Skip navigation

Send this site to a friend

Arts Commission News

MAC Co-Sponsors Gulf Coast Cultural Charrette

DATE:              November 3, 2006

CONTACT:     Susan Dobbs, Public Relations Director                                       601-359-6031 or sdobbs@arts.state.ms.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

JACKSON—Four Mississippi cultural agencies will host “A Cultural Charrette: Conversations about Coast Community Life” in Gulfport December 1 and 2, 2006 on the Jefferson Davis Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The unique culture of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with its fascinating history, architecture, cuisine, unique way of life and ethnic diversity is a creative center for the state.  This significant gathering will offer residents an opportunity to be part of reweaving the fabric that constitutes the heart and soul of the coastal area.  This “town hall” meeting will encourage collaborations among cultural entities and interested residents as recovery continues. 

What do the Walter Anderson Museum, your neighborhood library, a festival and the coast Mardi Gras Parades have in common?  These types of interests all work to form your cultural community.  Therefore, residents of the Coast are encouraged to attend this innovative forum to talk about coast community life.

Everyone is invited to attend the charrette both days, but Friday will target the issues facing community leaders and organizations.  The focus Saturday will be the ideas and thoughts of local residents regarding the Coast’s cultural revitalization.  Saturday’s event will also feature fellow Mississippian, Jill Conner Browne, who is hailed by thousands of women as “Her Majesty, the Sweet Potato Queen.” Browne started the phenomena with her first book The Sweet Potato Queen’s Book of Love that attracted a following of women all over the world.  In her “majestic” way, she will share the importance of culture through the eyes of “the Queen.”

This event is the result of a collaboration forged by the Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi Humanities Council and Mississippi Library Commission as the agencies came together to respond and rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. 

Visit the Mississippi Arts Commission’s website for detailed information at www.arts.state.ms.us or call the Mississippi Library Commission at 800/647-7542.

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Wallace Foundation 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.

The Mississippi Humanities Council is funded by Congress through the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide public programs in traditional liberal arts disciplines to serve nonprofit groups in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Library Commission is a state agency, funded primarily by state and federal sources.  MLC supports the information needs of state government; enhances public library services through grants, consulting and library services; and serves as the state’s library for the blind and physically handicapped. 

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is a comprehensive historical agency charged with the care of official governmental records, museums, and historic preservation projects across the state.

The event is funded by the National Humanities Council.

###

 

« Back to headlines