This blog was written by Jacob Steimer
Art is bringing economic stability to South Memphis
Next month, over 500 Memphians will gather in a South Memphis warehouse to buy art and promote economic stability in the surrounding neighborhood.
Over 16 years, Art for Jobs has grown into one of the city’s premier art events and raised almost $2 million to support Advance Memphis. The nonprofit has used these funds to help it provide classes and employment services to over 1,600 residents of South Memphis since the fundraiser began.
“We cherish Art for Jobs not only for the financial provision but because it’s an opportunity for us to affirm the arts,” said Advance Memphis executive director Steve Nash. “We get to see in living color the creativity God made.”
How Advance Memphis Promotes stability in South Memphis
Advance Memphis promotes stability in South Memphis through a trauma-informed job readiness course, employment services, and a financial literacy program. The two ZIP codes Advance serves (38126 and 38106) have the two highest poverty rates in the city.
The job readiness course, Work Life, helps participants improve their relationships with themselves, others, God, and work with a curriculum that includes art, emotional regulation techniques, and optional forklift training.
Art produced by Work Life students will hang alongside works from about 100 local artists at Art for Jobs 2026, including featured artists Savannah Jewell, Kaylyn Webster, and Noelle Holler.
The event will take place at 575 Suzette St. from 5:30-7:30 on Sept. 24. All art not sold during those two hours will be available for online purchase Sept. 24-29 at advancememphis.org.
About the Author
Jacob Steimer is the Marketing, Communications, and Grants Manager for Advance Memphis. He previously wrote for MLK50: Justice Through Journalism and the Memphis Business Journal.
