Young Arts Patrons unveiled its new name to Young Patron members, community partners, sponsors, and more. And we now want to share it with you: Hi! We are 3RDSPACE.
We believe the name change is an important reflection of our growth as an organization. Our mission from the beginning has been to move the arts in Memphis forward. We wanted to take an arts culture scene that seemed to be complex and exclusive, and transform it into a diverse, inclusive, engaging experience. And quite frankly, we wanted it to reflect the demographic of our city and equity for creative producers. And we did that...
But we saw more gaps in our arts and culture community. Gaps in resources and support that stopped artists from sustaining. Gaps that stopped our city from thriving in its highest glory. Our new name represents our ambitious step in being the organization that fills those gaps in the arts ecosystem.
3RDSPACE pronounced third space is a socio-cultural term that designates a communal space, as distinct from the home (first space) or work (second space). 3RDSPACE is where any individual can experience a transformative sense of self, identity, and relationship to others. We believe in uplifting the power of arts as the city's third space. (We also have a mission and goals for you to see, right here.)
3RDSPACE supports community, creativity, innovation, and civic pride. We are dedicated to serving the cultural producers in and across the disciplines of Design, Dance, Film, Media, Music, Theater & Performance, Traditional Arts, Visual Art, and Writing as they create ambitious and innovative work that reflects, engages, and impacts the public.
We're also an organization that was founded by young patrons, those that saw the importance of the arts in cities. Thriving arts and culture, after all, is what has kept and drawn many of us to Memphis.
So, to the arts. We thank you and we believe in what you do in the city. It takes imagination. It takes guts. Your ingenuity and boldness are an inspiration to us.
And here’s to you—
Please donate, let's build 3RDSPACE together.
Thank you,
Whitney Hardy
Board of Directors
Claire Brulatour, Chair
Emily Oppenheimer
Denise Parnell
Mary Webster