State Arts Conference
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 is a great place to grab lunch during the conference. We recommend reserving a table in advance.
We are currently communicating with our partners to provide additional opportunities.
Tentative 2025 Schedule
Sessions listed below will take place at The Westin Jackson unless specified otherwise.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025:
9 a.m. – NOON – Free Pre-Conference for Teaching Artists – Performance to Purpose: From Showing Off to Showing Up for Students (space is limited and pre-registration is required)
1:00 p.m. – Registration
2:00 p.m. – Sister Cities International
3:00 p.m. – Art Break – Marta Szlubowska
3:15 p.m. – Networking Breakouts
5 p.m. – “City With Soul” Welcome Reception at the Arts Center of Mississippi
7:30 p.m. – Screening of MPB’s Medgar Evers Documentary “Everlasting”
Thursday, October 16, 2025:
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. – Welcome
9:15 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Keynote – Taiwo Gaynor
10 – 10:15 a.m. – Announcements
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – ArtBreak 1 – DJ Java
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Breakout 1
- America 250 – Jackson 1 & 2
- A Prescription for Art? Yes Please! – Jackson 3 & 4
- Igniting the Future – Natchez 2
- Finding Creative Inspiration in Nature – Natchez 1
- A Poetry Reading & Workshop – Oxford
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch on Your Own
1 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – ArtBreak 2 – The Delta Krauts German Band
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Breakout 2
- Behind the Build: How Three BFA Projects Took Shape – Jackson 1 & 2
- Mississippi Residencies – Jackson 3 & 4
- Creating Unique Spaces with Your Digital Art – Natchez 1
- Creating Outdoor Events with Accessibility in Mind – Natchez 2
- Budget Workshop – Oxford
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – ArtBreak 3 – Keith Johnson
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Breakout 3
- Beyond the Mural – Jackson 1
- Building Sustainable and Ethical AI Policies for the Arts – Jackson 3 & 4
- From Vision to Funding: Turning Bold Ideas into Funded Projects – Natchez 2
All Day Thursday Events:
Artist Roster Headshots – Pre-registration REQUIRED.
All sessions are subject to change.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Our host hotel is fully booked, but there are still plenty of options available in the Jackson area.
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.
“City With Soul” Welcome Reception at the Arts Center of Mississippi
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a welcome reception hosted by Visit Jackson at the Arts Center of Mississippi. Mayor John Horhn will share valuable insights about the arts and culture scene within the city. We hope you will come to network and enjoy an evening filled with creative discussions.
Screening of MPB’s Medgar Evers Documentary “Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers”
7:30 p.m.
EVERLASTING: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers – An MPB Original Production honoring the life, work, and impact of one of Mississippi’s most courageous voices. This powerful two-hour documentary features interviews with Evers’ family, colleagues, and historians. Everlasting offers a moving, personal look at his legacy in the fight for civil rights.
CONFIRMED SESSIONS
Session information will be updated as it is received.
Performance to Purpose: From Showing Off to Showing Up for Students -Pre-Conference, October 15
Presenters:
Amanda Koonlaba, Visual Artist, Mississippi Whole Schools, Teaching Artist Coordinator
Erin Mulligan, Mississippi Whole Schools, Professional Development Coordinator
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.
Sister Cities International – Opening Session, October 15
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.
Taiwo Gaynor – Keynote, October 16
Taiwo Gaynor is Chief Content Officer at Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), where he directs communications, operations, and content strategy across television, radio, news, and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of experience in media and production, his work has earned numerous regional and national awards, including Southeast Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, NETA, and Telly Awards. Gaynor is committed to creative storytelling that highlights Mississippi’s heritage, uplifts unsung voices, and connects communities through media.
America 250
Presenters: Dr. Stuart Rockoff, Executive Director of the Mississippi Humanities Council
David Lewis, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission
As Mississippi prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the America250 Mississippi Grants Program invites communities across the state to take part in this historic commemoration. Established by the Mississippi250 Commemoration Commission, this program aims to empower local organizations to honor their unique histories, foster a deeper understanding of Mississippi’s vital role in the American story, and inspire meaningful engagement with our shared heritage. Come hear how these grants can help your community create lasting legacies that will help future generations of Mississippians appreciate and celebrate the rich and diverse tapestry of our state’s past.
