from staff reports
Seven grants have been awarded to schools, programs and organizations in Lauderdale County from the Mississippi Arts Commission totaling $79,175.
The Mississippi Arts Commission has granted $1.5 million in funding to artists and arts programs across the state for fiscal year 2010, reflecting a $500,000 increase since FY2007.
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 51 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 170 different organizations and schools and 42 individual artists.
“It has been the agency’s strategic goal to steadily increase grant funds to better serve the non-profit arts sector, arts education initiatives and the creative workforce in Mississippi, “ Malcolm White, executive director of MAC said. “Over the past few years, the Commission has succeeded in this seemingly impossible task. In spite of the troubled global economy, 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, and now $1.5 million for 2010. This level of support is historic and a true testament to the continued partnership of the Mississippi Legislature and 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 23 new artists or groups to its Artist and Teaching Artist Roster. This printed book 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 2, 2009.
For more information on the Commission’s grants programs, Artist Roster and other services, visit the agency’s website, www.arts.state.ms.us.
Lauderdale County Grants
These are the grants for fiscal year 2010 awarded in Lauderdale County by the
Mississippi Arts Commission:
• Clarkdale Attendance Center: $8,700 for Whole Schools reapplication
• Meridian Council for the Arts: $14,025
for second year of general operating support
• Meridian Museum of Art: $20,750
for general operating support
• Meridian Symphony Orchestra Association: $21,750 for general operating support
• Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum Inc.: $1,000 to present Alabama Art Casting
• Mississippi Writers Guild: $4,250 to
support the 3rd Annual Writers Conference
• Poplar Springs Elementary: $8,700 for Whole Schools reapplication
