MAKER RESOURCE GUIDE

A MAKER’S GUIDE TO RESOURCES IN MEMPHIS & SHELBY COUNTY

This Maker Resource Guide features organizations and programs that support entrepreneurs, artists and makers. The Guide is intended to be a quick-reference tool for you to locate helpful resources and services. The goal in providing this information is to not only grow maker businesses but also build up community around them.

Are we missing a valuable resource for makers? Have you had a great experience with a program or organization that you don't see here? Tell us about it and we'll work to add it into the Maker Resource Guide!

SECTIONS: BUSINESS // COMMUNITY // EDUCATION

BUSINESS

COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED

Communities Unlimited works with entrepreneurs from a simple idea to business expansion and everything in between. They work one-on-one solving problems, building capacity, and implementing the systems that small business owners need to succeed, increase profitability and create jobs. 

LOCATION 516 TENNESSEE ST. // SUITE 407 // MEMPHIS, TN 38103
PHONE 901.312.9797
Website // Facebook // Twitter 

EPICENTER

The goal of EPIcenter is to create 500 companies and support 1,000 entrepreneurs in 10 years by strengthening network resources in Ideas and Technology, Talent, Capital, and Customers.

EPIcenter is the hub of the Greater Memphis entrepreneurship movement. With its network of partners, EPIcenter is the enabler of unified strategies to increase support to new and existing entrepreneurs for business growth. Serving as the broader voice of the partner network and a single point of accountability, EPIcenter measures and celebrates the impact of entrepreneurial support to create a just, inclusive, and growing economy that accrues to all Memphians.

LOCATION 902 S. COOPER ST. // MEMPHIS, TN 38104
PHONE 901.312.9797
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

RIVER CITY CAPITAL

Whether you are an existing business owner looking to expand and grow your operations, or if you’re trying to realize your first business dream – River City Capital is here to help. 

River City Capital strategically provides loans to community development organizations and for-profit businesses that operate within neighborhoods in Memphis chosen for economic redevelopment. 

They leverage community partners for capital and other incentives for startups and other businesses.

LOCATION 119 S. COURT AVE. // SUITE 100 // MEMPHIS, TN 38103
PHONE 901.521.4232
Website // Facebook // Twitter 

SCORE MENTORING

SCORE Memphis offers free and confidential counseling to start up businesses and existing small businesses that seek advice. Connect with a local SCORE mentor to get free small business advice.

Since 1964, SCORE’s mission has been focused on the American dream of small business ownership. SCORE works by matching business management counselors with current and prospective small business owners in need of expert advice. Today, SCORE provides more than 400,000 counseling and training sessions each year, including more than 100,000 counseling sessions conducted by email counselors online.

LOCATION 5100 POPLAR AVE. // SUITE 1701 // MEMPHIS, TN 38137
EMAIL scorememphis@comcast.net
Website // Facebook // Twitter 

COMMUNITY

BROAD AVENUE ARTS DISTRICT

The Broad Avenue Arts District strives to foster the diversity of the arts, entrepreneurs, and cultures to steward economic and community vitality. From boxcars to bicycles, their district has always centered around movement. Be part of the journey.

Located in the historic commercial area of the Binghampton community of Memphis, the Broad Avenue Arts District is home to more than 70 unique local businesses, including boutique shops, art galleries, artist studios, services, restaurants and bars.

LOCATION 2542 BROAD AVE. // MEMPHIS, TN 38112
EMAIL hello@broadavearts.com
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

CREATIVE WORKS

Creative Works is non-profit focused on growing and activating the creative community in Memphis. They believe design accelerates change, and work to maximize creatives’ potential and their impact on the future of our city.

Programs: Annual Creative Works Conference, monthly creative community meet-ups, regular 101 foundational sessions with local creatives, regular talks and workshops with national creatives, film screenings, design gallery shows, youth design education programs, and creative professional development courses.

LOCATION 516 TENNESSEE ST. // MEMPHIS, TN 38103
EMAIL info@creativeworks.co
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

CROSSTOWN ARTS

Crosstown Arts is a contemporary arts organization dedicated to further cultivating the creative community in Memphis. They provide resources and create opportunities and experiences to inspire, support, and connect a diverse range of creative people, projects, and audiences. The spaces and programs they manage integrate varying components of exhibition, performance, production, education, and retail. They welcome anyone in the community to join any of their events or projects, regardless of prior experience or expertise with creative interests.

Programs to check out: Shared Art-Making Labs (forthcoming, 2018), Workshops, Open Crit (a monthly critique event where visual artists can bring their work in to get critical feedback), Artist Residency Program, exhibition opportunities and film series.

LOCATION 422–438 N. CLEVELAND ST.* // MEMPHIS, TN // 38104
PHONE 901.507.8030
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
* moving to Crosstown Concourse, 495 N. Watkins as of Fall 2017-Winter 2018

RISING TIDE SOCIETY TUESDAYS TOGETHER MEMPHIS CHAPTER

A community built by creatives for creatives. Rising Tide Society is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible education for small business owners. 

