Crosstown Arts

New Orleans, LA. and Memphis, TN. are two cities that have more in common than just sharing a border along the Mississippi River. Both are responsible for birthing a music legacy that has defined American Music, not to mention bragging rights for a culture rich in food and southern folklore, owing to a tourism industry which keeps the local economy afloat. Unfortunately, they often unintentionally compete with each other in having one of the highest poverty rates in the country. As a result, neighborhoods that were once thriving communities have become forgotten, leaving a trail of blighted buildings scattered across both cities. Fortunately, both cities are going through a Renaissance at the moment, where artists are front and center as …show more content…
For example, the development will house 40 live-work studios for national and international artists to participate in residencies and engagement projects with the community for 3-month terms. A total of 120 artists will be selected a year, also allowing for cultural exchange and an opportunity to put Memphis on the map as a creative hub. Moreover, as it is common practice for institutions to separate the artist and the audience, Crosstown will create as many opportunities to bring them together. A community kitchen and dining room are in the building to serve three meals a day to resident artists and is open to the community to dine with the artists. By creating spaces serving multiple disciplines in proximity throughout the building, artists will be more likely to collaborate and influence each other and the community. For example, a music listening room, multiple screening rooms, and small performance areas and galleries are strategically placed throughout the building to engage with different sectors. What excited me most is that usually many performance spaces and galleries are off the beaten path. But if the space is next to a health clinic or education center than those stakeholders are more likely to interact with the artistic practice, possibly cultivating ideas to innovate. Multiple nonprofits that focus on education, social justice, and health care will take up the rest of the building. With an estimated activity of 3000 per day, these same people could attend a performance after a day of work, buy a painting during their lunch break, or invite their friends to an upcoming film screening by a local filmmaker. Finally, like-minded creative businesses, restaurants, and a wing for residential apartments will complete