South Main has become a little bit less of an “arts district” in recent years, as galleries have been closed and have been replaced by retail shops. However, a new neighbor with a big interest in the arts may be soon to arrive.
According to the Memphis Business Journal, Memphis College of Art will go before the Center City Development Corp. next month to request financial incentives toward the purchase of a $2.9 million building at 477 S. Main. It will open a graduate school in that 5-story space, serving 100 students, with retail space on the first floor. If the CCDC approves MCA’s proposal, construction could begin as early next month and finish by the fall.