After six years of planning and construction, Memphis's highly anticipated new art museum is taking shape in downtown, offering a dramatic expansion that promises to transform the city's cultural landscape. The Memphis Art Museum (MAM), with an initial price tag of $180 million, is scheduled to open in December 2026 and will replace the current Brooks Museum of Art in Overton Park.
The impressive funding for this ambitious project comes from multiple sources, including $30 million from the City of Memphis, $12 million from the State of Tennessee, and a substantial $40 million donation from the Hyde Foundation. Additional private donations continue to flow in as the final cost is expected to exceed the initial budget, though exact figures remain undetermined.
Located at the intersection of Front Street and Union Avenue, where Memphis's old fire headquarters once stood, the new facility boasts 122,000 square feet of space. This represents a 50% increase in gallery space compared to the current Brooks Museum, with all exhibitions housed on a single level for improved accessibility. "It's double height," explains Jeff Rhodin, Chief Revenue Officer for MAM, pointing to the soaring 18-foot ceilings that will house the galleries.
The expanded capacity will dramatically increase the museum's exhibition capabilities. While the current Brooks Museum can host four exhibitions simultaneously, the new facility will accommodate at least 15 exhibits. This expansion will allow curators to display significantly more pieces from MAM's impressive collection of 10,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years of art and culture, creating a major draw for both locals and tourists.
"We hope that folks come and park at the museum and have an art experience, go have lunch with one of our restaurant partners downtown, go check out the civil rights museum, go see a show at the Orpheum, and then come back," Rhodin said during a hard hat tour. "We want it to be a more holistic experience."
The architectural design, created by internationally renowned firm Herzog and de Meuron in collaboration with local architecture firm Archimania, emphasizes community engagement and accessibility. The front facade features a striking glass-enclosed design with expansive 30-foot-wide sidewalks, while the rear of the building offers spectacular views of the Mississippi River from multiple floors.
One of the museum's most remarkable features is its 50,000-square-foot rooftop sculpture garden, which Rhodin describes as "an art garden in the sky." This elevated outdoor space will house sculptures and plantings alongside a quarter-mile walking track, providing visitors with both artistic and recreational opportunities while offering panoramic views of the city and river.
The ground level features an equally impressive community courtyard equivalent in size to two NBA basketball courts. This expansive space will host large-scale public events such as Día de los Muertos celebrations and Chalkfest, and will remain free and open to the public during museum hours. The facility also includes 600 additional square feet of art-filled public space.
Visitors will also enjoy the River Steps, part of a mini-amphitheater that leads to the River Window, providing another stunning vantage point for Mississippi River views. The museum will house a state-of-the-art auditorium equipped with advanced recording and broadcasting technology, positioning it as a venue for various multimedia presentations and events.
Practical amenities include a comprehensive gift shop, along with a restaurant and café that will operate independently from the museum with their own entrance, allowing access even when the museum is closed. The facility addresses current limitations by doubling the educational spaces, enabling MAM staff to teach 30,000 children annually, a significant increase from the current capacity of 20,000 students at the Brooks Museum.
Parking will be available with 150 spots located beneath the museum, though officials have not yet announced pricing details. The new facility will also resolve ongoing challenges with the current Brooks Museum, including climate control and water leakage issues that have complicated art lending agreements.
"The galleries will speak for themselves," Rhodin emphasized. "The art experience here is going to be incredible!" The improved environmental controls will make MAM a more attractive venue for art lenders who have previously been concerned about potential damage to valuable collections.
The museum's website describes the facility as Memphis's "living room," designed to serve as the ultimate community meeting space. This vision reflects the collaborative effort between the international design team and local architects to create a space that truly serves the Memphis community while showcasing world-class art.
As construction continues toward the December 2026 opening, questions remain about the future of the historic Brooks Museum building in Midtown. When asked about plans for the current facility, MAM officials directed inquiries to Mayor Paul Young's administration, though city officials had not responded by press time. The transition marks a significant moment in Memphis's cultural history, representing both the preservation of the city's artistic heritage and its bold step into a new era of cultural prominence.
