News

Artspace Groundbreaking in Downtown Memphis

From Anne B. Pope, Executive Director —Artspace

The highly anticipated Artspace South Main Lofts in Downtown Memphis will break ground this Thursday. Nearly ten years in the making, this project will provide affordable housing for artists and creative professionals in the greater Memphis area. The Tennessee Arts Commission has partnered with ArtsMemphis to support the development of this cultural asset, and we look forward to witnessing the value it will bring to the Memphis community.

When complete, the $17M project will be the first Artspace facility in the Southeastern United States. It will have 58 units available, with an additional 12,000 square feet to be used for studios, performances, galleries and events. ArtsMemphis will work with the South Main Artspace Lofts to help facilitate activity in the space and connect residents with the community through neighborhood events such as the weekly farmer’s market, South Main’s Trolley Nights and the annual River Arts Festival.

The South Main Artspace Lofts will have significant positive economic and community impacts on the South Main neighborhood and the greater Memphis area. We believe it will then reach beyond Memphis and become a model for other communities across Tennessee. This project will engage arts and culture in continuing to brand this Memphis neighborhood, reach underserved populations and develop a high value partnership for Tennessee with the national nonprofit Artspace.

The groundbreaking will be held at 138 St. Paul Avenue on Thursday, September 29. TN Arts Commission Chair Lisa Bobango will join other funders and key leaders on the project to share remarks at the ceremony. Other speakers include: Barbara Hyde, president of the Hyde Family Foundations; Senator Mark Norris; Kelley Lindquist, president of Artspace; Paul Young, director of the City of Memphis Housing and Community Development; and more.