ArtsMemphis allots $2 million in grants

Jul 12, 2008 (The Commercial Appeal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- FDX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- It was late in the afternoon on June 30, the final day of the fiscal year at ArtsMemphis, when the call came through.

It was FedEx.

Though it was left until the 11th hour, one of ArtsMemphis' main benefactors confirmed delivery of a six-figure gift that meant the fundraising outfit would not have to cut back on its annual grants to local arts organizations.

"It was so exciting," said Susan Schadt, president and chief executive officer of ArtsMemphis. "We were all jumping up and down."

Schadt and Co. continued making calls until midnight. Earlier this week, they distributed the fruit of their labor -- more than $2 million -- to 27 local arts organizations, some of which would have a difficult time surviving without such funding.

The majority of the funding will go to ArtsMemphis' so-called Keystone/Memphis Milestone organizations.

They include the Memphis Symphony Orchestra ($465,830); Memphis Brooks Museum of Art ($312,815); Ballet Memphis and Opera Memphis ($242,321 each); Playhouse on the Square ($211,480); Theatre Memphis ($119,839); and Memphis College of Art ($108,383).

"The ArtsMemphis money is unrestricted and used for general operating support," said Bob Arnold, grants manager at the Brooks Museum. "Getting unrestricted gifts of that size really frees us up to do what we need to do -- the important stuff."

While individual donors often prefer to earmark gifts, the ArtsMemphis money allows the Brooks "to keep things going," Arnold said. It helps pay the museum's utility bills and employee salaries.

"It really can go where we need it to go. It's really one of our most versatile gifts," Arnold said. "It's a substantial gift, and it's the same amount as last year. Which, considering the current economy, is fantastic."

In addition to its primary recipients, ArtsMemphis is also giving substantial project support grants to the likes of the Cultural Development Foundation ($24,000), the Blues Foundation ($22,800) and Africa in April ($20,500).

ArtsMemphis, which was launched in 1963 and recently underwent a major re-branding that helped attract 500 new donors, added four new recipients to its "Mosaic Grant" list: Indie Memphis ($4,150), True Story Pictures ($2,625), the Center for Southern Folklore and the New Ballet Ensemble ($2,500 each).

"We are, first and foremost, a grant-making organization to support the arts in our community," Schadt said. "The quality and diversity of these 27 organizations is quite impressive, and we are pleased to have added four more organizations to our Mosaic Grants this year.

"We are very proud to fulfill our mission and fund these cultural gems, and these annual grants would not be possible without the generous support of many individuals, businesses and foundations including AutoZone, First Tennessee, FedEx, Hyde Foundations, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Jeniam Foundation."

Combined with its fall enhancement fund, ArtsMemphis will distribute about $4 million in grants this year. According to Schadt, some 95 percent of donations to ArtsMemphis is redistributed to local arts organizations.

"We are pretty pleased with the response the community has given in light of the economic situation," Schadt said. "We thought for awhile we might have to cut back on our annual allocations, but we were able in the end to keep those flat. ... That shows how much Memphians care about these wonderful amenities."

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