Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc.

Hello, Tennessee locals! When you're searching for a vital community hub that seamlessly blends arts education with essential childcare services and community development, the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc. (MBAA), also known as the FireHouse Community Arts Center, stands as a true cornerstone in Memphis. This long-standing organization has dedicated itself to enriching the lives of individuals and families through the transformative power of African American arts, literature, and culture. While it functions as a comprehensive arts center, it also proudly offers dedicated childcare programs, making it a unique and invaluable resource for parents in the area.

Established in 1982, MBAA has a rich history of celebrating and nurturing African American cultural heritage, recognizing its profound impact on human, community, and economic development throughout the Greater Mid-South. Its mission is to "build the community through the arts," and it achieves this by providing a multi-disciplinary arts mecca where Memphians and visitors can grow, have fun, and creatively profit. What truly sets MBAA apart is its holistic approach. Beyond inspiring artistic expression, MBAA understands the fundamental needs of families, which led to the integration of childcare services designed to provide a warm, home-like atmosphere where every child is valued, nurtured, and supported. This blend of cultural enrichment and practical family support truly makes the Memphis Black Arts Alliance an exceptional and essential part of the Memphis community, dedicated to fostering appreciation of diversity within and outside the Black community.

Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc. is centrally located at 985 S Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106, USA. This address places it firmly in South Memphis, specifically within the historic Soulsville USA gateway, an area rich in cultural significance and community spirit. Its prominent location on S Bellevue Boulevard ensures excellent visibility and accessibility for residents across Memphis and the surrounding areas within Tennessee. Being on a major thoroughfare makes the center straightforward to find, whether you're traveling from different neighborhoods, schools, or other local landmarks.

The accessibility of MBAA's location is a significant advantage for local Tennessee users. Its position in Soulsville USA connects it to a vibrant cultural landscape, making it a natural hub for arts and community activities. While specific public transportation routes would depend on Memphis's transit system, the address itself speaks to a location designed for ease of access by personal vehicle, with parking likely available to accommodate visitors during various programs and events. The fact that it is housed in a renovated 1910 historic city fire station, now known as the FireHouse Community Arts Center, adds a unique and inviting character to the location. This strategic and easily reachable presence in Memphis allows MBAA to serve a broad spectrum of the community, furthering its mission of arts education and community development for all who seek its resources in Tennessee.

Services Offered:

• Daycare and Childcare Programs:
  • Infant-care programs.
  • Toddler daycare programs (including openings for 2-year-olds).
  • Pre-school programs.
  • PreK programs.
  • Dedicated to providing a warm, home-like atmosphere where children are valued, nurtured, and supported.
  • Comprehensive learning experiences that blend structured activities with creative play.
  • Accepts CCAP vouchers and/or offers low-income daycare assistance programs (contact for more info).
  • Operating hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (contact for evening/weekend availability).
  • Inclusion of education and childcare enrichment programs, potentially including STEM activities.
• FireHouse Community Arts Academy:
  • Year-round group and private classes for all ages in dance, music, theater, visual, and literary arts.
  • Arts-A-FireWORKS Afterschool Program: Youth development based on core competencies, with a focus on educational and career/arts.
  • FireHouse ArtsREACH: Off-site instruction, workshops, and performances at schools, daycares, businesses, agencies, and community centers.
• Performing Arts Offerings:
  • The FireHouse Little Theater and MBAA Presents: Productions of plays by local and national playwrights addressing life in the black community.
  • Recitals, concerts, and special performances by students, faculty, affiliate arts groups, and local talent.
  • Jazz-A-F!RE Monthly Performance Series: Features and honors Memphis Living Legends.
  • Arts-A-Fire Youth Theater Troupe: A company of young people (ages 7-17) creating and performing a season of plays.
• Visual Arts:
  • The FireHouse Art Gallery: Venue for artists of African descent, promoting unique works.
• Community Engagement & Development:
  • A Family Affair: Monthly multidisciplinary, interactive events for parents and children to bond creatively.
  • Fannie Lou Hammer Community Garden: Open green space for youth environmental education and community activity.
  • Referral service for visual artists, musicians, singers, actors, and production personnel.
  • Memphis Black Artist Network (MemBAN): Supports 43 arts organizations of color and hundreds of independent artists, providing artistic and professional development.
  • Mentoring and support for artists of color.
  • Advocacy for increased community support for the arts.

Features / Highlights:

• A 42-year cultural arts legacy dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and advancing African American arts, literature, and culture.
• Headquartered in the historic FireHouse Community Arts Center (a renovated 1910 fire station).
• Known for providing a warm, home-like, and nurturing atmosphere in its childcare programs.
• Daycare programs are designed to foster curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking in children.
• Has trained over 43,500 youth artists and employed over 4,200 artists since 1982.
• Engaged over 74,000 patrons and guests.
• Recognized as one of the top-rated daycares in Memphis (according to Daycare.com).
• Offers comprehensive and culturally inspired arts education for all ages.
• Primary operating programs include the FireHouse Community Arts Academy and Jazz-A-F!RE.
• Committed to building community through the arts, instilling pride, inspiring action, and promoting diversity.
• Led by Executive Director Lar'Juanette Williams, an award-winning artist and administrator.
• A "true Memphis jewel" and a "South Memphis community staple that sits in the Soulsville USA gateway."
• One of the first creative incubators for Black artists in Tennessee and the city's first Black arts incubator and network.

Contact Information:

Address: 985 S Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106, USA

Phone: (901) 948-9522

Mobile Phone: +1 901-948-9522

In conclusion, the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc. (MBAA) is an exceptional and multifaceted organization that serves as a vital cornerstone for locals in Tennessee, particularly within the Memphis area. What makes this "child care agency" (and much more) so suitable for the local community is its unique dual commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive arts education alongside essential, nurturing childcare services. For parents, the daycare programs offer a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment where children are not just cared for but also actively engaged in learning and development, blending structured activities with creative play. The availability of CCAP vouchers and low-income assistance further underscores its dedication to accessibility for all families.

Beyond childcare, MBAA's extensive FireHouse Community Arts Academy offers invaluable opportunities for all ages to engage with dance, music, theater, and visual arts, fostering talent and cultural appreciation. Its rich 42-year legacy and status as the city's first Black arts incubator highlight its profound impact on preserving and advancing African American arts and culture. Located centrally in the historic Soulsville USA gateway, MBAA is easily accessible for residents across Memphis. It's a place where children can thrive in a home-like daycare setting, where aspiring artists can hone their craft, and where the entire community can come together to celebrate culture and foster positive growth. The Memphis Black Arts Alliance is truly a jewel, dedicated to building a stronger, more creative, and equitable community for all of Tennessee.

Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc.

985 S Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106, USA