Memphis, August 17, 2025
News Summary
The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is progressing with its construction in Downtown Memphis despite ongoing legal challenges regarding land ownership. Set to open in 2026, the museum will offer 122,000 square feet of public space for free access. A recent $1.65 million grant aims to enhance collaboration with regional museums. While legal disputes with Friends for Our Riverfront are ongoing, the museum’s future looks promising thanks to new partnerships and exhibitions planned for the upcoming years.
Memphis
Construction of the new Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is ongoing in Downtown Memphis, despite legal challenges and a recent grant announcement aimed at enhancing collaboration with regional museums. The new facility is set to open in 2026 and will feature 122,000 square feet of public space intended for free access.
A lawsuit filed against the museum by Friends for Our Riverfront has been narrowed down, with Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson dismissing all but one claim. The remaining legal issue involves the ownership of the land designated for the museumโland that Friends for Our Riverfront argues belongs to local citizens and was unlawfully appropriated. The land in question has historical significance, having been originally inhabited by the Chickasaw Nation before European settlers claimed it, including former President Andrew Jackson.
The lawsuit contends that the city lacks the authority to construct the museum on a site known as “the promenade.” Although a temporary restraining order initially halted construction, it was lifted in June 2024 after Chancellor Jefferson rejected a temporary injunction due to the unpaid bond associated with the order.
The Friends for Our Riverfront coalition includes heirs of the city’s founders, asserting that the property rights of local citizens would be violated with the museum’s construction. Meanwhile, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art remains operational in its current location in Overton Park until the new facility is completed.
In a positive stride amidst these challenges, a $1.65 million grant from the Art Bridges Foundation has been awarded to the Memphis Brooks Museum. This funding is designed to foster collaboration with regional museums in promoting exhibitions that exhibit accessibility and regional heritage. Included in the peer museum group are the Fisk University Galleries, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Birmingham Museum of Art, and Mississippi Museum of Art.
The first collaborative exhibition, which will explore the theme of time, is being organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2026. Following this, a joint project focusing on the influences of Southern cuisine on art will tour the participating institutions from 2027 to 2029, led by the Birmingham Museum of Art. The initiative aims to facilitate the exchange of collections and expertise among the museums involved.
Ultimately, while the construction of the new Memphis Brooks Museum of Art continues to face legal intricacies, its future partnership with regional institutions offers a promising outlook for cultural engagement in the area.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Downtown Memphis |
| Size | 122,000 square feet |
| Opening Year | 2026 |
| Lawsuit | Challenges regarding land ownership |
| Grant Amount | $1.65 million from Art Bridges Foundation |
| Collaborating Institutions | Fisk University Galleries, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Birmingham Museum of Art, Mississippi Museum of Art |
| First Exhibition Theme | Exploration of Time |
| Second Exhibition Theme | Influence of Southern Food on Art |
FAQ
What is the status of the Memphis Brooks Museum construction?
The construction is ongoing, but it faces a lawsuit over land ownership claims, which has been partially dismissed.
What is the significance of the land being contested?
The land was historically significant as it was originally inhabited by the Chickasaw Nation before being claimed by early settlers.
What is the focus of the grant received by the Memphis Brooks Museum?
The grant of $1.65 million will support collaboration among regional museums to promote accessibility and cultural heritage through new exhibitions.
When will the new museum open?
The new museum is projected to open in 2026.
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Additional Resources
- The Daily Memphian: Runway to a More Active Downtown Memphis
- Commercial Appeal: Lawsuit Against New Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Brooks Museum Grant Partnership
- The Daily Memphian: Memphis Brooks Museum Docents
- Memphis Magazine: Five Things to Do in Memphis This Weekend
- Wikipedia: Memphis, Tennessee
- Google Search: Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memphis, Tennessee
- Google Scholar: Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
- Google News: Memphis Brooks Museum News
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
