Azaleas are blooming in the capital city, ushering in the busyness of spring. March marks our MAC grant deadline as well as our annual advocacy efforts. This year, Arts Day at the Capitol returned to an in-person format, and arts supporters were able to convene and speak with lawmakers about the importance of the arts to their communities. We also launched a social media campaign using #msartsday2022. Many thanks to all who participated. It was a great day of celebrating the arts!

We also hosted an “Arts Advocacy for Mississippi” webinar earlier this month. If you missed it, please take a moment to watch this very informative 35-minute video, offering tips on how to tell your story to elected officials.

Another chance to connect with the arts community is coming up in May. Registration is now open for the State Arts Conference, which will be held May 12 at the Two Mississippi Museums. We’ve got a strong line-up of speakers and sessions. Join us!

Coming up in April, don’t miss the Mississippi Museum of Art’s huge new exhibition in partnership with the Baltimore Museum of Art “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration” opening April 9. Accompanying podcasts to the exhibition are now available as bonus episodes of Mississippi Arts Hour. Also in April, our broadcast partner MPB Television will premiere the Poetry Out Loud State Contest. Watch the show on April 29 at 8 p.m. to see eight high school contestants vie for the title.

This spring, we hope you enjoy the sunshine and upcoming arts events like Double Decker Arts Festival, Gumtree Art and Wine Festival, Sipp & Savor, Juke Joint Festival, Art in the Pass, Art, Wine & Wheels, Mississippi Maker’s Fest, and many more! We hope to see you soon.

My best,

Sarah Story