Mississippi Arts Commission

In 1996, Mississippi State University was commissioned by the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) to conduct a survey on the status of arts instruction in Mississippi public schools that revealed the poverty of arts instruction in Mississippi schools. Among the findings: one full-time music teacher for every 840 students, including high school band programs; one full-time visual art teacher for every 3,150 students; one full-time drama teacher for every 17,848 students; and one full-time dance teacher for every 31,235 students.

With these findings in mind, Mississippi Whole Schools (MWS) was created. The goal of MWS was two-fold. To encourage the use of arts teachers and visiting artists in the areas of dance, drama, music, visual art, creative writing, and folk arts to strengthen the place of the arts as a core academic subject in its own right.

And, to promote the integration of the arts in all academic areas in order to increase student success in these subjects.

We are now in Phase III of the Mississippi Whole Schools history and currently have 30 schools across the state participating.

To learn more about our history, you can visit: mswholeschools.org

The new issue of Mississippi Folklife is available now on our website! This issue features three great articles about Mississippi life, art, and culture:

In “Giving Context to the Blues: A Walk with Brenda Luckett,” Addie E. Citchens presents a portrait of the life and work of Brenda Luckett, co-founder of the Northwest Mississippi Civil Rights Museum whose walking tours of Clarksdale educate tourists about the history of the Civil Rights Movement and how it intersects with blues history in the region. The article features stunning black and white photos by Jai Williams, whose work also appeared in our previous issue.

Dr. Tammy Greer's “Making a Space for the Four Directions: Growing the Southern Miss Medicine Wheel Garden” features a project to build a medicine wheel garden at the University of Southern Mississippi. Through the project, Dr. Greer explores her own Native American culture and teaches others a more holistic approach to living in community with the environment.

"The Biography of an Afghan,” by Dr. J. Janice Coleman, is an account of a crocheted afghan made by Martha Mae Jones (1954-2011). As the author traces it from its creation to today, we get an intimate view of the lives of its various owners. As a manifestation of the maker’s skill and care for her community, the blanket serves as a touching self-portrait of Jones.

To read all of these articles, and past articles from Mississippi Folklife, visit https://mississippifolklife.org/

Photo credits:
Image 1 - Jai Williams
Image 2 - Dr. Tammy Greer
Image 3 - Maria Zeringue

This week's host Kristen Brandt interviews Julie Whitehead. Julie works as a freelance writer with a focus on mental health, and her forthcoming book titled “Hurricane Baby” will release on August 20. This collection of short stories is based on the author’s experiences, observations and speculations about Hurricane Katrina but is presented through the lens of narrative fiction. We will discuss Julie’s path to writing this book as well as her upcoming author event at Lemuria Books when you tune into this segment of the Mississippi Arts Hour.

The episode airs on MPB - Mississippi Public Broadcasting Think Radio this Sunday at 5 p.m. CT. You can also listen on your favorite podcasting app.

FY2025 New Roster Artist Spotlight:Mississippi Shakespeare Festival

The Mississippi Shakespeare Festival exists to provide professional arts experiences that focus on the classics of world literature, with a special emphasis on the works of Shakespeare. Their mission is to preserve history while developing and nurturing a new generation of classics across the literary and performing arts. MSF serves schools across the state with touring educational productions of Shakespeare’s classics.

To learn more about the Mississippi Shakespeare Festival, as well as the Mississippi Artist Roster, you can visit: https://arts.ms.gov/artist/mississippi-shakespeare-festival/

2024 State Arts Conference Partner Spotlight: Mississippi Museum of Art 🌟

As they did at last year's conference, MMA will sponsor the Art Talk Dinner on Tuesday night of the conference. Last year's Art Talk Dinner was a hit, and we can't wait to see what is in store for this year.

This week on the Arts Hour, Lauren Rhoades talks with artist Noah Saterstrom, whose exhibition What Became of Dr. Smith is currently on display at the Mississippi Museum of Art. What Became of Dr. Smith envisions the life of Saterstrom’s great-grandfather, a traveling optometrist who, according to family lore, disappeared in 1924. Through a years-long search in state, local, and private archives, Saterstrom discovered that his great-grandfather spent the final four decades of his life at the Mississippi State Insane Hospital (also known as the “Old Asylum”) in Jackson, and later at the Mississippi State Hospital in nearby Whitfield. Presented as an immersive narrative painting of 183 canvases that together span 122 feet, What Became of Dr. Smith is the visual culmination of the story that emerged one century after it was erased from his family’s record. The episode airs on MPB - Mississippi Public Broadcasting this Sunday at 5 p.m. CT. You can also listen on your favorite podcasting app.

In the lead up to the State Arts Conference, we are shining a spotlight on our partners! The The Westin Jackson in Downtown Jackson will host the 'Art Walk' again this year in which they will showcase art from renowned Mississippi artists in the hotel library. Featured artists will be on site to give guided tours as they did last year. Here is a look back at this wonderful experience in 2023.

William Goodman
Annerobin Luckett

Join us for our next Ask a Professional webinar: “Emergency Resources for Artists” on Tuesday, August 27th at 5:30pm.

