Artsmemphis
Artsmemphis is a public charity based in Memphis, Tennessee, that supports the arts to strengthen the community. Its grantmaking includes support for arts organizations and individual artists, as well as project grants administered in partnership with other funders.
Artsmemphis at a glance
In short: Artsmemphis gave $1.6M across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $35K), mostly in Tennessee. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,596,795
- +27.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,713
- +24.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,875
- Total assets
- $28,806,095
- +3.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (3 of 46, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Artsmemphis
- How to Apply
-
Applications are generally submitted through ARTSmemphis’s online grant system. Most applications involve an LOI that serves as an organizational profile, followed by a narrative application; for ArtsZone, the LOI is the first step in the review process. Arts Build Communities applications use the Tennessee Arts Commission’s grant portal. The ArtsZone program requires a current 501(c)(3) status, a primary place of business in Shelby County, at least a three-year history of presenting quality arts programs, and at least one ARTSmemphis grant since July 2023. Operating Support has additional eligibility requirements, including a primary arts focus and at least two ARTSmemphis grants since July 2023. The organization requires narrative and financial reports from grant recipients and may withhold installment payments when reporting requirements are unmet.
- Contact
Mailing address: 575 S Mendenhall Road, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 578-2787
Website: https://artsmemphis.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Artsmemphis
Who Artsmemphis funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Memphis Brooks Museum of Art ($381K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
223 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 173 grants of 223 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing’s itemized grants show that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee. The Operating Support and ArtsZone program descriptions specify Shelby County eligibility requirements. ARTSassist supports artists living and working in Shelby County, and its eligibility information requires at least three years of Shelby County residency before the application deadline.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Artsmemphis open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 46 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 89% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $937K (2021) to $1.9M (2022). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Memphis, TN | Operating Support & Enhancement | $381,000 |
| Metal Museum Inc Memphis, TN | Operating Support & Enhancement | $116,000 |
| Opera Memphis Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $82,750 |
| Soulsville Foundation Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $81,000 |
| Ballet Memphis Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $63,000 |
| Memphis Symphony Orchestra Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $62,500 |
| Collage Dance Collective Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $61,000 |
| Circuit Playhouse Inc Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $59,000 |
| New Ballet Ensemble and School Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $55,500 |
| Theatre Memphis Memphis, TN | Operating Support | $48,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Artsmemphis?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,806,095 | $2,017,994 | $3,089,191 | $1,596,795 | 46 | $206,229 |
| 2024 | $27,849,267 | $2,334,272 | $3,920,114 | $1,256,220 | 45 | $135,973 |
| 2023 | $27,700,637 | $3,289,255 | $4,429,798 | $1,858,020 | 45 | $114,488 |
| 2022 | $27,136,198 | $4,849,435 | $3,461,047 | $1,941,000 | 45 | $247,973 |
| 2021 | $27,910,571 | $7,627,424 | $2,262,185 | $936,869 | 42 | $173,132 |
| 2020 | $17,554,417 | $1,361,032 | $2,741,658 | $1,572,155 | 34 | $23,788 |
| 2019 | $19,575,424 | $2,465,046 | $2,534,095 | $1,466,500 | 28 | $377,109 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ARTSmemphis states its mission as “supporting the arts to strengthen our community.” Its website describes a vision of a thriving, sustainable Memphis arts community where people can participate, artists and organizations flourish, and the city’s cultural identity fosters pride and connection.
Its grants include operating support, enhancement grants, project grants, and support for artists. The organizations receiving 2025 grants include museums, opera and music organizations, dance groups, and theatres. For example, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art received operating support and enhancement; Opera Memphis describes its mission as entertaining and inspiring people through opera; and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra says its mission is to enrich the community through music and programs. Hattiloo Theatre describes its mission as cultivating and promoting appreciation of Black drama arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Artsmemphis reported 46 grants totaling $1,596,795. Grants ranged from $6,250 to $381,000, with a median of $18,875. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee. The largest awards included $381,000 to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for operating support and enhancement, $116,000 to Metal Museum for operating support and enhancement, $82,750 to Opera Memphis for operating support, and $81,000 to Soulsville Foundation for operating support.
Its programs include an Operating Support Grant for eligible arts organizations, ARTSassist for artists, ArtsZone in partnership with AutoZone, and the Arts Build Communities grant administered in West Tennessee for the Tennessee Arts Commission. The website says FY26 Operating Support funding totals $1.3 million. The FY27 Operating Support application was scheduled to open March 23, 2026, but that date has passed; that cycle is limited to eligible FY26 recipients. The FY28 timeline is to be announced in January 2027, and the website says only current Operating Support recipients will be eligible to apply.
The FY27 ArtsZone application was scheduled to open April 13, 2026, with an LOI deadline of May 8; those dates have passed. The FY27 ARTSassist application is scheduled to close October 4, 2026. ARTSmemphis also partners with Renasant Bank on the annual Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration, a $10,000 award for a visual artist, and with Music Export Memphis on an Artist Emergency Fund for artists facing unexpected, catastrophic emergencies.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jon Moorehead as chair of the board; Russ Wigginton as secretary; and Mary Hopkins as treasurer. It also lists Kathy Gale Uhlhorn, Pat Danehy, Trow Gillespie, Bruce Hopkins, Gary Wunderlich, Oscar Adams, and Bo Allen as board members.
Artsmemphis is led by Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 3 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Rouse
President & CEO
President & Chief Executive Officer → President & Chief Executive, 2021
President & Chief Executive → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$145K (2019) → $165K (2025)
Jon Moorehead
Chair & Board of Directors
Treasurer & Board of Directors → Secretary & Board of Director, 2022
Secretary & Board of Director → Chair & Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Martin Hand
Vice Chair & Board of Director
Member & Board of Directors → Vice Chair & Board of Directors, 2024
Vice Chair & Board of Directors → Vice Chair & Board of Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Russ Wigginton
Secretary & Board of Director
Vice Chair & Board of Director → Secretary & Board of Directors, 2024
Secretary & Board of Directors → Secretary & Board of Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mary Hopkins
Treasurer & Board of Director
Treasurer & Board of Director → Treasurer & Board of Directors, 2024
Treasurer & Board of Directors → Treasurer & Board of Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tracy Lauritzen Wright
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$97K (2020) → $108K (2025)
Julie Wiklund
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$33K (2022) → $95K (2025)
Bo Allen
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Bob Craddock
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Bruce B. Hopkins
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Gary Wunderlich
Member & Board of Directors
Member & Board of Directors → Endowment Chair & Board of Directors, 2020
Endowment Chair & Board of Directors → Member & Board of Directors, 2021
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kate Connell
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kathy Gale Uhlhorn
Member & Board of Directors
Vice Chair & Board of Directors → Chair & Board of Directors, 2022
Chair & Board of Directors → Member & Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Oscar Adams
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Pat Danehy
Member & Board of Directors
Vice Chair & Board of Director → Chair & Board of Directors, 2020
Chair & Board of Directors → Member & Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Trow Gillespie
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mike Campanaro
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Calvin Biggers
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Dianne Mall
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Reg Paige
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Lowry Howell
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Rachel Jackson
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Bo White
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Carl Moore
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
John Bass
Member & Board of Directors
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Audsley Carr
Member & Board of Directors
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Jonathan Hancock
Member & Board of Directors
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Kera Getter
Member & Board of Directors
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Juanita Ortiz (2019–2024) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Michael Drake (2019–2024) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Kera Wright (2022–2024) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Bill Carkeet Jr. (2019–2023) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Ellen Lester (2019–2022) — Former Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Greg Baudoin (2019–2022) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Lucy Lee (2019–2022) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Ron Walter (2019–2022) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Whitney Hardy (2019–2022) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Ashley Patterson (2019–2021) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Maysey Craddock (2019–2021) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: C. David Biggers Jr. (2019–2020) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Greg Fletcher (2019–2020) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Gretchen McLennon (2019–2020) — Secretary & Board of Directors
- Former: Jon Ernst (2019–2020) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Reginald R. Paige Sr. (2019–2020) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Terri Browne (2019–2020) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Wilton D. Chick Hill (2019–2020) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: Jimmie Williams (2019) — Member & Board of Directors
- Former: John Pettey (2019) — Member & Board of Directors
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $165K, to Elizabeth Rouse (President, CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Artsmemphis
How much does Artsmemphis give each year?
Artsmemphis gave $1.6M across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 45 grants.
What is Artsmemphis's typical grant size?
Artsmemphis's median grant in 2025 was $18,875, and its average grant was $34,713, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Artsmemphis that year got $8K on average.
Where does Artsmemphis give grants?
Artsmemphis gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (40 grants), Cordova, TN (2 grants) and Germantown, TN (2 grants).
Does Artsmemphis give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Artsmemphis's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Artsmemphis's largest grantees?
Artsmemphis's largest 2025 grantees include Memphis Brooks Museum of Art ($381,000), Metal Museum Inc ($116,000) and Opera Memphis ($82,750), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Artsmemphis?
Artsmemphis reported $28.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What does Artsmemphis fund?
ARTSmemphis states its mission as “supporting the arts to strengthen our community.” Its website describes a vision of a thriving, sustainable Memphis arts community where people can participate, artists and organizations flourish, and the city’s cultural identity fosters pride and connection. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Artsmemphis?
Applications are generally submitted through ARTSmemphis’s online grant system. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Artsmemphis's EIN?
Artsmemphis's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0693547. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Artsmemphis's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Artsmemphis funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/artsmemphis-morg_c3aef865770b4fc0a7bb247eb067a298
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_620693547_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Artsmemphis funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/artsmemphis-morg_c3aef865770b4fc0a7bb247eb067a298},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Artsmemphis's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Artsmemphis down — hundreds of funders to go?