Memphis Brooks Museum Of Art

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art stands as one of the city’s most treasured cultural institutions, deeply rooted in history while continually embracing growth and innovation. Located in the heart of Overton Park, the museum is more than a gallery space—it is a cultural hub where art, community, and learning converge. Its expansive facility features 29 galleries, a research library, art classrooms, a print study room, and a professional auditorium, creating an environment where education and creativity thrive.

The museum owes its origins to the generosity of Bessie Vance Brooks, who in 1913 donated funds to honor her late husband, Samuel Hamilton Brooks. Three years later, the Brooks Memorial Art Gallery opened its doors in a Beaux-Arts style building designed by James Gamble Rogers and built from Georgian marble. Since then, the museum has undergone several expansions, each reflecting the community’s commitment to supporting the arts. A pivotal moment came in 1955, when a major addition allowed the museum to accept a significant gift from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Later expansions in 1973 and 1989 brought new galleries and modern amenities, culminating in today’s 86,000-square-foot museum housing more than 10,000 works of art.

The Brooks is home to a rich collection spanning centuries and continents, from European masterpieces to American modernism, contemporary works, and decorative arts. Alongside permanent holdings, the museum hosts rotating exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, and community programs that ensure visitors encounter both global perspectives and local voices.

Operating largely through the generosity of donors and members, the museum continues to flourish as a private institution while retaining strong ties to the city of Memphis. Fulfilling the vision of its founder, the Brooks remains a place of enjoyment, inspiration, and learning, carrying forward its legacy as a beacon of art for all.