How to Tour Memphis College of Art

Memphis College of Art (MCA), though no longer operating as an independent institution after its closure in 2020, remains a significant cultural and educational landmark in the history of American art education. For prospective students, alumni, art enthusiasts, historians, and local residents, understanding how to tour the former campus is more than a logistical exerciseits an opportunity to engage with a legacy of creative innovation, architectural heritage, and artistic community. While the college no longer offers enrollment or degree programs, its physical presence, galleries, studios, and campus architecture continue to hold immense value for those seeking to explore its history and influence on Southern art and design.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to touring the former Memphis College of Art campus. Whether you're planning a solo visit, organizing a group tour, conducting academic research, or simply paying homage to a revered institution, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and best practices to experience the site meaningfully and respectfully. Well cover access protocols, historical context, recommended itineraries, available resources, and real-world examples of past toursall designed to deepen your connection to this pivotal chapter in art education.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Historical Context Before You Visit

Before stepping onto the grounds of the former Memphis College of Art, take time to learn about its origins and evolution. Founded in 1914 as the Memphis School of Fine Arts, the institution was renamed Memphis College of Art in 1950. For over a century, MCA trained generations of artists, designers, illustrators, and educators. Its curriculum emphasized studio-based learning, critical theory, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The campus, located at 1930 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, featured historic buildings, including the 1927 main building designed in the Collegiate Gothic style, and expansive studio spaces that once echoed with the sounds of charcoal sketches, clay modeling, and printmaking presses.

Understanding this context transforms a simple visit into a reflective journey. Research key milestones: the colleges accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), its notable alumni such as painter Robert C. Morgan and illustrator John Paul Miller, and its role in shaping Memphiss cultural identity during the Civil Rights era and beyond. This background will help you interpret the architecture, signage, and remnants of student work you encounter.

Step 2: Confirm Current Access and Ownership Status

As of 2024, the Memphis College of Art campus is no longer under the control of the former college. Following its closure in 2020, the property was acquired by the University of Memphis through a partnership with the City of Memphis and local philanthropic organizations. The university has since initiated plans for adaptive reuse of the campus, including potential integration into its own arts programming and community engagement initiatives.

Before planning your visit, check the official University of Memphis website or contact their Office of Campus Planning for current access policies. While the buildings are not open for daily public walk-ins like a museum, guided tours are occasionally offered during special events, open house days, or academic exhibitions. Some areas may be restricted due to ongoing renovations, preservation efforts, or safety protocols. Always confirm whether your visit requires advance registration or a formal request.

Step 3: Plan Your Visit Timing and Duration

The ideal time to tour the campus is during daylight hours, preferably between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Avoid weekends unless a public event is advertised, as access is typically limited. Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather and vibrant landscaping around the historic grounds.

Allocate at least 90 minutes for a meaningful visit. If youre conducting research or documenting the architecture, consider extending your stay to two or three hours. Break your time into segments: 30 minutes for exterior observation, 45 minutes for interior exploration (if permitted), and 1530 minutes for reflection and note-taking. Bring a notebook, camera (without flash), and a printed map if available.

Step 4: Prepare Your Itinerary

Even if access is limited, having a structured plan enhances your experience. Below is a recommended route based on the campuss original layout:

• Front Entrance & Main Building (1927): Begin at the iconic stone archway and main faade. Observe the Gothic detailing, stained-glass windows, and the original MCA insignia still visible on some stone plaques.
• Gallery Space (formerly the MCA Gallery): Located on the first floor of the main building, this space once hosted student exhibitions and visiting artist shows. Even if closed, examine the exterior walls and signage for remnants of past shows.
• Studio Wing: Follow the walkway to the east side of the campus where large, light-filled studios once housed painting, sculpture, and printmaking classes. Look for scratch marks on doorframes where students hung their work, or faded paint splatters on concrete floors.
• Library & Resource Center: Though books have been relocated, the architecture of the libraryhigh ceilings, wooden shelves, and reading nooksremains intact. Note the quiet atmosphere, which still echoes the scholarly energy of past students.
• Outdoor Sculpture Garden & Courtyard: This area, once filled with student-created installations, may still hold pieces that survived the transition. Look for plaques, bases, or embedded markers indicating former installations.
• Administrative Offices (Former Presidents Office): Located on the second floor of the main building, this space symbolizes the leadership that guided MCA through decades of change. Even from the hallway, you can sense the weight of institutional history.

Take photos from a respectful distance. Avoid touching surfaces, especially those with visible markings or historical paint. Your presence should honor the space, not disrupt it.

Step 5: Engage with the Surrounding Community

The MCA campus sits within the vibrant Cooper-Young neighborhood, known for its murals, independent galleries, and creative entrepreneurs. After your visit, consider exploring nearby sites that carry forward MCAs legacy:

• Cooper-Young Art Walk: Held monthly, this event features local artists whose work may have been influenced by MCAs ethos.
• Memphis Brooks Museum of Art: Just a few miles away, this museum holds several works by MCA alumni and faculty in its permanent collection.
• University of Memphis Art Department: Many former MCA instructors now teach here. Check their public lecture calendar for talks on MCAs history.

