The Mississippi Arts Commission is governed by a 15-member volunteer Board of Commissioners. Bringing expertise in the arts, business and community affairs, the Commissioners represent the citizens of Mississippi and are appointed by the governor to five-year terms. Generally, three new Commissioners are named each year.

The Commissioners meet quarterly to establish program objectives, recommend budgets, assess needs, evaluate program effectiveness and award grants. All Commission meetings are open to the public.

Commissioners

• Marie Sanderson, Ocean Springs, Chair
• Jordan Perry, Jackson, Vice Chair
• Frank Bordeaux, Gulfport
• Dottye Graham, Meridian
• Laura Howell, Leland
• Julie Martin, Meridian
• Ada McGrevey, Decatur
• Joanna McNeel, Madison
• Becky Montague, Hattiesburg
• Scott Naugle, Pass Christian
• Frances Nelson, Madison
• Joe Rankin, Jackson
• Verna Ransom, Indianola
• Julie Shepherd, McComb
• Jamie Lincoln Ward, Madison

Acknowledgments

The Commission gratefully acknowledges the support of the legislature of the State of Mississippi and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The agency appreciates the cooperation and encouragement of Mississippi officials including:

• The Honorable Tate Reeves, Governor
• The Honorable Delbert Hosemann, Lieutenant Governor
• The Honorable Philip Gunn, Speaker of the House
• The Honorable Briggs Hopson, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee
• The Honorable John Read, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee