About
Art brings people together.
For 20 years, RiverArtsFest has brought them together in Memphis.
Each October, more than 160 juried artists from Memphis and across the country gather along the Mississippi River for two days of original fine art, live local music, artist demonstrations and creative experiences.
But RiverArtsFest is more than one weekend.
We are a volunteer-led nonprofit that uses the festival to reinvestment back into the community—to create opportunities for artists, expand access to the arts and bring working artists and arts education into schools and communities throughout Shelby County.
20 Years
presenting the region’s largest fine arts festival in Downtown Memphis
top 20!
out of 200 national fine arts festivals as voted by the artists, four years in a row
3K+ fine artists
from Memphis and across the nation have showcased their original works
200K+ Free tickets
distributed to Memphis and Shelby County school students
Plus, hundreds of year-round free community and arts education programming reaching countless families, students, and teachers over two decades.
One Festival. Impact all year.
Every ticket purchased, poster collected and sponsorship granted helps RiverArtsFest reach beyond the festival weekend.
Throughout the year, we partner with working artists, schools and community organizations to bring creative experiences to people across Shelby County—from professional development for art teachers and artist-led school programs to free community workshops and festival access for thousands of young people and families.
TAKE A MOMENT TO LEARN ABOUT THE FESTIVAL’S DOLLARS IN ACTION on OUR COMMUNITY & ARTS EDUCATION PAGE.
BUILT BY MEMPHIS
RiverArtsFest is governed and produced by a volunteer board and steering committee—artists, arts advocates, business leaders and Memphians who give their time and talents to make the festival and its year-round work possible.
We’re joined each October by hundreds of volunteers who help us welcome artists and festivalgoers from across Memphis and around the country.
FROM OVERTON PARK TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
In 1984, Arts in the Park brought artists and art lovers together in Overton Park through a program of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. When the event eventually came to an end, a group of longtime volunteers wasn't ready to let the tradition disappear.
They created something new.
In 2007, RiverArtsFest debuted in the South Main Arts District. In 2018, the festival moved to Riverside Drive—placing artists, art lovers and the Memphis skyline alongside the Mississippi River.
Twenty years after that first RiverArtsFest, some of the people who helped build it are still helping lead it today.
natioNALLY TOP RANKED FESTIVAL
RiverArtsFest has held a top-20 national ranking in Sunshine Artist magazine every year since 2013 based on artist sales.
Our mission
To cultivate, promote, encourage and develop public appreciation and support of the visual and performing arts for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the citizens of Memphis and the surrounding communities in the Mid-South.
Board of directors
Lee Askew III, Director-At-Large
Lauren Berry Bennett, Special Events
Nykesha Cole, Retail
Clay Eber, Finance
Jordan Edmundson, Development
Dan Flick, Festival Logistics
Denise Ford, Festival Director & Artist Market
Angela Less, Grants & Community and Arts Education
Hope Martin, Special Events
Chuck Mitchell, Festival Graphics & Art Direction
Kelley Morice, Marketing & Public Relations
Asa Toney, Special Counsel Advisory
Kim Warnette, Visual Arts Advisory
Carol Watkins, Director-At-Large
James Wells, Community Education & Special Projects
Steering committee
Leigh Barker
Jared Boyd
Megan Bryant
Eli Cloud
Eric Cloud
Cindy Cogbill
Cyndy Grivich
Michael Helminski
Ellen Hornyak
Susie Jabbour
Emma Less
Pam McCloskey
Denny McGivern
Debby Greer Mirda
Will Randolph
Michelle Repass
Shannon Rock
Derikah Scott
Mark Sehnert
Mary Sexton
Shelia Swain
Tom Wilson
Dianne Yaich
THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU IN OUR STORY.
Whether you give your time, invest as a sponsor or make a donation, your support helps RiverArtsFest Welcome artist to Memphis and create arts experiences throughout our community.