The Meridian Little Theatre is among 34 arts organizations in 23 Mississippi counties set to receive grants through the Building Fund for the Arts, the Mississippi Arts Commission announced Thursday.

MLT was awarded $102,600 to repair the theater’s roof and lighting system, according to a news release announcing the awards for fiscal year 2024.

The funding opportunity provided through the BFA grant initiative supports the much-needed repair, renovation, expansion or construction of Mississippi facilities that serve as sites for year-round arts programming in their communities.

“The BFA program is an important part of enhancing and supporting the creative economy in Mississippi,” said David Lewis, executive director of MAC. “The grants from this program reach well beyond the receiving organization – impacting and uplifting the deserving communities that these facilities will serve.”

“Our facility has been well-loved, and its use has caused some deterioration, but this generous grant helps cover the cost of the essential repairs we need to keep moving forward,” said Tiffany McGehee, artistic director with the Meridian Little Theater. “Our Little Theatre is now poised to venture into our next century of storytelling with stability and momentum toward growth.”

The Mississippi Legislature approved $5 million for the BFA program for fiscal year 2024, an increase of $2.2 million from the prior fiscal year. For FY24, the Mississippi Arts Commission received 63 letters of intent with a total amount of $12.8 million requested for the BFA grant.

“Last year, we heard from our grantees about their need for more support through this type of grant,” Lewis said. “We are grateful to the members of the Mississippi Legislature who heard from their constituents. This year, MAC was able to fund projects in 23 counties, and our state leaders helped make this happen.”

The Mississippi Arts Commission hopes to offer the Building Fund for the Arts grant in the future as funding through the Mississippi Legislature allows.

For more information about the BFA grant and other grant opportunities through the Mississippi Arts Commission, visit arts.ms.gov.