MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Two must-haves of the Memphis fine art scene received a generous donation from billionaire novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The Memphis Music Initiative and the Collage Dance Collective aim to uplift young artists and create more opportunities for people of color.

RELATED: MacKenzie Scott targets ‘wealth gap’ with $ 2.74 billion in charitable giving

Collage Dance Collage received $ 3 million from Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

“I was in total disbelief. It’s not every day that you get this type of call, ”said studio executive director Marcellus Harper. “To think that we are talking about our work and that these conversations have reached MacKenzie Scott, it’s amazing.

Memphis Music Initiative is the second association to receive a check.

Executive director Amber Hamilton said the organization was keeping the exact amount confidential, but said it was a “significant seven-figure investment.”

“I almost fell off my chair,” she said. “I was just stunned by the magnitude of the gift, but it was such a blessing.”

She said they were figuring out how to spend the money.

Hamilton and Harper both said the unexpected gift would help them carry out their missions, especially at a time when access to the arts is so important.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for adults and young people,” said Harper. “They need outlets to talk about how they feel and to be able to create.”

MacKenzie Scott announced on June 15 that she had donated $ 2.7 billion to 286 nonprofits.

This is his third round of unsolicited donations to non-profit organizations.

© 2021 Cox Media Group