Created for emerging artists—Designed by emerging artists.

In the Fall semester of 2010, Michael Chisamore, Director of the Center for Sustainable Design at the University of Memphis, led his sophomore class in re-designing the fire station into MAP's Visual Art Center. Each student created their own unique designs, and at the end of the semester, the winning designer was announced: Roy Beauchamp. 

The class project was such a success that the University’s Department of Architecture decided to repeat the class experiment. So in the Spring semester of 2011, Michael led his graduate-level class in re-designing the Cossitt Library into MAP's Film, Music, Performing Arts and Dance Centers. Once again, each student created their own unique designs, and at the end of the semester, the winning designer was announced:

Mario Walker

To this day, Mario Walker—now a project manager at Self + Tucker Architects—serves as MAP’s principal designer. As the tagline states: MAP is not only created for emerging artists, but also designed by emerging artists. That’s the MAP spirit!


featured designs from MAP’s Master plan: