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Arts Commission News

MAC to Host Statewide Conference on the Arts

DATE:          October 23, 2009 

CONTACT:    Susan Dobbs, Public Relations Director

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

JACKSON - The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC), in partnership with The Wallace Foundation, will present a statewide conference on the arts Nov. 11 through 13 in Jackson.

The conference, themed The Creativity Key…Unlock the Possibilities, will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Jackson and will offer attendees networking opportunities as well as breakout sessions, peer group meetings, and outstanding keynote speakers.       

Breakout sessions will include information covering fundraising, community development, arts advocacy, marketing, grant writing, technology, and grant opportunities. Sessions will be a mixture of presentations, panels and workshops.  The keynote speakers for Thursday’s luncheon are Dana Gioia, former Chair for the National Endowment for the Arts and his brother, author Ted Gioia.  Bill Strickland, nationally recognized visionary leader and President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, will be deliver the keynote address during Friday’s luncheon.  The Mississippi Arts Commission’s Whole Schools Initiative will be holding its fall retreat in conjunction with the conference.

“We are excited to host our first comprehensive arts conference in many years along with our innovative partners in education, the creative economy, and of course, our dedicated statewide arts family,” said Malcolm White, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission.  “We have sought to gather some of the most respected arts and culture voices in the nation, as well as familiar homespun storytellers to bring the conference theme to life. It is our hope that those in attendance will come away with valuable information to help them in these challenging times.”

The conference is targeted toward arts administrators; board members; professional artists; college and graduate students planning a career in the arts; community arts teachers; leaders in education at all levels; policy makers; and anyone committed to building a stronger Mississippi through the arts.

Other conference activities include three arts experiences, including a trolley tour of downtown Jackson, instruction in ballroom dance, and a visual arts experience entitled “The Wonder-filled World of Walter Anderson.”  After a special dinner at the Mississippi Museum of Art, sponsored by the Museum and MAC, conference attendees will have an inside look at a rehearsal of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber I: Pachelbel in Venice performance.

Advance registration costs for the conference are $50 per person, with a deadline of October 30.  Onsite registration costs will be $75 per person. The fees include all scheduled meal functions and materials throughout the event. Attendees are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodations and travel expenses.

For more information about the conference, contact the Mississippi Arts Commission at 601/359-6030 or visit www.arts.state.ms.us.

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, Donna & Jim Barksdale, The Wallace Foundation, 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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