JACKSON, MS – The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) Executive Director, Sarah Story, will step down from her role effective Friday, September 9, 2022. Story has served as executive director since September of 2020.

“Sarah stepped into this role in the middle of the pandemic and successfully led the agency through this time,” said MAC Board Chair, Marie Sanderson. “Even with the challenges the pandemic presented, Sarah successfully launched and saw through multiple initiatives and left MAC in a better place than where she found it.”

Under her leadership, Story increased the annual budget from $3 million to $7.2 million for the fiscal year 2023. The additional funding went toward a $1 million increase for Mississippi Whole Schools. She secured $3 million for the Building fund for the Arts, a grants program to support infrastructure for arts organizations around the state. 

Story led the development of the strategic plan for 2023-2027 and spearheaded the agency-wide rebrand that will launch in early September. She also implemented a new fundraising initiative, “Art Crush,” in conjunction with the Governor’s Arts Awards, which doubled the Commission’s private funding.

“I have immense gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with my home state and work alongside the incredible artists and cultural workers dedicated to brightening their communities through programs, performances, exhibitions, filmmaking, writing, and public art,” said Story. “The artistic talent in Mississippi inspires. I am proud to have made an impact during my leadership. The MAC is integral to our past, current, and future artistic legacy: supporting, promoting, and connecting our rich cultural heritage to our citizens and tourists in Mississippi and beyond. I’ll continue to be a proud fan, supporter, and promoter of the arts in Mississippi.”

Story has accepted a position as the Director of Development for the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin. MAC’s Deputy Director, Larry Morrisey, will serve as interim executive director until the role is filled.

The Mississippi Arts Commission has launched a search for a new executive director to lead the state agency. The deadline to apply for this position is September 30, or until filled. Details of the position requirements and application information can be found at arts.ms.gov/work-for-mac.

For more information on MAC’s grants programs and other services, visit the agency’s website at arts.ms.gov.

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The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) is a state agency serving more than two million people through grants and special initiatives that enhance communities, assist artists and arts organizations, promote arts education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. MAC is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Mississippi, and other private sources. For more information, visit www.arts.ms.gov.

Media Contact:
Ellie Banks
Communications Director
ebanks@arts.ms.gov
601-359-6546