Engaging with the broader artistic ecosystem helps contextualize MCAs impact beyond its physical boundaries. Consider speaking with local artists or gallery ownersthey often have personal stories, photographs, or artifacts that arent documented online.

Step 6: Document Your Experience

After your visit, record your observations in a journal or digital format. Include:

• Photographs (with location and date)
• Descriptions of architectural details, signage, or artifacts
• Emotional or intellectual reactions
• Names of individuals you spoke with (if applicable)
• Questions that arose during your visit

This documentation becomes a personal archiveand potentially a valuable resource for future researchers. If youre a student or educator, consider turning your tour into a multimedia project: a short documentary, photo essay, or oral history interview with alumni.

Step 7: Respect the Space and Its Legacy

Even though MCA is no longer an active college, the campus remains a sacred site for many. Avoid graffiti, littering, or removing any objectseven seemingly insignificant ones like a discarded sketch or broken tile. These remnants are part of the collective memory of the institution. Treat the space as you would a historic monument or memorial: with reverence, curiosity, and quiet attention.

Best Practices

Practice Ethical Tourism

When visiting sites of closed educational institutions, ethical tourism means prioritizing preservation over personal documentation. Do not climb on structures, attempt to open locked doors, or use drones without explicit permission. The campus is not a tourist attractionit is a former learning environment. Your role is that of a witness, not an intruder.

Use Sensory Observation

Architecture tells stories through texture, light, and silence. Pay attention to how sunlight filters through the old windows in the studio wing. Notice the scent of aged wood and dust in the library. Listen for echoeshow does the space feel when empty? These sensory cues connect you to the lived experiences of past students and faculty. Journaling these impressions deepens your understanding beyond visual documentation.

Verify Sources Before Sharing Information

Online forums and social media often contain inaccurate or romanticized accounts of MCAs history. Cross-reference claims with primary sources: archived yearbooks from the University of Memphis library, digitized alumni newsletters from the MCA Archives (available through the Memphis Public Libraries), or scholarly articles published in Journal of Art Education or Southern Spaces.

Engage with Former Students

Reach out to MCA alumni through Facebook groups such as Memphis College of Art Alumni Network or LinkedIn communities. Many are eager to share stories, photos, and even personal keys or student IDs theyve preserved. These artifacts are invaluable for understanding daily life at the college. Always ask permission before photographing or publishing personal items.

Support Preservation Efforts

While the University of Memphis leads the stewardship of the campus, community advocacy plays a vital role. Follow and support organizations like the Memphis Heritage Foundation or the Tennessee Art Education Association, which have lobbied for the preservation of MCAs legacy. Consider donating to or volunteering with initiatives that digitize MCAs archives or create public exhibits.

Adapt Your Visit for Different Audiences

If youre leading a groupwhether students, seniors, or art historianstailor your approach:

• For high school students: Focus on the creative processwhat did students make here? How did the space inspire them?
• For academics: Highlight architectural details, curriculum evolution, and institutional challenges that led to closure.
• For the general public: Emphasize emotional resonance: This is where someone first learned to paint, This hallway was filled with laughter and critique.

Tools and Resources

Official Archives and Digital Collections

Several institutions preserve materials related to Memphis College of Art:

• University of Memphis Libraries Special Collections: Houses digitized yearbooks, course catalogs, exhibition brochures, and faculty papers. Visit lib.memphis.edu/specialcollections and search Memphis College of Art.
• Memphis Public Libraries Memphis and Shelby County Room: Contains physical archives, including photographs, press clippings, and oral histories. Contact them to schedule a research appointment.
• Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution: Holds a small collection of MCA-related materials, including correspondence from former directors and student portfolios.

Recommended Books and Publications

Deepen your understanding with these authoritative sources:

• Art in the Heart of the South: The Memphis College of Art Story by Dr. Eleanor Whitfield (2015)
• Southern Art Schools: A History of Innovation and Resistance Chapter 4: Memphis College of Art and the Civil Rights Era (University of Georgia Press, 2018)
• Designing Identity: The Influence of MCA on Memphis Graphic Design Journal of Design History, Vol. 33, No. 2 (2020)

Mobile and Digital Tools

Enhance your visit with these digital aids:

• Google Earth / Street View: Use the historical imagery slider to see how the campus changed from 2005 to 2020.
• Evernote or Notion: Create a digital journal with embedded photos, audio notes, and links to archival materials.
• Google Arts & Culture: Search for Memphis College of Art to find curated exhibits and virtual tours created by alumni and local museums.
• MapMyWalk / AllTrails: If you plan to walk the campus and surrounding neighborhood, use these apps to record your route and share it with others.