Cameron Baxter Lewis of CERFplus and Jennifer Leff of MusiCares will share information about resources that are available to individual artists during times of unexpected emergencies. During our hour together, Cameron and Jennifer will tackle the question many artists may face at some point in their careers: What can I do when I can't make an income through my art due to a medical emergency or an unforeseen disaster?

Bring your questions, Cameron's and Jennifer's presentation will be followed by a brief Q & A session.

Please use this Zoom link to attend the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89556459817

This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, we revisit an episode from last year featuring Kayla Fuentes. Kayla is a mezzo-soprano, vocal pedagogue, and quirky theatre teacher from Starkville, Mississippi, where her passion for music and singing found its roots. She is currently the Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Meridian Symphony Association (Meridian Symphony Orchestra).

Tune in on Sunday, August 5, at 5 p.m. CST on MPB - Mississippi Public Broadcasting Think Radio, or listen back to this episode in the podcast archive http://msartshour.mpbonline.org/

Teaching Artist Roster Spotlight: Kathryn G. Wilson

After receiving her BFA in dance from Belhaven University, Kathryn Gurtler Wilson pursued a career with a dance company in Sarasota, Florida. In 2015, she returned to Jackson, MS, to accept a position at Belhaven University. During this time she co-founded Kinetic Etchings out of a need to continue performing and creating. Currently, she is an adjunct professor of dance at Belhaven University.

Wilson is available to teach workshops to students in creative movement, arts-integrated core subject lessons, and introduction to classical ballet. She is also available for teacher’s workshops regarding using dance within the classroom.

Teaching Artist Roster Spotlight: Richelle Putnam

Richelle Putnam is a longtime member of the Artist Roster and a two-time MAC Literary Arts Fellowship recipient. She penned the book, Mississippi and The Great Depression and was honored with the 2017 Foreword Indies Book Awards Bronze Medal. Her young adult biography, The Inspiring Life of Eudora Welty received the 2014 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver Medal. She is also the author of Lauderdale County, Mississippi: A Brief History and co-author of Legendary Locals of Meridian, Mississippi.

Her mission as a writer and teaching artist is to help children experience the beauty of words and to realize their power.

This week on the Arts Hour, Lauren Rhoades talks with author Lawrence Wells, whose memoir, Ghostwriter: Shakespeare, Literary Landmines, and an Eccentric Patron’s Royal Obsession, was just published by the University Press of Mississippi, along with the novel Fair Youth which he ghostwrote for Gertrude C. Ford. Larry is the director of Yoknapatawpha Press in Oxford, Mississippi, which he established with his late wife Dean Faulkner Wells. The author of two historical novels, Rommel and the Rebel and Let the Band Play Dixie, Wells’ manuscript Ghostwriter was awarded the 2014 Faulkner-Wisdom gold medal for narrative non-fiction at the Words and Music Festival in New Orleans.

The episode airs on MPB - Mississippi Public Broadcasting Sunday, July 21, at 5 p.m. CST. You can also listen on your favorite podcasting app.

Teaching Artist Roster Spotlight: Sharon DuBois

Passionate about keeping jazz music alive, Sharon DuBois is a nationally certified teaching artist who has been performing, producing, and recording for more than three decades. She currently works as a teaching artist for several non-profit organizations, including Arts for Learning San Diego, Guitars in The Classroom, and Mid-City Community Music while continuing to write, record, perform, and teach privately.

DuBois combines knowledge and experience from her education in anthropology/Native American studies and music, and her 20-year mentorship with jazz maestro Daniel Jackson. She honors each student by exploring and incorporating relevant cultural references and experiences in an inclusionary way, setting up a safe environment where all can explore and create.

State Arts Conference registration opens today, July 15.

The Conference will take place in Downtown Jackson at The Westin on October 15 and 16. Whether you are an artist, an arts professional, a board member, a teacher, or a lover of the arts, the State Arts Conference is the place to be. Join us for two days full of connection, collaboration, and networking!

More information about registration can be found here: https://arts.ms.gov/state-arts-conference/

Tomorrow, Monday, July 15 is the last day to submit your Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) Letter of Intent!

BFA supports the repair, renovation, expansion or construction of facilities that serve as sites for year-round arts programming in their communities. Those interested in applying for funding through the Building Fund for the Arts program should submit a Letter of Intent through MAC’s e-grant system, which can be accessed here: https://arts.ms.gov/apply

*Only those with an eligible LOI will be invited to complete the full application

Teaching Artist Roster Spotlight: Tony Davenport

Hailing from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Tony Davenport is a certified K-12 visual arts teacher who has taught in both Mississippi and Tennessee for the past 15 years. As a professional artist, Davenport utilizes the elements and principles of design to illustrate the expression of the human form working in concert with musically themed influences.

As an art educator, Davenport believes that arts integration is vital in teaching children to use creativity as a vehicle to navigate through social interaction among people, cultures, and communities.

The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) is investing over $1.7 million through grants in more than 300 organizations, schools, and individual artists throughout the state for the fiscal year 2025!

To read the full announcement and to see a full list of recipients, visit arts.ms.gov.

