The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX), a long-awaited art museum projected to bring 125,000-140,000 visitors to Meridian annually, is set to open in late April of 2018.

The grand opening weekend, set for April 27-29, will start with a black tie gala on Friday, April 27. On Saturday, museum members will get an exclusive preview of special performances and programs offered at The MAX. The museum will open to the public on Sunday, starting a week of lectures, forums, musical performances and artist demonstrations.

“We anticipate the grand opening to be one of the most significant events in the state,” Mark Tullos, the president and CEO of the MAX, said in a statement. “We have assembled significant leadership to help plan and organize the event.”

A volunteer Grand Opening Committee planned and organized the weekend’s activities. Members include: Chair Dottye Graham, Deidre Bland, Frances Long, Debby Delshad, Beth Clay, Jamie Cater, Helen Valentine, Karen Rush, Joe Norwood, Laura Carmichael, Lloyd Gray, Archie McDonnell, Gayle Callahan, Marilyn Greene, Susan Coffin, Kim Waters, Becky Farley, Cindy McGinnis, Laura Holladay, Barbara Boone and Melanie Mitchell.

This committee and museum staff will reach out to cultural organizations throughout the state, seeking partnerships for additional programming and special events. 

For more information, visit msarts.org and subscribe to the online newsletter.