JACKSON, MISS. – June 25, 2018 – Sondra Lee-Bell, of Jackson, Miss., has been named arts industry director of the Mississippi Arts Commission.

Lee-Bell has more than twenty years of experience working for the State of Mississippi, with much of her experience focusing on grant management. Prior to starting her position at MAC, she served as license director of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, where she managed a staff of 14 in a department that generates 90 percent of MDWFP’s budget. She has also worked for Mississippi Department of Homeland Security, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Department of Health, Mississippi Department of Human Services, the Mississippi Office of the Secretary of State and Entergy.

A lifelong musician, Sondra Lee-Bell has served as minister of music of Anderson United Methodist Church for 33 years.  She is the founder of vocal ensembles TRIUMPH and On Par. Lee-Bell is a member of the Mississippi Mass Choir and performs with artists across the state and nation. She has received Director and Musician of the Year awards from Jackson Music Awards and is a Mississippi Jazz Foundation honoree. In 2017, By Faith Magazine selected her as Musician of the Year.

In her role at MAC, Lee-Bell will manage grants to organizations and individuals. She will work with many of the state’s large arts organizations, including museums, theaters, performing arts centers and arts councils. She will also oversee MAC’s work related to emergency preparedness issues for arts organizations and artists in the state.

“We are very happy to welcome Sondra to the Mississippi Arts Commission,” said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC. “Her wealth of experience in public funding and the arts positions her well as Arts Industry Director. We feel confident that our arts partners in the state will benefit from her expertise.”

Lee-Bell has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Southern Agricultural & Mechanical University in Baton Rouge, La. She began her new role with MAC on June 15, 2018.

Contact:  Anna Ehrgott | Communications Director | aehrgott@arts.ms.gov | (601) 359-6546