Welcome to the ultimate gathering of creative minds in Mississippi! The 2025 Mississippi State Arts Conference is where artists, performers, and art enthusiasts come together to celebrate the beauty of creativity. Join us for two days filled with inspiring workshops, captivating performances, and thought-provoking discussions. Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow artists, learn new techniques, and immerse yourself in Mississippi’s vibrant arts scene. Whether you are an artist, an arts professional, a board member, a teacher, or a lover of the arts, the State Arts Conference is the place to be. Get ready to learn and be inspired.

Dates: Wednesday, October 15, and Thursday, October 16, 2025

Location: The Westin Jackson – 407 South Congress Street Jackson, MS 39201

Registration Fee

$35 per person EARLYBIRD pricing for the two-day conference (ends September 30 | meals not included)
$40 per person for the two-day conference (after October 1 | meals not included)

Early bird pricing for the conference closes on October 1, 2025.

Lunch Option

There will be a lunch break on Wednesday, October 16, from 11:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m.

Estelle at The Westin Jackson is offering a Grab-and-Go option for attendees! An assortment of salads, sandwiches, snacks, and beverage options will be available. A kiosk for ordering and paying for lunches will be located outside Jackson 1 and 2. This cost is NOT included with your conference ticket.

We are currently communicating with our partners to provide additional opportunities.

Tentative 2025 Schedule

Wednessday 10/15/2025:
9 a.m. – NOON – Free Pre-Conference: Teaching Artist at The Westin Jackson (space is limited and pre-registration is required)
1:00 p.m. – Registration
2:00 p.m. – Presentation/Keynote
3:15 p.m. – Networking Breakouts
5 p.m. – TBD Evening Event

Thursday 10/16/2025:
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Welcome
9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Keynote
10 – 10:15 a.m. – Announcements
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – ArtBreak 1
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Breakout 1
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch on Your Own
1 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – ArtBreak 2
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Breakout 2
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – ArtBreak 3
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Breakout 3

All Day Thursday Events:
Artist Roster Headshots -Pre-registration REQUIRED.

All sessions are subject to change.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Westin Jackson at a special events rate of $175 USD per night. Space is limited.

The group rate is available from October 14 to 17, 2025.
Reservations must be made before September 24, 2025, to receive the discounted group rate.

Room Block Name: 2025 MS State Arts Conference Westin Room Block.

The Westin Jackson is located at 407 South Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201.

Click Here to Reserve a Room

PARKING

$12+ 8% tax = daily valet / fenced parking (SPECIAL REDUCED RATE!)
$28 + 8%t tax = overnight valet / fenced parking
Parking is available on the street for a fee, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM, except on Federal Holidays. The parking rate is $1.00 per hour, with a 2-hour time limit. No re-parking is permitted. SP+ will also enforce safety violations, such as Median Parking. Click here for more information on how to pay for street parking in Jackson.

ACCOMMODATION NEEDS

Please let us know if you require any accommodations to participate. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks before the event. If your needs change, please contact Victoria Meek, Accessibility Coordinator, at MAC: vmeek@arts.ms.gov or 601-359-6031.

CONFIRMED SESSIONS

Session information will be updated as it is received.

Ricki Garrett

Sister Cities International

Presenter: Ricki Garret, President & CEO of Sister Cities International

Ricki Garrett is the President and CEO of Sister Cities International, a nonpartisan 501(c) (3) nonprofit that serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States. This network of tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in over 400 member communities has over 1,800 partnerships in more than 140 countries. Garrett will talk about the partnerships Sister Cities International has around the world and the impact of their educational and cultural exchanges. She will also touch on economic development projects that have developed as a result of these partnerships that support the arts.

Performance to Purpose: From Showing Off to Showing Up for Students

Presenter: Amanda Koonlaba

Explore how teaching artists move beyond performing for an audience to creating meaningful, standards-aligned learning experiences that truly impact students. This interactive session invites reflection, sharing, and connection to build a community focused on authentic arts integration and student-centered teaching.

A Poetry Reading and Workshop

Presenter: Ann Fisher-Wirth, Mississippi’s Poet Laureate

Join Mississippi’s Poet Laureate, Ann Fisher-Wirth, for a workshop and reading in the Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Participants are invited to reflect on and write about their experience with some aspect of place, and their interrelationship with the other-than-human world. Ann Fisher-Wirth will give a short reading and then offer a writing prompt that will allow participants to write in the form of prose poetry or a brief memoir. There will be time for discussion at the end of the session.

Building Sustainable and Ethical AI Policies for the Arts

Presenter: Kollin Napier

AI is showing up everywhere, including the arts, and it’s bringing both exciting possibilities and big questions. In this session, led by the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), we’ll talk about how arts organizations can approach AI in a way that’s creative, sustainable, and ethical. We’ll cover how AI can help spark new ideas, make work easier, and connect with audiences in fresh ways, while also making sure issues like bias, transparency, and data use are handled responsibly. You’ll walk away with ideas and a simple framework for shaping AI policies that fit your mission, your values, and the community you serve.

A prescription for art? Yes Please!