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:
Adrianna Smith, POWER Program Coordinator of LIFE of Mississippi
Cameron Stubbs, Oxford Mayor’s Commission for Disability Issues (unable to attend)
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:
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)
Moderator: Saint Allen Austin, Project Director at Sipp Culture
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:
Chelsea Young, Executive Director, Musical Expressions Experience
Heather Lacoste
Rebekah Pleasant Patterson
Moderator: Stephen Brown, Owner & Founder, Briarwood Arts Center
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!
Budget Workshop
Presenters:
Dawn Buck, New Stage Theatre
Nicole Smith, Special Events, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Designed to support MAC grant applicants, this session will provide essential tips and tricks for crafting strong, accurate budgets that align with MAC budget form requirements. Learn how to effectively document expenses, clarify matching funds, and avoid common pitfalls in the grant budget process. Whether you’re applying for general operating support or a specific arts project, this workshop will help ensure your budget is accurate, which will strengthen your application. Ideal for new and returning grantees, the session includes practical tools and examples as well as strategies for tackling budgets for grants and foundations outside of MAC.
Beyond the Mural: Public Art as Community Infrastructure
Presenters: Julian Rankin, Walter Anderson Museum of Art / Plowshare Creative
Earl Dismuke, Artist / Plowshare Creative
Public artworks give dimension to our world. They can be landmarks, guideposts, gathering places, and teaching tools. Creating them can also be complicated, especially with large-scale sculptures that may contain thousands of pounds of steel, glass, and concrete. Through a series of real-world case studies, this session charts the public art life cycle through fundraising and community-engaged design to engineering, fabrication, and installation. Learn how to assemble a team of creators and fabricators and how to navigate the complexities of public funding, public input, and industrial-grade logistics. Visualize how the stories in your own communities can be amplified through installations that support tourism, economic development, and mission-based impact.
Creating Unique Spaces with Your Digital Art
Presenter: Wade Acuff, Digital Arts
In today’s creative landscape, digital art is more than just pixels on a screen. It is a dynamic way to connect with audiences, build communities, and expand artistic practice beyond traditional boundaries. This session explores how artists can break into the world of digital art by using interactive online platforms and digital tools for creation and engagement. Participants will gain insights into online platforms, strategies for showcasing work digitally, and methods for fostering authentic interaction with viewers in collaborative online spaces. Whether you’re new to digital art or looking to strengthen your online presence, this session offers practical approaches to reaching wider audiences and deepening creative connections in the digital age.
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.
Delta Krauts
Delta Krauts is a seven-member traditional professional German Band. Members are longtime, well-known Mississippi professional musicians. The group first came together in October 2011 to meet the German music needs of a local Eurofest organizer. Delta Krauts presents exciting and fun, authentic traditional German Band music for all of its performances and has a large repertoire of authentic German/Austrian music, including for Alphorn. We are available for Oktoberfest performances, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, private parties, festivals, and any other special events, or just for some good ole Alpenhorn playing! Members of Delta Krauts are Bob Davidson (Trumpet), Anne Berthold (Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Alphorn), David Battaglia (Saxophone), Jeff Callaway (Trombone), Jason Harrell (Tuba), Sherwood “Bud” Berthold (Drums), and Tony Santangelo (Accordion). Need a good German Band?? Delta Krauts is available to perform for you! Just tell us what you need and we’ll get the job done!!
Keith Johnson
Keith is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist, harmonica player, and songwriter. He has amassed a songwriting catalog, with multiple songs released on his debut album, “Come to Mississippi.” Keith is in the process of carrying on and upholding a family legacy in the entertainment industry as he is the great-nephew of blues icon Muddy Waters. He is also the grandson of the late Texcellar Fields, a gospel singer and radio host. He was born in Glen Allen, Mississippi, a small town in the heartland of the Mississippi Delta. Keith graduated from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering and a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management.