The Montgomery Institute has received a $3,400 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission to help present the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance’s upcoming Pines Region Songwriter Festival, slated for July 26-27 in downtown Meridian.

The allocation was one of more than $1.7 million in grants recently awarded to more than 300 organizations, schools and individual artists throughout the state for fiscal year 2025. The fiscal year, which began July 1, runs through next June 30.

One of the missions of The Montgomery Institute is to foster growth and development in East Mississippi. The MSA Pines Region Songwriter Festival is a good example of how collaborative efforts can create economic opportunities for venues, businesses, songwriters and the community, according to a news release from The Montgomery Institute.

“The festival provides songwriters and artists an invaluable platform to showcase their talents, network with industry professionals and gain exposure to new audiences,” said Richelle Putnam, festival coordinator for The Montgomery Institute.

The grant will be used to help administer the Pines Region festival which will offer educational opportunities through workshops, while enhancing the skill sets of local artists and music enthusiasts and keeping them informed about the latest trends in the industry.

The festival is set to kick off Friday, July 26, at various venues in downtown Meridian including Brickhaus, Threefoot Brewing, Aie’s Taste of Thai and Mia’s Cafe. It will continue Saturday, July 27, at the Mississippi Arts+Entertainment Experience with a workshop, “What’s In A Song? A Look Inside the Songwriter’s Toolbox,” facilitated by Grammy Award-winning artist Tricia Walker from 10 a.m. until noon. A finale will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday in The MAX Courtyard, featuring Walker, Eden Brent, Emily White and Alanna Mosley.

“Mississippi is synonymous with the quality of art that emits from our state. The arts enhance the quality of life and local economies,” said David Lewis, executive director for the Mississippi Arts Commission. “With the generous support from the Mississippi Legislature, we can activate our citizens’ innate creativity and invest in our communities.”

MAC’s annual grant funds come from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mississippi State Legislature. Awards were made in 92 state House of Representatives districts and 52 Senate districts.

Other recipients of MAC 2025 grants in Lauderdale County include:

— Meridian Little Theatre, a Year Two Organization Operating Grant in the amount $15,600.

— Meridian Symphony Association, a Year Two Organization Operating Grant in the amount of $23,400

— Mississippi Arts+Entertainment Experience, an Organization Operating Grant in the amount of $23,400, as well as a mini-grant.

— Meridian Museum of Art, an Organization Operating Grant in the amount of $14,400.

— Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, an Organization Operating Grant in the amount of $18,000

— Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, a $2,380 Organization Project Grant to support a series of visiting artist workshops, as well as a mini-grant.