The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) 2023 State Arts Conference, Presented by The Westin Jackson, will take place on October 11 and 12 at the Westin in Jackson, Mississippi. 

“We have a full schedule of rich must-see content paired with carefully curated opportunities for connections, collaboration, and networking throughout the two days,” said MAC Executive Director David Lewis. “The sessions feature information applicable to organizations, individual artists, patrons, and just about anyone connected to the arts community.” 

New York Times Bestselling Illustrator Adam Trest will give the Keynote on Thursday morning. The conference features presentations and panels from social media influencer Landon Bryant, founder of the Tell Agency Amanda Wells, hip-hop artist and producer Stephen Brown “5th Child”, painter Ellen Langford, and many more. The conference will also feature performances by The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, Andrew Dillon Band, and Jackson Irish Dancers.  

This year, MAC is introducing an ArtTalk Dinner that will take place in the Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11. R.L. Boyce, Hill Country Blues Musician, and the 2023 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellow, will perform. The evening will also feature a conversation with General Nolen Bivens, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts (AFTA), and former Congressman Gregg Harper about the arts locally and nationally. 

As part of the recovery efforts for Rolling Fork, Mississippi, MAC is partnering with MAC grantee The Great Delta Bear Affair Festival to have their annual bear carving take place live at the conference. The carving will occur throughout both days, located across the street from the conference on the West Street side of the Thalia Mara Hall. The bear will be transported to Rolling Fork in time for the triumphant return of the Great Delta Bear Affair Festival, which takes place on October 28.  

Early registration at the $45 per person rate for the two-day conference (meals not included) closes on Monday, October 1. Registration after October 1 will increase to $60 per person.  

Registration for the two-day conference and tickets to the ArtTalk Dinner at the Mississippi Museum of Art at the $75 per person rate closes September 30.  

Those unable to attend the entire conference but interested in the ArtTalk Dinner can register at the $30 per person rate. Registration for the ArtTalk Dinner closes September 30. 

“We are grateful to the support from the Westin Jackson and the Mississippi Museum of Art for hosting us in their spaces for the conference,” said Lewis. “Many thanks also to Visit Jackson for their support. We could not have put together such a robust conference without our amazing partners this year!” 

To register for the conference and to see a full schedule and list of sessions, visit https://arts.ms.gov/state-arts-conference.