Professional artists, creatives, groups, ensembles, and arts non-profits. Individual artists and creative groups are each required to submit their own separate applications. If you belong to a creative group, both you and the group must apply independently to be listed on the roster.

Professional artists, etc., are eligible if they:

• earn at least part of their annual income or operating budget in their artistic disciplines;
• consider their artistic endeavors as a career;
• maintain a high level of artistic quality;
• make a significant time investment in their artistic disciplines through practice, production, and public sharings;
• are a permanent, legal, full-time resident of Mississippi at the time of application and throughout the tenure period. Applicants may be required to show proof of residence (such as a driver’s license, proof of domicile, a homestead, or utility bills).
  • If you are a non-profit, you must be registered in Mississippi.

Eligible applicants cannot:

• be a full-time student, with the exception of those who are a part of an artistic group applying to the Mississippi Artist Roster, and a majority of the group members are not full-time students.
• Be under 18 years of age by June 1 or November 1; this includes artistic groups. No exceptions will be given at this time.

A MAC staff member will review all submitted applications for eligibility. Anonymous arts professionals will review, score, and recommend applications for recommended approval with MAC staff. Final approval is by vote by the MAC Board of Commissioners. Scoring will be from 1 (low) to 5 (high). The following criteria will be used: 

ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE 

• Mastery of your artistic discipline or tradition. Primarily evaluated through work samples. 

• Documented history of professional artistic activity from the last three years. Primarily evaluated through the artist’s resume. 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & ROSTER READINESS 

• Ability to share artistic knowledge, skills, or creative process with audiences. Public engagement program experience is not required for inclusion on the Mississippi Artist Roster. However, many organizations that use the MAC Artist Roster are interested in hiring artists who can engage with audiences through activities such as artist talks, demonstrations, workshops, master classes, lessons, etc. 
• Preparedness for Public Events, Programs, and/or Engagements. Primarily evaluated through promotional materials and list of artistic services. 
• Ability to serve audiences beyond the artist’s immediate geographic community. This may include in-person, virtual, mailed, or other forms of engagement. 

MAC recognizes that artists engage with their communities and professional networks in multiple ways. While no specific activities are required, MAC encourages roster artists to maintain a healthy, self-directed level of engagement with the state agency and the public, as appropriate to their capacity and practice. This engagement may take many forms, including:

• Helping to share MAC programs and opportunities within professional networks and the public, including key data points about Mississippi’s arts and culture ecosystem.
• Attending the Mississippi State Arts Conference and/or State Artist Convening.
• Acknowledging MAC through official logos or tagging MAC on social media (@msartscommission) in relation to artistic events or projects, when relevant.
• Serving as a MAC grants panelist (paid).
• Participating in Mississippi Artist Roster gatherings.
• Sharing moments of pride or professional updates related to your artistic practice with MAC.

Engagement opportunities may evolve over time as MAC learns about needs and resources.

• Inclusion in the MAC Artist Roster directory on the MAC website, featuring a bio, artist statement, allowable contact information, and at least one photo. The directory is updated biannually (August and January).
• MAC provides non-representational referral support to organizations seeking specific artistic disciplines or professional expertise. Though MAC may provide general guidance to the public, MAC does not and cannot act as an artist’s manager, booking agent, or representative of the selected artist. MAC does not negotiate or secure engagements on behalf of any roster artists.

Each selected artist serves a three-year term. MAC will contact roster members regarding the end of their three-year commitment and to consider reapplying for another term. Reapplying does not guarantee membership for the next term, as the review criteria and process will need to apply to every application. If the roster member chooses not to apply for the June 1 deadline, their profile will be removed from the public directory. The MAC Artist Roster directories will be updated to reflect changes in August and January.

If an Organizational Mini-Grant application (May Round) wants to hire a Roster Artist set to roll off June 30, MAC will not decline the application based on that detail alone.

MAC represents the Artist Roster in its entirety. While roster artists may be publicly identified by MAC as part of the roster, as a state agency, MAC does not and cannot act as an artist’s manager, booking agent, or representative in contractual or professional negotiations. Roster artists retain full independence and responsibility for their artistic practice, professional decisions, and business relationships.

You can apply through MAC’s online grant system, known as E-Grant (arts.ms.gov/apply). Please contact MAC if you need any support in accessing the grants system.

MAC will provide paper applications upon request. Applicants must request a paper application no later than two weeks before the deadline. Please write the date you submitted your application at the post office on the back of the envelope. The date on the envelope must not be later than the application deadline.

Your legislative districts

Don’t worry! We provide links in the application to help you learn who your representatives are.

Artistic Discipline Overview

This section includes five questions to help us understand how you define your artistry. As of FY27, the MS Artist Roster has expanded the application to include more artistic disciplines, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. The major artistic discipline selected will determine the work samples required for the application. One question will ask you to further define your artistic specialization(s). The application provides definitions, examples, and further guidelines. 

