ArtsZone Grants
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Required status
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Other requirements
- Minimum three-year history of presenting quality arts projects.
- Active and diverse Board of Directors.
- Funded programs must be accessible to the entire community regardless of age, creed, disability, gender, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin.
- Requests may be for program or project support, season sponsorship, or for general operating support.
Not eligible / not funded
- Not eligible: AutoZone continues to not support event sponsorships for the purpose of fundraising (dinners, luncheons, etc), and they will be highly discouraged in the application process.
Overview
The ArtsZone Grants, administered by ARTSmemphis in partnership with AutoZone, support local arts organizations in Memphis. These grants focus on health and wellness, education, community development, diversity, and arts access. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities with a minimum three-year history of quality arts projects. Funding amounts typically range from $5,000 to $30,000, aimed at enhancing community engagement through creative initiatives.
What is ArtsZone?
In partnership with AutoZone, ARTSmemphis administers an annual ArtsZone grant toward local arts organizations’ programs and events across the categories of health & wellness, education & youth development, community development, diversity, equity & inclusion, and general arts & culture.
Funding is determined by a grant panel composed of AutoZone representatives.
Health & Wellness
Improving health and wellbeing through affordable healthcare options and preventative health care methods
Community Development
Advancing the Memphis community through placed based development and social services
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Highlighting community initiatives that provide diverse and inclusive objectives spaces
Arts & Culture
Ensuring access to the arts and a wide-variety of culture experiences (capital campaign gifts only, refer to ArtsZone Grants for annual arts related grant funding.)
AutoZone Projects of Importance
High importance: ProgrammingMedium importance: General operating supportLow importance: Events and sponsorships
Funding
There is not a suggested minimum or maximum request amount, but grants typically range from $5,000 to $30,000.
Eligibility
501(c)(3) in the Greater Memphis area with an arts focus.Minimum three-year history of presenting quality arts projects.Active and diverse Board of Directors.Funded programs must be accessible to the entire community regardless of age, creed, disability, gender, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin.Requests may be for program or project support, season sponsorship, or for general operating support.
Ineligibility
AutoZone continues to not support event sponsorships for the purpose of fundraising (dinners, luncheons, etc), and they will be highly discouraged in the application process.
What Artsmemphis actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 46
- Total given
- $1.6M
- Median grant
- $19K
- Range
- $6,250–$381K
- By dollars: Tennessee 100%. Top recipient cities: Memphis, TN; Cordova, TN; Germantown, TN.
- 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 7% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art · Memphis, TN
Operating support & enhancement
$381K
Metal Museum Inc · Memphis, TN
Operating support & enhancement
$116K
Opera Memphis · Memphis, TN
Operating support
$83K
Soulsville Foundation · Memphis, TN
Operating support
$81K
Ballet Memphis · Memphis, TN
Operating support
$63K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Nonprofits
- Arts
- Health education
- Youth programs
- Diversity
Categories
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