Today, the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) announced it is a recipient of a grant from the South Arts Resilience Fund. The $100,000 grant will enable MMA to create new initiatives to secure the institution’s financial stability and longevity.
The South Arts Resilience Fund grants were awarded to 34 small- and mid-sized arts organizations across the region to build their resilience through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants ranged from $30,000 to $100,000 for a total of $1.674 million. This fund, managed by South Arts, is part of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
“We are honored to be chosen by the South Arts Resilience Fund,” said Betsy Bradley, Director of the Mississippi Museum of Art. “This generous support provides the Museum with an opportunity to build our Center for Art and Public Exchange (CAPE) initiatives into potential new streams of revenue. We are quickly learning to adapt and adjust during this challenging time to best serve our community. By helping us to work toward removing some financial barriers, South Arts allows us to invest in our program while upholding our mission and values.”
The Mississippi Museum of Art was one of 500 organizations nominated and one of 95 invited to complete the full application and proposal. The applications were then reviewed by panels of experts who adjudicated each organization based on criteria including impact, vision, geographic scope, and service to the underserved.
“These organizations represent a cross-section of the creativity vital to our region,” said Susie Surkamer, CEO and President of South Arts. “Their work impacts artists and audiences across their respective states, the region, and the nation. These awards will allow them to reimagine their work in the face of the pandemic and emerge stronger than before. These are unprecedented times, and we are glad to provide arts organizations the flexibility and resources to explore their work,” continued Surkamer. “The strategies for resilience look different for each organization, but the ultimate goal is almost always the same: create deeper, more meaningful connections with audiences while working towards long-term sustainability.”
About The South Arts Resilience Fund
The South Arts Resilience Fund is part of South Arts’ comprehensive approach to supporting the arts throughout the pandemic. In April, South Arts distributed 450 grants of $1,000 directly to jazz artists nationwide. Throughout the summer, South Arts also awarded $725,000 in CARES Act funding to arts organizations supporting employment of their workers with an emphasis on rural, culturally specific, and statewide service organizations. Additionally, South Arts has adjusted their other programs to reflect new priorities over the course of the pandemic. Read more about the South Arts Resilience Fund and list of winners here.
About the Mississippi Museum of Art
Established in 1911, the Mississippi Museum of Art is dedicated to connecting Mississippi to the world and the power of art to the power of community. The Museum’s permanent collection includes paintings, photography, multimedia works, and sculpture by Mississippi, American, and international artists. The largest art museum in the state, the Mississippi Museum of Art offers a vibrant roster of exhibitions, public programs, artistic and community partnerships, educational initiatives, and opportunities for exchange year-round. Programming is developed inclusively with community involvement to ensure a diversity of voices and perspectives are represented. Located at 380 South Lamar Street in downtown Jackson, the Museum is committed to honesty, equity, and inclusion. The Mississippi Museum of Art and its programs are sponsored in part by the City of Jackson and Visit Jackson. Support is also provided in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Mississippi Museum of Art Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11AM to 7PM; Senior Hours Tuesday through Thursday 10AM to 11AM; Friday through Sunday 11AM to 5PM. For more information, visit msmuseumart.org.
