This blog post will be the first in a series that examines the relationship between museums and archives. In this series, we will look at who the archives gatekeepers are, how the Brooks is diversifying and re-examining our own archives, and most importantly, how we steward forgotten or overlooked histories. When a museum staff member thinks of the word stewardship, we often think of our donors and members. Stewardship is a word I am constantly reflecting on as the museum’s Donor... Read More

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is fortunate to have a fantastic team of docent volunteers who lead the museum’s school tours, guiding students in grades pre-Kindergarten through twelve through the museum’s galleries to engage with art and build 21 st century skills. These dedicated volunteers participate in seven months of in-depth training to get started as a docent, meeting twice a week for two-and-a-half hours a day to learn about the history and processes of art, tour... Read More

While we've all been practicing social distancing and staying "safer at home," many of us have also picked up or expanded our creative practices – from trying new recipes in the kitchen, to planting a new garden, to writing and making art.  The ability to explore those creative practices is perhaps one of the silver linings in this storm of change and uncertainty.  Perhaps those practices are also things that we should continue to make time and space for, even as... Read More

In Loving Memory Last week, the Decorative Arts Trust and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art lost one of its dearest friends, Dr. Walter Robert Brown, or "Bob" as he was known to everyone fortunate enough to make his acquaintance. Bob Brown was one of the most distinguished, beloved, and admired citizens of Memphis: unfailingly gallant and gentlemanly; truly generous and kind; a connoisseur of the decorative arts, especially those of Jacobean and Stuart England; a... Read More

Greetings friends! It’s not too late to join in on 2020 Wacky Wednesday “at home!” We’re only half way through this summer’s series and there are five more free, pdf lesson plans coming your way in July (release dates: July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29).   Click here to sign up for free today by completing a brief registration form!   Week FIVE Feature Film : “Omelette” by Madeline Sharafian “Omelette,” 2014.... Read More

In honor of Juneteenth, the Brooks asked several black creatives based here in Memphis to share what the holiday means to them, and more broadly, their views on the role of art and cultural institutions at this time. The selected individuals -- categorized as “the collector,” “the arts advocate,” “the artist,” “the curator” and “the leader” -- differ in their perspectives and approaches, but are all united in their belief in the power... Read More

#ColorOurCollections While we've all been practicing social distancing and staying "safer at home," many of us have also picked up or expanded our creative practices – from trying new recipes in the kitchen, to planting a new garden, to writing and making art.  The ability to explore those creative practices is perhaps one of the silver linings in this storm of change and uncertainty.  Perhaps those practices are also things that we should continue to make time... Read More