Memphis Brooks Museum of Art recently announced the opening of its new home — Memphis Art Museum (MAM), a 122,000-square-foot facility — landing in historic Downtown Memphis and the Bluff in December 2026.
Currently known as the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, it is both the oldest and largest art museum in Tennessee, with a collection of more than 10,000 works spanning from ancient to contemporary art.
Courtesy Memphis Art Museum
Memphis Art Museum Rendering (Riverside View)
One of the largest civic and cultural developments underway in the Mid-South, the state-of-the-art museum is tapped to be a must-visit spot along the Mississippi River for residents and tourists alike. With a transparent glass façade and street-level galleries connecting the museum and city aesthetics, MAM has labeled its new art museum as the city’s brand new “living room.”
Courtesy Memphis Art Museum
Memphis Art Museum Rendering (Community Courtyard View)
The new museum will expand the institution’s existing gallery space by 50 percent and provide 600 percent more art-filled free public space. The development will include some other notable features:
- 10,000-sq-ft community courtyard at street level
- 50,000-sq-ft rooftop garden — an “art park in the sky” with native plantings, sculptures, and sweeping river views
- Light-filled classrooms and education spaces for learning and art-making
- New, wider sidewalks to connect downtown to the riverfront
- Public plaza shared with Cossitt Library, and more
Memphis has a long history as a vibrant hub for art and culture," says Dr. Zoe Kahr, executive director of the Memphis Art Museum. "This expansive and innovative new campus will further reinforce the City’s status as a global cultural destination. We look forward to welcoming visitors to experience the very best of what Memphis has to offer, in 2026, and for years to come.”
Courtesy Memphis Art Museum
Memphis Art Museum Rendering (Rooftop Garden View)
The new design prioritizes accessibility to free public spaces, allowing visitors access to the mezzanine-level theater, galleries, educational areas, café, and store, with a direct connection to the Mississippi River waterfront. Additionally, the museum will accommodate over 400 community-based initiatives and be available for rentals.
To learn more about Memphis Art Museum’s future plans, visit brooksmuseum.org and memphisartmuseum.org.