By Christopher Blank - The Commercial Appeal -

Although Memphis is a majority-black city, African-Americans who are passionate about the arts too often find themselves in a minority. Opportunities and financial support for black artists and organizations lag far behind mainstream arts groups, many artists say.

These and other frustrations compelled theater producer and playwright Ekundayo Bandele to organize a free, daylong black arts symposium Saturday at the Hattiloo Theatre, 656 Marshall.

"What I want to do is spur African-Americans in this community to collaborate and meet other artists," he said. "We have to come together and define what a black arts community should look like."

In 2006, Bandele founded Hattiloo Theatre, a compact but prolific theater space that puts on at least eight shows a year and has since opened a second stage for children's theater. With a $400,000 annual budget, it has become the largest black-centric arts group in Memphis. Given the city's demographics, he feels that Hattiloo should have a larger arts constituency.

"Before Hattiloo, African (American) theater in this city was extremely small," Bandele said. "But now that we're here, we've got to become more recognizable. If a tourist from Atlanta or Nashville comes here and asks the average Memphian, 'Where can I go to see some black theater or dance?,' does the average person know where to send somebody?"

With tour groups from far-flung destinations daily pulling into the National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Bandele sees untapped audience potential for groups like the new professional dance company Collage Dance Collective, the children's theater group Watoto De Afrika or smaller organizations such as Bridging Souls Productions or the Bluff City Tri-Art Theatre Company.

Bandele encourages black artists to take advantage of resources such as the Evergreen Theatre or TheatreWorks -- spaces that can be used by novices looking to create a audience. He also knows that many black arts organizations lack mentors and business expertise.

"Many black artists tend to be very insular," he said. "They'll invite their friends to things when there's a whole community out there that they're not talking to."

Symposium topics include why art is important to this community, whether it's better to be a for-profit or a nonprofit organization and an open forum for people to share ideas for growth.

One discussion centers on the role of the church in the black arts community.

"In Memphis, you can't separate church from anything," he said. "A lot of churches have arts programs, theater programs and liturgical dancing. The churches are so large and encompassing. They're putting on their own big productions. But what about the possibility of collaborating with arts groups? Can churches take on the mantle of fostering an arts community?"

Moderators throughout the day include Pat Mitchell Worley of the Memphis Music Foundation, Rychetta Watkins of Rhodes College, musician Joyce Cobb and philanthropist Dara Davis, among others.

Bandele says the symposium is aimed not just at artists, but also at people who want a stake in the arts community. Attendees can come to all or part of the day's events.

"I got the idea for this after going to an ArtsMemphis meeting and there were only two representatives from black arts organizations there," Bandele said. "That told me we needed to get a bigger dialogue going, a spark. We're looking for solutions."

Hattiloo Black Arts Symposium

Saturday at the Hattiloo Theatre, 656 Marshall. The event is free, but seating capacity is limited, and RSVPs are encouraged. Call (901) 525-0009, or e-mail ferron@hattilootheatre.org.

Symposium schedule

10-10:45 a.m.: High Art & Community Art

11-11:40 a.m.: Importance of Art in a Multicultural Community

11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Art & Faith

1:30-2:10 p.m.: Nonprofit or For Profit?

2:25-3:05 p.m.: Resources Available to Artists

3:15-3:40 p.m.: The Black Arts-Economic Fuel

3:50-4:30 p.m.: Black Arts & Higher Education

4:40-5 p.m.: Ideas to Nurture Growth in the Black Arts Community