Why Memphis Art + Design Week?

Written By Whitney Hardy

We believe that art, design, and culture are the key ingredient in developing a strategy for sustainable urban development. Other cities have proven that leveraging existing festivals into larger citywide events has merit across many levels of the city (ie. Lollapalooza, Art Basel Miami, various food festivals, etc.). MAD Week identifies the many artistic and cultural assets of Memphis from diverse communities and disciplines and amplifies the creative class and partners from emerging studios, established companies, and educational institutions contributes to the current culture, future development, and overall desirability of the city.

Other reasons why:

  • By coordinating events throughout the week and across multiple venues and virtually, visitors and tourists will be encouraged to arrive in Memphis and stay longer

  • Increased arts and culture programming assists with the attraction and retention of talent.

  • Local residents will find new avenues to experience the arts in Memphis.

  • Smaller grassroots efforts will have exponential exposure to larger audiences

  • Existing large events will benefit from increased exposure, brand affiliation, and the opportunity to expand the overall options throughout the week without incurring additional cost or time for management and coordination.

3RDSPACE has designed Memphis Art + Design Week to exceed industry standards for an equitable and sustainable creative community as identified by UNESCO. Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) aims to strengthen cooperation with and among cities that have recognized creativity as a strategic factor of sustainable development as regards economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects.

These goals include:

  • strengthen the creation, production, distribution and dissemination of cultural activities, goods and services;

  • develop hubs of creativity and innovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in the cultural sector;

  • improve access to and participation in cultural life, in particular for marginalized or vulnerable groups and individuals;

  • fully integrate culture and creativity into sustainable development plans.

Whitney Hardy
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