Presenter: Adrienne Hundley, Head of Community Strategy for Art Pharmacy

Join us for a conversation on the intersection of Art & Health. Adrienne Hundley, Head of Community Strategy for Art Pharmacy, will lead the discussion and present on the groundbreaking work of social prescribing – a practice connecting people to arts and culture activities to support mental and physical health. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Art Pharmacy currently works in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina with the goal of expanding to all 50 states. Together, we will frame the work of the Mississippi arts community through the lens of arts & health and link it to the wider national conversation.

From Vision to Funding: Turning Bold Ideas into Funded Projects

Presenter: Dr. Tonja Murphy, Community Engagement Director for the Mississippi Book Festival

Strong grant applications require more than passion; they demand a clearly communicated pathway to achieving goals. This session is designed for artists, program managers, and nonprofit leaders who are seeking funding to start, sustain, or expand their projects. Participants will learn how to translate program ideas into compelling narratives, demonstrate impact, and align proposals with funder priorities. By the end of the session, you will have practical strategies and insights to strengthen your grant applications and increase your chances of securing support.

Creating Outdoor Events with Accessibility in Mind

Panelists:
Cameron Stubbs, Oxford Mayor’s Commission for Disability Issues
Adrianna Smith, POWER Program Coordinator of Life of Mississippi
Herbert Humphrey, ADA Coordinator, City of Jackson

Whether an outdoor event lasts a few hours or a few days, most organizers want the same thing: for people to come, enjoy themselves, and come back, ideally, with more people! Considering visitors with disabilities is both a means to achieve this and a necessity for public events such as concerts, markets, festivals, and the like. This panel consists of leaders working to expand access for Mississippians with disabilities. Through a guided conversation, they’ll share insights on creating a positive experience for all visitors, from arrival and moving through the space to fully participating in the event.

Behind the Build: How Three BFA Projects Took Shape

Panelists:
Carlton Turner, Co-Director, Mississippi Center for Cultural Production
Emily Havens, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, Executive Director
Sherri Lipscomb, Center Stage Biloxi, Board of Directors, Secretary

What is it like to complete a Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) grant project? This panel features three grantees discussing their experiences with the process. Projects discussed will range from full renovations to ADA improvements and permanent exhibits. Topics will range from planning and fundraising to partnerships and dealing with challenges. If you’re considering applying for a BFA grant, this panel is an excellent opportunity to gather ideas and ask questions.

Mississippi Residencies

Panelists: Saint Allen Austin, Project Director at Sipp Culture
Mary Wise Conaway, Greenfield Farm Writers Residency at the University of Mississippi
Andrew Rendon, The Del Rendon Foundation
Keena Graham, Superintendent, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
Joe MacGown, Director of the MacGown Art Retreat and Studio (MARS)

Are you an artist who dreams of having the much-needed time and support you need to create? Look no further than your home state. Representatives from residency programs throughout Mississippi will share the benefits of their programs and how to navigate the application process.

Finding Creative Inspiration in Nature

Presenters:
Robert Poore, Landscape Architect, Native Habitats
Robin Whitfield, visual artist & executive director, Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp

This session brings together two creative voices—landscape architect & ecological designer Robert Poore, and watercolor painter & naturalist Robin Whitfield. United by their belief “everything is connected”, they explore how time in nature informs their practice and vision. Through story and reflection, they will invite participants to see how the patterns and processes of wild places inspire both art and design—revealing an exquisite order.

Igniting the Future

Panelists:
Stephen Brown, Owner & Founder, Briarwood Arts Center
Chelsea Young, Executive Director, Musical Expressions Experience
Heather Lacoste
Rebekah Pleasant Patterson

Is your organization looking for innovative ways to engage young people? Join us for a panel discussion with arts professionals who are intentional and devoted to meeting the ever-evolving needs of tomorrow’s artists, audiences, and art patrons. Bring your burning questions and biggest challenges!

ART BREAKS

Marta Szlubowska

Praised for her “warm lyricism and flawless technique” by Le soir (Belgium) and for her “gripping performance of music by Grazyna Bacewicz” by The Washington Post, Polish-American violinist Marta Szlubowska is a sought-after soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and concertmaster. Her concerts have taken her to over 15 countries throughout Europe and the Americas. She is the former Concertmaster and Soloist of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra in Jackson, MS (2005-2022). She is also a recipient of the prestigious Artist Fellowship and Project Grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the state arts agency. Marta loves to share her passion for music with all audiences and believes that music and art not only teach us many skills, but also enrich and change our lives for the better. Music and art connect us all on a deep, emotional level, something we all, as human beings, need.

DJ Java

Java Chatman, better known as DJ Java, is a seasoned radio host and DJ with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. His work has been featured on Mississippi Public Broadcasting and other radio stations, where he blends music, culture, and conversation to engage diverse audiences. Recognized for his energetic presence and smooth delivery, Java has built a reputation as both a trusted voice on the air and a crowd-moving DJ at live events. Whether behind the mic or the turntables, he connects people through rhythm, storytelling, and a deep passion for sound.