Our Mission

To enhance the cultural vibrancy of communities through the development of public art.

History

UrbanArt is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has worked to cultivate a dynamic, vibrant, and nurturing community through public art and design since 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee. UrbanArt partners with a variety of community stakeholders including neighborhood groups, private developers, and municipal authorities to produce art works of wide ranging media.

UrbanArt is funded in part by ArtsMemphis, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and donations from private citizens. Furthermore, UrbanArt acts as project manager for the ‘Percent for Art’ programs of the City of Memphis, as well as Memphis City Schools.

UrbanArt is an active member of Americans for the Arts, Tennesseans for the Arts, the Public Art Network, and the Greater Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce. All donations to UrbanArt are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Programs

Lectures and workshops led by nationally acclaimed experts develop public art production skills, cultivate professional practices for artists pursuing public art careers, and inform citizens in the lessons of arts advocacy to make their support heard to their local leaders.

Additionally, members of the UrbanArt staff are available to make presentations to community groups on topics including: Urban design, anti-blight solutions, public art history and processes, arts advocacy, and community-led art and design projects within the public realm.

Our in-house public art consulting and design services are customized per project for a variety of client types, including commercial, residential, municipal, and community groups on a fee-for-service basis.

Please contact Whitney Ranson (wranson [at] urbanartcommission [dot] org) for information on upcoming workshops or to request an UrbanArt presentation at your institution or gathering.