If you identify as a multidisciplinary artist, you will select the disciplines that you practice and want to be considered for. You will be required to provide work samples for each discipline selected. 

For all applicants, each major discipline and/or specialization(s) provided on the application will be reviewed on their own merit. Final approval for MS Artist Roster membership does not guarantee that all disciplines and specializations noted by the applicant will be accepted. 

• For example, if your major discipline is Film and Media, you may be capable of working across multiple subdisciplines — but if your strongest work lies in investigative documentary filmmaking, that becomes your specialization for this roster. 

Uploads 

At this point in the application, multiple uploads are required. Please review the required upload formats, especially for work samples. * indicates a required item. 

Professional And MS Artist Roster Readiness 

Artistic Resume* – Upload your current artistic resume (maximum two pages). As a reminder, the MS Artist Roster is intended for professional working artists. Your resume must demonstrate a history of publicly presenting, performing, publishing, exhibiting, selling, teaching, or otherwise sharing your artistic work during the past three years.  

You may also include awards, recognitions, education, training, leadership and volunteer service, and other accomplishments related to your artistic practice (no timeline requirement). 

Promotional Materials* – Upload a single PDF containing between 3 – 5 promotional items. Examples may include photographs, promotional graphics, links to trailers, demo reels, event advertisements, social media event pages, business cards, logos, brochures, or images of merchandise related to your artistic practice. 

Media and Public Visibility – Provide a list of media coverage, publicity, or promotional activity from the past three years, including links when available. Examples may include interviews, newspaper or magazine features, podcasts, event listings, newsletters, social media promotion, or similar coverage.  

Artistic Services* – Upload a single PDF detailing your artistic services and their associated fees. Include descriptions of any performances, exhibitions, presentations, readings, demonstrations, commissions, products, or services directly related to your major artistic discipline. 

Public Engagement Programs – If applicable, upload a single PDF containing the public engagement offerings relevant to your major artistic practice(s). These may include opportunities such as workshops, lessons, master classes, artist talks, lectures, or community programs with brief descriptions and their associated fees. Public engagement program experience is not required for inclusion on the roster. However, many organizations that use the MAC Artist Roster are interested in hiring artists who can engage with audiences through the above-mentioned activities. 

Supplemental Licenses and Certifications – If applicable, upload any of the following mentioned below as a single PDF. If you presently, or will in the future, work with vulnerable communities from the artistic professional capacity for which you are applying for, please upload up-to-date and verified licenses and certifications associated with your work. This includes, but are not limited to: mental health, physical health, working with minors, or classifications found in your artistic disciplines (for example: stage combat). If you have been nominated for or received a prestigious award in your field (for example, Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, MacArthur Genius Grant, etc.), please upload a copy of the notification. 

Information For The Roster Artist Website 

The following information will be used to build your public profile on MAC’s online Artist Roster Directory should you be selected. Please do not include information that you would not want the public to have immediate access to.  

Profile Photo* – Upload a high-resolution, color profile photo (800 x 800 pixels) that represents you or your group. Profile photos should show the artist within the context of their discipline. Black and white images, images showing minors’ faces, group photos (unless applying as an ensemble, etc.), logos, AI-generated images, slanted/sideways photos, or selfies with “selfie arm” are not acceptable. Examples of profile images include:  

• For All Artists – Artist actively engaged in their work. 

• Architecture & Design – Clear image of their work, with or without the artist. 

• Literary Artist – Artist holding their book(s), or images from public readings  

• Musician – Artist with their instrument(s) and/or equipment  

• Visual Artist – Clear image of their work, with or without the artist  

• Performing Artist (non-musician; dance, theatre, etc.) – Action shot from a performance or a staged photo that clearly conveys their discipline  

• For Media and Film, Interdisciplinary, and Multidisciplinary – choose from the following descriptions above that best fit your artistry. 

Artist Name*- List your professional artist/stage/performance name.  

Artist Phone Number* – List a public phone number that potential clients can reach you at. It must be a number you use and can access.   

Artist Email* – List a public email that potential clients can reach you at. It must be an email you check frequently and can access.  

Are you available for travel? If yes, how far and under what conditions? *  

Are you available to do online programs and/or performances? * (Yes/No) 

Artist Website – Provide a professional website that is directly related to the artistry specified in this application. The website will be reviewed by MAC for appropriateness and relevance before being added to your public profile. It may be considered as part of your roster criteria. 

Artist Professional Social Media Handles & Other Online Presence – Provide professional social media handles or other online presence (example: SoundCloud) that is directly related to the artistry specified in this application. Information provided will be reviewed by MAC for appropriateness and relevance before being added to your public profile. It may be considered as part of your roster criteria. 

Artist Bio* – Written in third person voice, no more than 150 words.  

