Mississippi Arts Commission: Who We Are

The Mississippi Arts Commission is governed by a 15-member volunteer Board of Commissioners. Bringing expertise in the arts, business and community affairs, the Commissioners represent the citizens of Mississippi and are appointed by the governor for five-year terms. Three new Commissioners are named each year.

The Commissioners meet quarterly to establish program objectives; recommend budgets; assess needs; evaluate program effectiveness; and award grants. All meetings and review panels of the Commission are open to the public.

 

Commissioners

• Myrna Colley-Lee, Charleston, Chair
• Nan Sanders, Cleveland, First Vice-Chair
• Sam Haskell, Oxford, Second Vice-Chair
• Donna Barksdale, Jackson
• Shawn Brevard, Tupelo
• Lawrence Farrington, Ridgeland
• Kris Gianakos, Meridian
• Mary Peavey, Meridian
• Rachel Shemper Schwartz, Hattiesburg
• Peggy Sprabery, Pass Christian
• Robert St. John, Hattiesburg
• Nancy Yates, Philadelphia

Acknowledgments

The Commission gratefully acknowledges the support of the legislature of the State of Mississippi and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Commission appreciates the cooperation and encouragement of Mississippi officials including

• The Honorable Phil Bryant, Governor
• The Honorable Tate Reeves, Lieutenant Governor
• The Honorable Philip Gunn, Speaker of the House
• The Honorable Eugene S. Clarke, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee
• The Honorable Johnny W. Stringer, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee

Copyright 2006–2013 Mississippi Arts Commission