In a historic collaborative visit, the National Endowment for the Arts Chair, Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., and the National Endowment for the Humanities Chair, Shelly Lowe, visited the metro-Jackson area earlier this month. The cross-sector visit allowed national, regional, state, and local leaders from the arts and humanities worlds, including General Nolen Bivens, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts (AFTA), to meet and experience the incredible work happening in Mississippi.
The visit surrounded the Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival, which occurred November 1 – 4 in Jackson. The Chairs attended a public reception and participated in a panel discussion as part of public events during the festival. In addition, Chairs Jackson and Lowe visited various cultural and educational sites in Mississippi, such as Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, the Choctaw/Chahta Immi Cultural Center in Philadelphia, ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute Museum, as well as the Two Mississippi Museums and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
Sipp Culture’s Brandi Turner, NEA Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, Sipp Culture’s Carlton Turner, NEH Chair Shelly Lowe at the site visit for Sipp CultureDavid Holland (Creative States Coalition and WESTAF), Claire Rice (Creative States Coalition and Arts Alliance Illinois), General Nolen Bivens (Americans for the Arts), and Ernesto Balderas (Creative States Coalition and Utah Cultural Alliance) having lunch together at ManshipIvory Cancer and Nicole McNameePam Breaux (President and CEO of NASAA); Amile Wilson (Director of Kinetic Etchings); Nina Parikh (Director MS Film Office)Theresa King (Smith Robertson Museum); Shelly C. Lowe (NEH Chair); Stuart Rockoff (MS Humanities Council Executive Director)Dorothy Abbott and NEH Chair Shelly Lowe.Arts and Humanities Leaders getting ready to start visits for the day in the Metro-Jackson areaNEA and NEH Chair VisitNEA and NEH Chair VisitNEA and NEH Chair VisitNEA and NEH Chair VisitNEA and NEH Chair VisitArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the ‘Sipp Culture and the Utica Institute MuseumArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two MS MuseumsChairs Lowe and Jackson Sitting together during an event.Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival PanelPhillis Wheatley Poetry Festival PanelArts Leaders eating at Hal & Mal’s in JacksonArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two Mississippi Museums in JacksonArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Two Mississippi Museums in JacksonRebecca Hardy, Timothy Davis, Dawn BuckArts and Humanities Leaders visiting the Jxn Icons MuralMAC Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Jordan Perry and David LewisExecutive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission David Lewis and Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts Maria-Rosario-JacksonLauren Rhoades, Charles Sykes, Bernice SykesOkolo Rashid and Amanda Clay PowersRa Joy (NEA), John Spann (MHC) Chair Jackson (NEA) Ascala Sisk (NEA)David Lewis and Stuart RockoffStuart Rockoff Speaking at the Public Reception at Smith Robertson MuseumChair Lowe Speaking at the Public Reception at Smith Robertson Museum