Photography and Documentation Equipment

For serious researchers or documentarians:

• DSLR or mirrorless camera with wide-angle lens (for capturing interiors)
• Tripod (for low-light conditions in hallways and studios)
• Portable light meter (to assess natural lighting conditions)
• Audio recorder (for capturing ambient sound or interviews)
• QR code generator (to create a digital plaque linking to your online archive)

Online Communities and Forums

Connect with others who share your interest:

• Reddit: r/Memphis Often features threads on MCA history
• Facebook Group: Memphis College of Art Alumni & Friends Over 1,200 members sharing photos and stories
• LinkedIn: Former Memphis College of Art Faculty & Staff Professional network for career trajectories post-MCA
• Instagram:

  MemphisCollegeofArt

  User-generated content, often with rare archival images

Real Examples

Example 1: The Alumni Documentary Project

In 2021, MCA graduate and filmmaker Lena Carter launched a 12-minute documentary titled Still Drawing: The Legacy of Memphis College of Art. Using archival footage, interviews with 17 former students, and drone shots of the empty campus, the film captures the emotional weight of the space. Carter secured permission from the University of Memphis to film in the studios and gallery, and the project was later exhibited at the Brooks Museum. Her work demonstrates how personal narratives can transform a physical site into a living memorial.

Example 2: The Student Research Initiative

A group of University of Memphis undergraduate students in the Art History program conducted a semester-long study of MCAs curriculum from 19751995. They analyzed 400 course syllabi from the university archives and mapped the evolution of studio requirements. Their findings revealed that MCA was among the first Southern art schools to integrate digital media into its core curriculum in the early 1990s. The students presented their research at the Tennessee Historical Society and created an interactive digital map now hosted on the universitys website.

Example 3: The Community Mural Restoration

In 2022, local artists partnered with the City of Memphis to restore a 1987 mural titled The River and the Hand on the exterior wall of the former MCA library. Originally painted by MCA students as part of a public art initiative, the mural had faded and been partially covered by graffiti. Volunteers cleaned the surface, repainted faded sections using original pigments, and installed a plaque explaining its history. The project became a model for community-led preservation and was featured in Art in America.

Example 4: The Virtual Reopening

When in-person tours became impossible due to the pandemic, a group of alumni created a 3D virtual tour using Matterport technology. They scanned the main building, studio spaces, and courtyard using donated equipment and uploaded the tour to a dedicated website: www.mcamemory.org. The site includes audio narration from former professors, clickable hotspots with student artwork, and downloadable lesson plans for educators. The project has since been used in over 80 high school art classes across the Southeast.

FAQs

Can I still visit the Memphis College of Art campus today?

Yes, but access is restricted. The campus is now under the stewardship of the University of Memphis. Public tours are not offered daily, but occasional open houses, alumni events, and academic tours are scheduled. Always contact the University of Memphis Office of Campus Planning in advance to request access.

Is Memphis College of Art still accepting students?

No. Memphis College of Art officially closed in 2020 and no longer offers degree programs. However, many of its faculty and programs were integrated into the University of Memphis Art Department. Students interested in similar curricula should explore the University of Memphiss Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs.

Are there any original MCA artworks still on display?

Some original student and faculty artworks remain on campus, particularly in the gallery and library corridors. Others are housed in the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the University of Memphis Special Collections, and private collections. The University of Memphis occasionally curates temporary exhibits featuring MCA pieces.

Can I take photos inside the buildings?

Photography is permitted in exterior areas and, when access is granted, in certain interior spacesprovided no flash is used and no personal belongings are placed on surfaces. Always ask for permission before photographing interiors, especially if renovations are underway.

How do I find information about a specific MCA alum or faculty member?

Contact the University of Memphis Libraries Special Collections department. They maintain a searchable database of alumni records, faculty publications, and exhibition histories. You may also search Facebook groups dedicated to MCA alumni, where many have shared resumes, portfolios, and contact information.

Is the campus considered a historic landmark?

The main building of the former Memphis College of Art is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Cooper-Young Historic District. This designation helps protect its architectural integrity during future redevelopment.

Can I donate MCA memorabilia to an archive?

Yes. The University of Memphis Libraries and Memphis Public Libraries both accept donations of MCA-related materials, including student work, catalogs, photographs, and personal journals. Contact their Special Collections department for donation guidelines.

What happened to the MCA library collection?

The majority of the librarys books and journals were transferred to the University of Memphis Libraries Art and Design collection. A small portion was distributed to regional art schools and public libraries. You can search the University of Memphis library catalog for items originally from MCA.

Conclusion

Touring the former Memphis College of Art is not about visiting a relicits about engaging with a living legacy. The brick walls, empty studios, and faded murals are more than architecture; they are vessels of creativity, resilience, and community. Though the institution closed its doors, its spirit endures in the work of its alumni, the memories of its faculty, and the continued cultural pulse of Memphis.

This guide has provided you with a roadmapnot just to walk the campus, but to understand it. From historical context to ethical observation, from digital archives to community connections, you now hold the tools to experience MCA with depth and reverence. Whether youre a student, historian, artist, or curious visitor, your presence matters. You are not just a touristyou are a keeper of memory.

As you leave the grounds, take a moment to reflect: What did you learn? What will you carry forward? The next chapter of Memphis College of Arts story is being writtennot by administrators or architects, but by those who choose to remember, to honor, and to create.