Featured images: FY24 Grantees Jackson Friends of the Library, Pike School of Art, New Stage Theatre, and Johnnie Smith (photo by Rory Doyle).

The upcoming Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) grant round is open until July 15 for Letters of Intent (LOI).

For those interested in submitting a LOI, check out past webinars on our website that explain the Building Fund for the Arts LOI process, a review of the form, tips, and recommendations for a strong application, and a Q&A with past applicants. Click here to view past webinars and find out more about BFA: https://arts.ms.gov/grants/build

If you have questions about the LOI process or general questions about BFA, contact MAC’s grant team: [email protected] or call 601-359-6030.

*Only those with an eligible LOI will be invited to complete the full application

This week on the on the Mississippi Arts Hour, we revisit a conversation from 2022 with MAC’s Folk and Traditional Arts Director, Maria Zeringue and two traditional artists – quilter Janice Mitchell and tatter and jewelry maker, Alan Kolodny. Janice and Alan were both part of the exhibit, Mississippi Traditions: An Exhibit Celebrating Featured Artists of the Mississippi Folklife Directory. Janice recently passed away and we are sharing this episode in her memory.

Listen at 5 p.m. on MPB - Mississippi Public Broadcasting Think Radio. The show is also available on major podcasting platforms.

Photo credits: Janice Mitchell by Rory Doyle, Alan Kolodny by Ron Blaylock

Teaching Artist Roster Spotlight: Roxie Thomas Clayton

Roxie Thomas Clayton is a dance educator, choreographer, and creative. She believes that movement and dance should be accessible to every student who has that creative passion. Roxie is the artistic director for Doniphan Dance Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves youth in her surrounding communities who want to broaden their dance experiences but may not have the opportunity due to financial hardships.

Roxie wants to share her gift of dance composition with other teachers by providing movement and choreography residencies. These residencies can range from building an authentic piece for a group of dancers at school to setting one of Clayton’s original works on a dance company or group of students. Roxie can also work with an organization, a group of teachers, an individual teacher, or administration as a consultant on how to establish a sustainable arts program and develop more creativity in their schools.

Did you apply for a MAC grant for FY25?

We will announce the recipients of the FY25 grants on July 8, 2024!

Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) Letter of Intent (LOI) submissions open today! Submissions will be open through July 15.

BFA supports the repair, renovation, expansion or construction of facilities that serve as sites for year-round arts programming in their communities. Those interested in applying for funding through the Building Fund for the Arts program should submit a Letter of Intent through MAC’s e-grant system. For more information about BFA, visit arts.ms.gov/build.

*Only those with an eligible LOI will be invited to complete the full application

REMINDER: Mississippi Poet Laureate Nominations deadline is TONIGHT at midnight!

For more information about criteria, or to submit a nomination, please visit arts.ms.gov.

Artist Roster Spotlight: Robert Kimbrough, Sr.

Blues Musician and Guitarist, Robert Kimbrough Sr. Cotton Patch Soul Blues is a 2024 addition to the MAC Artist Roster.

Robert Kimbrough Sr. continues the Cotton Patch Soul Blues style created by his father, the legendary Junior Kimbrough. From an early age, Robert was steeped in the sounds and life of North Mississippi and its distinctive styles of blues. Robert Kimbrough Sr.’s musical journey started at an early age and took him to Illinois where he lived and played for a few years. He then returned to Holly Springs, MS to play with his dad and focus on his music, as well tour with Junior in 1996. Shortly after, he wrote all the tracks for his first release, Willey Woot. Robert became focused solely on sharing his families unique style of cotton patch soul blues under his new moniker – Blues Connection – as one of the hardest working guys in the blues business. To keep Cotton Patch Soul Blues alive, he launched the annual Cotton Patch Soul Blues Festival in Holly Springs, MS which draws hundreds of people from around the US and world. The Kimbrough Cotton Patch Soul Blues Festival is a three day interactive music event held in Holly Springs, Ms. which celebrates the life and legacy of his father David "Junior" Kimbrough and brother David Kimbrough Jr. 3rd. Robert invites anyone to Holly Springs for the weekend to learn about his family's unique style of Blues and experience the Kimbrough way of life as a North Mississippi Cotton Patch Soul Blues Boy.

Check out Robert Kimbrough, Sr. and other Roster Artists by visiting https://arts.ms.gov

This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, Maria Zeringue talks with musician Eden Brent. A native of Greenville, MS, Eden has spent her life playing tribute to the music of the region that raised her. As a talented piano player and songwriter, she carries on the tradition of Mississippi blues and boogie-woogie through her energetic performances and recording output. Eden is also a MAC Folk Arts Fellowship awardee and has been given numerous honors by her peers in the blues community. She recently released an album of new material called "Getaway Blues." The album was recorded in London with her husband, Bob Dowell. In this episode, we discuss her new album and hear stories from Eden’s life in Mississippi music.

Listen to this episode on Sunday, June 30, at 5 p.m. on MPB - Mississippi Public Broadcasting Think Radio! You can also listen to this and past episodes by subscribing to the podcast!