Black Art Collective

Celebrating and Supporting Black Art

Black Art Collective Members connect with artists and one another while helping Memphis Art Museum acquire works by Black artists and present programs that center Black artists and audiences. This collective is dedicated to ensuring that Black artists, stories, and patrons are represented and championed at the museum.

Join BAC

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Presented by Bank of America

Spend time with Black art—and with one another

The art starts the conversation. The people keep it going.

Black Art Collective gives members regular opportunities to meet artists, museum staff, and one another. Events range from small happy hours and exhibition tours to an annual dinner. Over time, the people you meet at one gathering become the people you look for at the next.

As a philanthropic collective, Black Art Collective includes full Memphis Art Museum membership, and your annual contribution helps the museum acquire works by Black artists and present programs that center Black artists and audiences.

Member programs

Art & Aperitifs
A guided conversation that slows down to spend time with an artist, exhibition, or a single work of art.
Visit with Artists
An informal, intimate space to engage with creators, offering unique insights into their artistic process and, occasionally, exclusive studio tours.
Private Exhibition Tours
A privately-led exhibition tour, sometimes featuring special guests, followed by drinks and conversation.
Annual Collective Dinner
Gather for the Collective’s signature annual event celebrating Black art and the community that supports it.

What members make possible

Black art in Memphis’ collection

Annual contributions from Black Art Collective members are pooled to help the museum acquire works by emerging and established Black artists from Memphis and beyond. These works become part of Memphis’ art collection and can be shared through exhibitions, education, and research.

Programs for Black artists and audiences

Member support helps the museum present artist conversations, exhibition programs, and gatherings developed around Black art. These experiences bring artists and audiences into closer conversation while giving people more ways to connect at the museum.

Leadership Members

Laquita J. Barnes
Carolyn Blackett
Pam Blatch
Chiquilla and Eric Brown
Nelda and Tyrone Burroughs
Kerri Campbell
Nansa Jo Catchings
Trevia Chatman
Stephanie Cole
Cynthia Collins
Donald Comer

Dr. Reginald Coopwood and Erica Stiff-Coopwood
Dr. Sonia Eden
William S. Etnyre
Tiffany L. Graham
Estella Mayhue Greer
Cheryl Green and Kandace Thomas
Carmeon Hamilton
Carolyn Hardy
Sharon Devine Harris and Jeff Harris
Brent and Kenyata Hooks
Kimberly and Nicole Hudson

Linda Ivy-Rosser
Mary McDaniel
Linda McNeil
Judith B. Moore
Charlie Nelson
Lauren and Nate Ollie
Valerie G. Perkins
Elliot and Kimberly Perry
Dana Pointer
Kyle Pourciau
Natalie and Larry Terrell Robinson

Cathy Ross
Gloria Sangster-Fort
Kim Seymour
Bridget Sisney
Kandace Stewart
Ms. Tish Towns
Kamilah Turner
Sheila Urevbu
Tracee Walls
Sasha Yates
Michell Zulu

Membership levels

All Black Art Collective members receive Art Club benefits and access to core Collective programming. Higher levels include experiences across all four museum Collectives and more personal access to artists, curators, and museum leadership.

Annual commitments are shown below. Monthly giving is available.

Ambassador | $250 annually Leadership | $1,500 annually Artist Circle | $5,000 annually

Curator’s Circle | $10,000 annually Director’s Circle | $25,000 annually

Ambassador | $250 annually

Take part in the Black Art Collective community while supporting acquisitions and programs centered on Black art.

Benefits include:

Art Club benefits and program discounts
Included admission to Art & Aperitifs, Happy Hours with Artists, Private Exhibition Tours, and the Black Art Collective Dinner
Invitations to select openings at local galleries

Leadership | $1,500 annually

Deepen your support and take part in experiences offered across the museum’s Collective communities.

Includes all Ambassador benefits, plus:

Included admission to signature events presented by all four museum Collectives
Invitations to the annual welcome gatherings for all four Collectives
Invitations to select Global Council events

Ambassador | $250 annually Artist Circle | $5,000 annually

Artist Circle | $5,000 annually

Spend time with artists in the places where their work is created and see more of the museum’s work behind the scenes.

Includes all Leadership benefits, plus:

Invitations to intimate artist studio visits, generally limited to three to five guests
Behind-the-scenes experiences such as conversations with a curator in collection storage or opportunities to observe an exhibition installation

Leadership | $1,500 annually Curator’s Circle | $10,000 annually

Curator’s Circle | $10,000 annually

Explore exhibitions and collections alongside the people who research, interpret, and care for them.

Includes all Artist Circle benefits, plus:

Invitations to special exhibition tours and previews in other cities
A museum-hosted dinner during select group trips

Members arrange their own transportation and lodging for travel experiences.

Artist Circle | $5,000 annually Director’s Circle | $25,000 annually

Director’s Circle | $25,000 annually

Build a closer relationship with Memphis Art Museum and the people leading its work.

Includes all Curator’s Circle benefits, plus:

Invitation to a special dinner with museum leadership, with opportunities to shape future programming

Curator’s Circle | $10,000 annually

Black Art Collective in action

Member support has helped Memphis Art Museum acquire As Black as the Rainbow by Alteronce Gumby. Made with moss agate, glass, and acrylic, the work uses shifting color and light to explore Blackness as expansive and multifaceted.