Jackson, MS – On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, the Mississippi Arts Commission hosted the 2023 Arts Day at the Capitol. MAC, partner agencies, arts advocacy groups, and grantees visited the Capitol to share the importance of the arts with state-wide leaders. 

“Mississippi is so arts-rich, and I am so proud of the people in this room that make that happen,” said Senator Jeremy England of Vancleave, who spoke at the Arts Day at the Capitol.  

This year, national, state-wide, and local leaders spoke about the impact on community investment and economic development through shovel-ready projects that provide funding to repair, renovate, expand, or construction of year-round arts facilities in Mississippi through MAC’s Building Fund for the Arts grant. 

“This past November, $3 million was awarded across the state for shovel-ready jobs that were due to revitalize and improve and create new arts locations to share [creativity and inspiration] with the children across our state,” said Senator England. 

“We have great support from our state for the arts,” said David Lewis, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. “We have 14 projects that are already underway right now, investing directly into arts-based facilities across the state.” 

The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, MS, was the first to complete its project for this grant round in February. “This grant provided the necessary kick-start and seed money for us to prepare and seal the exterior envelope of our museum, a critical component for any museum conserving the contents inside,” said George Bassi, Director of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. “This was a monumental project for us. One that is only done every 30 to 40 years completed in a two-month period this past January and February.” 

The project was completed by Marsh Water Proofing, located near Jackson, which specializes in building restoration. Bassi expressed the importance of using a Mississippi-based company for the project.  

“Mississippi is known for its richness in the arts. It is important to talk about the power of the arts, whether it is economical, it is cultural or educational power of the arts, and the social power of the arts,” said Nolen Bevins, President, and CEO of Americans for the Arts (AFTA), who attended Arts Day at the Capitol and surrounding events by arts advocacy groups. 

For more information about the Building Fund for the Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission, visit arts.ms.gov.