It is their hope to cultivate a society of creative entrepreneurs who believe in community over competition and have a desire to lead with love. From this dream, #TuesdaysTogether was born. A meet-up on the second Tuesday of every month where creatives & entrepreneurs gather together for coffee and conversation. An open space for idea sharing and goal building. Separated by distance, but beautifully united by a hashtag and a shared desire for community. Because isn’t that what we all deserve? A safe place to belong.  

EMAIL risingtidesocietymemphis@gmail.com
Website // Instagram

SOUTH MAIN ARTS DISTRICT

This one-square mile neighborhood - starting just one block south of Beale - holds some of Memphis’ greatest legends, architecture, art, innovation and characters.

It is full of DIY’ers and entrepreneurs, locally owned shops, chef-owned restaurants and organizations that support the arts. This was Memphis’ first suburb, first arts district, the hub of the world’s first modern grocery store, and where rock and roll was first played on the air, and today, the world comes to South Main to hear the story of the civil rights movement. Nearly $500 million in new development is under way in South Main, bringing in more residents, attractions, restaurants, shops and creative spirit.

LOCATION 531 S MAIN ST. // MEMPHIS, TN 38103
Website // Facebook // Twitter

EDUCATION

HUSTLE SERIES

Hustle: Professional Development for Artists is a free program offered by ArtsMemphis, Crosstown Arts and Urban Art Commission.

This monthly series provides creative individuals with information, resources and opportunities to support the development of their professional careers. Local and national guest speakers and panelists cover a wide range of topics and, regular networking events provide community building opportunities.

Topics include: Art & Social Justice, Applying for Grants & Residencies, Successful Studio Visits, Writing About Your Artwork, Pricing Your Artwork

LOCATION 430 N. CLEVELAND ST. // MEMPHIS, TN 38104
PHONE 901.507.8030
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

LUGAR FOUNDRY

The Lugar Foundry saw a great need in the art community for someone to listen and care as well as mechanically produce a three-dimensional piece of work. It quickly became obvious that the artistic spirit of many individuals needed an avenue for realization - therefore the growth of the foundry.

The education portion of their work has become a prominent feature of their business. They have become an art educational resource for the community - giving tours to schools, museum patrons, local art supporter groups, and offering their display area to local organizations for meetings and even once as host to a small opera.

LOCATION 11379 HWY 64 // ARLINGTON, TN 38002
PHONE 901.867.7006
Website // Facebook

MEMPHIS COLLEGE OF ART

Memphis College of Art is dedicated to providing the Maker community of Memphis with workshops and non-credit courses that expand the business and entrepreneurial skills for Memphis creatives. Courses, workshops, and master classes that are expressly designed for Makers are offered in several areas, such as business fundamentals, branding/design and craft skills. Memphis College of Art recognizes the value of the creative economy in Memphis and the importance of providing relevant programming to support Makers and their success. Committed to developing the vision of Memphis as a Maker hub, MCA can help those who are just starting out to those who are ready to take their business to the next level.

Memphis College of Art is dedicated to teaching the practice, history, and appreciation of visual art and design, while challenging all students to reach their highest individual potential. MCA is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and masters degrees and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). MCA has a robust curriculum for non degree-seeking students ranging from art classes for the community to professional certificate programs.

LOCATION 1930 POPLAR AVE. // MEMPHIS, TN 38104
EMAIL commed@mca.edu
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

METAL MUSEUM

The Metal Museum is the only institution in the United States devoted exclusively to the advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork. 

This is achieved through exhibitions, collections, conservation, restoration and consulting services, classes, internship opportunities, artist residencies and apprenticeships, research and on-site fabrication of artwork and architectural elements. 

The Metal Museum offers artists apprenticeships in both blacksmithing and foundry work. With unlimited access to the blacksmith shop and foundry, a chance to learn from established metalsmiths and exposure through annual exhibitions, the Metal Museum apprenticeship is a great opportunity to learn and grow in your career. Makers can also sell their products in the Metal Museum’s store. 

LOCATION 374 METAL MUSEUM DR. // MEMPHIS, TN 38106
PHONE 901.774.6380
EMAIL info@metalmuseum.org
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

RENAISSANCE BUSINESS CENTER

Today’s businesses are operating in a highly competitive environment.  Many small business owners need to develop the necessary skills and/or the management expertise to successfully compete and plan for the future growth of their company.

The City of Memphis Renaissance Business Center (RBC) is a One-Stop-Shop that provides entrepreneurs and small businesses in Memphis with training, one-on-one counseling and information to assist in their success. They have published a Business Resource Guide containing information on other business resource providers available to you, as well. 

LOCATION 555 BEALE ST. // MEMPHIS, TN 38103
PHONE 901.526.9300 
Website // Facebook // Twitter