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Arts Commission News

MAC Announces fY2011 Grants

DATE:         July 6, 2010  

CONTACT:    Susan Dobbs, Public Relations Director

601/359-6031, sdobbs@arts.state.ms.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

JACKSON—The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) has granted $1.64 million in funding to artists and arts programs across the state for fiscal year 2011, reflecting a $140,000 increase from last fiscal year.   The agency’s goal is to continually increase the funds granted to artists and arts organizations across the state in order to serve a greater number of Mississippians.

These funds were awarded in 46 Mississippi counties, ranging from operating support for museums and community arts centers to small grants that assist schools with bringing in guest artists. The grants will be awarded to 154 different organizations and schools and 87 individual artists. 

“It has been the agency’s strategic goal to steadily increase grant funds to better serve the non-profit arts sector, individual artists, arts education initiatives, and the creative workforce in Mississippi, “ stated Malcolm White, Executive Director of MAC.  “Throughout recent years, the Commission has succeeded in this seemingly impossible task. In spite of the local and global economic downturn, the Mississippi Arts Commission has consistently and conservatively increased the grant programs from $1 million in 2007, to $1.1 million in 2008, to $1.2 million in 2009, to $1.5 million in 2010, and now $1.64 million in 2011. This level of support is unparalleled in our history and a true testament to the continued partnership between the Mississippi Legislature, Governor Haley Barbour, the National Endowment for the Arts, and private sector supporters of the arts in Mississippi.” 

The applications from the grantees were reviewed by a group of panelists with artistic, managerial and educational expertise. The agency’s Board of Commissioners reviewed the panelists’ recommendations before making final funding decisions.

In addition to the grants awarded, the Commission approved 15 new artists or groups to its Artist and Teaching Artist Roster.  This printed piece and online resource, updated annually, includes many of the best artists and arts demonstrators working in the state. Non-profit organizations or schools can utilize the Commission’s Minigrant program to support a performance or workshop by a Roster Artist. The next deadline for the Minigrant applications will be November 1, 2010.

For more information on the Commission’s grants programs, Artist Roster and other services, visit the agency’s website, www.arts.state.ms.us.

 

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Phil Hardin Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources.   MAC is the official grants-making and service agency for the arts in Mississippi.  The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

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