Proceeds from the festival, along with grants provided by Humanities Tennessee, the National Endowment for the Humanities, ArtsMemphis and the National Endowment for the Arts, support RiverArtsFest’s Community and Arts Education initiative, bringing free programming for students of all ages and abilities, art educators and the public, while providing paid opportunities for local artists.
WE’RE proud to support these education initiatives:
Peggy Seessel Professional Development Series:
Created in honor of RiverArtsFest’s late board member and arts education advocate, The Peggy Seessel Professional Development Series provides art educators and teaching artists with free, creative workshops presented by exceptional Memphis-area artists. A series of workshops are held annually throughout the calendar year, and in partnership with arts advocate groups such as the Art Center and Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.
Art in the Making–Artist Master Classes in the Shelby County & Municipal Schools:
Each year, more than 1,600 students of all ages and abilities experience master classes and workshops by noted artists such as Jimpsie Ayres, Chuck Johnson, Terry Lynn, Maysey Craddock and Katey Henriksen, at no cost to schools or students.
Free Festival Tickets:
RiverArtsFest distributes thousands of free admission tickets to the schools to encourage kids and their families to experience how art is created and celebrated.
Collaboration:
RiverArtsFest supports arts-related activities throughout the year at locations such as Stax Academy of Music, Levitt Shell, Memphis College of Art, Shelby County Schools, and more. We have also sponsored local college art scholarships through the University of Memphis and LeMoyne-Owen College, among others.
