Students, employees, residents, and others in Memphis’ Medical District looking to organize public events in the area can now apply for grant funds to do so.
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) has announced a new events grant program, through which they’re offering grants of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 to be used to activate spaces in the district through citizen-produced public events. To qualify for grant funding, the events must “strengthen community identity, promote neighborhood assets, and connect people to places, businesses, or other people across the district.”
“We are excited to encourage individuals who have innovative ideas that will draw people, activity, and attention to the Memphis Medical District,” said Dr. Ken Brown, executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and an MMDC board member. “UTHSC is proud to support this program as a way to showcase some of the district’s great assets, talent, and investments.”
MMDC is led by Tommy Pacello, who used to organize such events — like city’s MEMFix series — when he worked on the Mayor’s Innovation Delivery Team. The MEMFix event, and similar such “previtalization” efforts, have been credited with helping bring new life into Crosstown and the Broad Avenue Arts District.
Grants will be awarded to applicants on a rolling basis beginning August 1st until the funds are depleted. Applications (and a map of district boundaries) are available on the MMDC website or at the MMDC office at 656 Madison.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
