-making opportunities. These events are open to all Shelby County residents and include a series of pop-up festivals in a variety of neighborhoods. From 2023 to 2024, Art for All organized four pop-up festivals in underrepresented communities across the county. Events were held in Frayser (in partnership with Ark Wings, a local nonprofit), at Stax in Soulsville in South Memphis, in the Orange Mound community with the Orange Mound Music Fest (partnering with the Young Actors Guild and featuring Studio D and Collage Dance), and in Binghampton.
Cole described the model: an arts organization sponsors an event and invites other groups to join, bringing performances, information, and interactive art-making to the community. Sometimes they build on existing community days or open houses. Art for All adds to these events—inviting partner organizations, providing food trucks, and amplifying the experience to ensure more arts groups reach new neighborhoods.
In addition to neighborhood pop-ups, Art for All has hosted festivals at local venues since 2023. This year’s festival is scheduled for May 10, 2025, at Crosstown Arts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating groups include Opera Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble, Iris Collective, Creative Aging, Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo Theatre, Memphis Youth Arts, and many others.
Cole sees Art for All as a way to connect residents directly to the region’s arts organizations. “The nonprofit sector really is the boots on the ground that deal directly with residents and constituents,” she said. “Working with nonprofits, we have the pulse on what’s happening in the community. One of those things is that, oftentimes in Memphis and Shelby County—and this may be true anywhere—people don’t spend much time outside their own neighborhoods. At the same time, they don’t always have access to experiences in other areas. Arts and culture are part of what makes a community unique.”
With Memphis’ legacy of music and culture, Cole emphasized how strong and vibrant the local arts scene is. “We want our residents to be able to experience those things and have access to them. At the same time, it fosters a sense of appreciation and pride about where you live. It brings vibrancy to everyday life. The [Shelby County Arts and Culture] committee believes this is something all residents should enjoy—whether they live in Orange Mound, Binghampton, Frayser, Raleigh, or East Memphis. Everyone should have access to these experiences and resources. That’s why it’s important to push this message out.”
Another major component of the initiative is the Art for All Culture Pass, launched in March 2025. Available through Memphis public libraries and community centers, the pass provides access for elementary school students and their families to more than 30 nonprofit arts organizations across Memphis. Some groups offer special days and activities for participating students. The pass is valid for a full year and is designed to serve underserved communities, though it is open to all. Participating organizations include Memphis staples like the Stax Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, Pink Palace Museum, and the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum—each of which blend music, art, and history.
Art for All is everywhere—and it’s growing.
More information about the initiative and other Memphis cultural happenings is available on wearememphis.com.
