The Mississippi Arts Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Arts Awards, an annual ceremony that recognizes individuals and organizations that have made noteworthy contributions to the arts in the state of Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor’s Office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts. The deadline to submit nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Arts Awards is June 1, 2023. Award nominations may be submitted online via MAC’s website at arts.ms.gov/gaa.

“We are excited to announce the nominations are open for the 2024 Governor’s Arts Awards,” said David Lewis, executive director of MAC. “Mississippi has an overabundance of exceptional artists, arts organizations, and arts leaders who deserve to be recognized, and I encourage the public to take the opportunity to nominate these individuals who make significant contributions to the arts in the state and beyond.”

Award winners are nominated by members of the public and selected by a jury of community arts leaders and industry peers. Schools, businesses, organizations, arts initiatives, and events are eligible to receive Governor’s Arts Awards, in addition to individual artists and supporters of the arts. Awardees are recognized for outstanding work in visual, literary, and performing arts and community development through the arts and arts patronage. Recipients are not required to be Mississippi residents, but they must have significant ties to the state through some years of residency.

Some notable past Governor’s Arts Awards recipients include B.B. King, Eudora Welty, Morgan Freeman, Sam Gilliam, Leontyne Price, Marty Stuart, Charley Pride, Sela Ward, Bobby Rush, Natasha Trethewey, Jesmyn Ward, Benjamin Wright, Andrew Bucci, and John Grisham.

“MAC is utilizing our grant system for the nomination process this year,” said Ellie Banks, communications director for MAC. “This system allows nominators to collaborate, save their progress, and if their nominee is not selected this year, it will make it easier for them to be nominated again in the future.”

The Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony will be held on February 8, 2024, as part of MAC’s inaugural Arts Week. More information about Arts Week and the awards will be provided at a later date.

To submit a nomination, view a listing of past awardees, and learn more about this annual celebration of the arts, visit arts.ms.gov/gaa.