The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s board of directors announced that the museum will have a new name, upon the opening of its riverfront location.
The museum will be known as the Memphis Art Museum in 2025.
“We have worked with the greater Memphis community for years on our vision for a new museum, and as it begins to take shape, we are proud to see that it will be a place for community and connectivity unlike anything in our city’s history,” said Museum Board president Carl Person. “It is truly Memphis’ art museum.”
During the new facility’s $180 million capital campaign, the board of directors offered a naming rights incentive for “lead gifts.” According to officials, Barbara and Pitt Hyde’s donations “earned them this right.”
“This is our city’s museum and should be known as such, now and forever,” said Barbara Hyde.
The museum was initially named in memory of Samuel H. Brooks in 1916 by his wife, Bessie Vance Brooks. The museum said that they plan to honor the original vision, as well as their “contributions to the founding collection” in the new facility.
“The Brooks name will remain attached to the collection – now one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Mid-South – that was assembled while the museum was located in Overton Park,” said the museum in a statement.
Mayor Jim Strickland said that the new name “reflects a dedication to welcome and celebrate everyone in our city.”
“While it has been my privilege to be involved with the Brooks for years, and the current building will maintain that name, I’m excited about the new museum’s place in our downtown’s future,” said Strickland.
Mayor-elect Paul Young also said that the Memphis Art Museum “will be a catalyst for the development of an even more culturally dynamic downtown landscape.”