Artistic Excellence 

WORK SAMPLES 

FOR ALL APPLICANTS 

• If you used generative AI in your artwork, upload both the original human-authored draft and the final work together as one work sample. 

• Work samples must be original, public domain interpretations, or licensed works presented publicly within the last three years. 

• Each major discipline work sample requirement includes uploading formats, work sample guidelines, and work sample description statements specific to the discipline. 

• For work samples that are in audio or visual formats, time markers are required. 

• If you are offering public engagement programs that center on teaching or educating (such as a lesson, master class, workshop, etc.), submit one additional sample demonstrating this work. Examples include curriculum, post-program reports, or a video (3 – 5 minutes MAX). This sample does not count toward the required work sample total or any page/time limits. 

• Trailers, montages, or news segments will not be accepted as work samples, but may be included in the Media & Public Visibility application section. 

• If you are part of a nationally recognized guild or union that has specific guidelines on how your artworks’ documentation must be shared, please contact scottrell@arts.ms.gov. 

• Mississippi Arts Commission is a state government arts agency. Please carefully consider the work samples you submit. 

• Have questions or need to submit additional work samples? Contact Special Initiatives Director Simone Cottrell at 601.359.6044 or scottrell@arts.ms.gov 

MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTS – Multidisciplinary Arts is the practice of two or more major arts disciplines that remain separate. Work samples will depend on which arts disciplines you select in the application. 

FILM & MEDIA – Submit 3 required work samples, with up to 2 optional additional work samples. Total viewing time for all submitted work samples must be between 6 – 15 minutes.  

INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS – Interdisciplinary Arts is the practice of merging two or more disciplines together to present a unique art form or artwork. There are 8 work sample spaces available. Follow the submission requirements below for the format that best displays your interdisciplinary work. Your work sample(s) should demonstrate the interdisciplinary discipline as defined above as well as the areas of specialization that you noted earlier in this application. 

• Audio/Video Content (2 Work Samples Required): Submit 2 work samples, each 3 – 8 minutes. Total audio and visual may not exceed 16 minutes. If you identify as a performing artist, at least one work sample must be from a live performance with clear audio and video. 

• Written Work (1 Work Sample Required): Submit 10 – 15 total pages of original work. Pages may come from one work or multiple works. If submitting multiple works, upload each as a separate work sample. 

• Visual Work (8 Work Samples Required): Submit 8 images, representing at least two completed artworks. Each image represents one work sample. Image samples must be in color, high resolution, and clearly show the artwork without visual obstructions (such as heavy shadows or objects blocking the details). Detail images may be included as a work sample to highlight craftsmanship. 

LITERARY ARTS – Submit 1 required work sample, with up to 4 optional additional work samples. All literary work samples must be published, either through self-publishing or a literary publication. Samples should demonstrate the major discipline and areas of specialization identified earlier in this application. Each sample must include a cover page listing the title, author name, and page count.  Please follow additional requirements below. 

• Poetry: 5 – 10 total pages of original, published poetry. One complete poem per page. Pages may come from a single work or multiple works.  

• All Other Literary Genres: 10 – 15 total pages of original, published work. Pages may come from a single work or multiple works. 

PERFORMING ARTS – Submit 2 required work samples, with 3 optional additional work samples totaling 6 – 15 minutes of content. Your work samples should reflect the major discipline and areas of specialization identified earlier in this application. One work sample must be from a live production with clear audio and video showcasing the artistry.  

VISUAL ARTS – Submit 8 required image work samples, with space for up to 2 additional samples. Your work samples should reflect the major discipline and areas of specialization identified earlier in this application. 

AI STATEMENT 
MAC recognizes artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool that can support and enhance human creativity. MAC also acknowledges the value of generative AI in improving accessibility and supporting individuals who wish to engage arts and culture, both creatively and administratively. MAC maintains that human authorship and creative intent must remain at the core of all artistic and administrative processes. For grant applications, a human applicant must develop, review, and enter all required data. In the creation of artworks, a human artist, creative, or collective must serve as the primary author and creative force behind the work. The final result must reflect human authorship and intent, rather than AI-generated work (e.g., lacking a personal voice, specific details). Undisclosed use of generative AI will result in the application being ineligible. 

AI CERTIFICATION* 

• No, generative AI was NOT used for any portion of this application. 
• Yes, generative AI was used in this application. 

AI EXPLANATION  
If you answered “Yes” to the question above, please explain how generative AI was used in the grant application. As a reminder, if you did use generative AI for your work samples, you must include the human-authored draft and the final product as part of one work sample. 

ASSISTANCE CERTIFICATION 

If you are submitting this application on behalf of an artist, please upload a signed and dated PDF, JPEG, or PNG stating that the artist gives you full permission to speak on their behalf, as well as have full access to their eGrant account and accompanying documents that may be uploaded to their account.