Memphis hires DeMarcus Suggs as new ‘arts czar’
Officials create first office of arts and culture for city
The City of Memphis has hired DeMarcus Suggs for the new position of director of creative and cultural economy.
But if that title seems like a vague mouthful, perhaps a better one would be “Memphis arts czar.”
Because, in many ways, that’s the role Suggs had been hired to fill.
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“The easiest way to explain is that for the first time in the city’s history, we’ve created what is basically an Office of Arts and Culture. It’s basically what any city over a half million people has, and Memphis does not,” said Rachel Knox, senior program officer for arts and culture at the Hyde Foundation, which was involved in the hire. “It will allow us to be very intentional in helping us to increase the investment in the creative economy.”
As an example of what Suggs has been hired to address, Knox pointed ...
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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