Back to All Events

Madison Avenue Asphalt Design Project

Calling Memphis Artists!

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative is a community development organization working with anchor institutions to strengthen the connections, communities and campuses in the District so that they are more vibrant, prosperous, and equitable. 

Through the Quality Public Realm program, MMDC and its partners are focused on streetscape improvements that create a safer and more attractive environment for everyone who visits, lives, works, or studies in the District whether they get here by bike, on foot, using public transit, or driving. The Madison Avenue Streetscape project follows the successful redesign of several phases of streetscape projects in the Medical District, including Marshall and Monroe, Manassas Street, and MLK Avenue. 

Madison Avenue will be repaved by the City of Memphis in the next two years, and MMDC is partnering with the City on a redesign of the street, which will include artistic treatments on designated intersections. The portion of the street from Pauline St. to Raine Pl. is slated for redesign beginning fall of 2024.

Two intersections along Madison Avenue, (1) Madison and Cleveland and (2) Madison and Montgomery, are part of the City’s Accelerate Memphis portfolio. These two sections of the corridor are on an accelerated timeline for implementation and are expected to be implemented by end of year 2023. 

MMDC is currently accepting applications to submit an asphalt art design proposal for the linked intersections (highlighted in tan) along Madison Ave. from Pauline St. to Raine Pl. These street designs are subject to change pending review by City Engineering. 

Asphalt art design proposals should allude to colors and branding evidenced in MMDC’s Streetscape Lookbook and reflect the surrounding businesses, institutions, and places along Madison Ave. Proposals can include patterns, symbols, or shapes that create a sense of place, establish vibrancy along the street, and enhance intersection visibility.

To be considered, we ask Memphis creatives to submit their qualifications via a statement of interest, resume and samples of their work. 

Finalists will receive a $400 design honoraria to develop asphalt art concepts along Madison Avenue from Pauline St. to Raine Pl. The selected artist will receive a total of $6,000 upon completion of full design.

Learn more here,