Ed. Note: 3RDSPACE, a Memphis arts advocacy group, will host the first Memphis Art & Design Week this October, and this week announced their schedule for more than 50 virtual events during that week. Contributor Veena has a run-down on what this week means for Memphis artists and how you can support them.

MAD Week Goes Virtual For 2020

In an ever-changing world, 3RDSPACE had to get creative when it came to hosting this year’s inaugural Memphis Art & Design Week. Initially conceptualized as a weeklong, in-person event set for July, 3RDSPACE will now host MAD Week October 3-10, 2020 entirely online.

3RDSPACE'S Executive Director Whitney Hardy says the new virtual approach means that more people than ever—that's you, dear reader—can access the artists, workshops, and speakers during Memphis Art & Design Week.

Here are all the links you need:

Memphis Art & Design Week Website, Instagram, and Facebook Page
3RDSPACEWebsite, Instagram, and Facebook Page
Memphis Art & Design Week Tickets (more info on that below)
Memphis Art & Design Week Schedule
Memphis Art & Design Week Artists, Panelists, and Speakers

What is MAD Week?

This year, from October 3-10, Memphis Art & Design Week attendees from all over the world can access art and ideas in a way unlike any other. You can:

• purchase art through an online expo
• take virtual studio tours
• learn about artists’ creative processes
• listen in to exciting speakers 

One of the MAD Week speakers giving a virtual talk is designer Raquel Breternitz, former Design Director for Elizabeth Warren's campaign for President. She'll talk about her passion for inclusion, accessibility, and keeping tech human— and what it is like to be a creative in the world of politics.

Buy Memphis Art Online

It's a whole entire bummer that we can't do our holiday and fall shopping at our usual fun markets and festivals, but Memphis Art & Design Week has partnered with Arrow Creative for a Maker Expo online so you can shop from your couch!

This is for ticket holders only.

Memphis Maker Expo: October 8-10, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Outdoor Art and T-Shirts

For those of us in Memphis, there will also be outdoor activations around town through partnerships with Archimania, the Metal Museum, Memphis River Parks Partnership, Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Arrow Creative, and many more.

Through a collaboration with the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance, patrons will have exclusive access to purchase t-shirts supporting local businesses that have been economically impacted this year. Shirts will be designed by local creatives, including crowd favorite ToonkyBerry among others.

Meet and Follow Local Artists

All attendees and supporters will be able to connect directly with artists through the Pollinate app. Pollinate, created by Memphis native Nam Le, is curating a directory of all the artists featured at MAD Week so that community members can engage with artists and have access to their work and events throughout the week and beyond.

Nam saw a need for a dedicated platform to allow artists to engage with audience members and is excited to bring that social experience to MAD Week.

How Can I Attend?

There are three options:

• The $25 ticket opts you in to email reminders with a daily schedule of events as well as provide access to the Thursday-Saturday virtual events (hosted on the HOPIN platform).*
• VIP tickets available for $100. These allow all the same perks as the $25 tier and come with the addition of a limited-edition tote bag and a special release item (I can’t tell you what it is, but it sounds super cool!).
• 100 community tickets available for those who want to attend but can’t afford the ticket. In exchange for the free admission, 3RDSPACE is asking community ticket holders to help spread the word about the event through their networks and social media feeds.

*Ed. Note: We used the HOPIN website/platform for Exposure 0n 901 Day and it was awesome.

Why Get Participate in Memphis Art & Design Week?

Artists and creatives need our support more than ever right now, and MAD Week is a great opportunity to engage with artists, learn from them, and discover new and creative ways to support the art community both in Memphis and across the country. Get your tickets today, and I will see you on October 3!

Go There:

Memphis Art & Design Week

October 3-10, 2020

$25 General Admission - includes daily schedule notifications and access to weekend events

$100 VIP Ticket - 100 available; includes limited-edition tote bag and special release item

Community Ticket - 100 available; for those who cannot afford general admission

Have questions or want to volunteer your time leading up to or during MAD Week? Email [email protected]