Mississippi Arts Commission

"Established in 1988, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy contributions to, or achieved artistic excellence in, the state of Mississippi.

The awards ceremony is traditionally held in downtown Jackson at the Old Capitol Museum during the month of February.

Recipients must agree to attend the award ceremony in person in order to receive the honor; posthumous nominations are not accepted.

King, Bobby Rush, Charlie Pride, Charlie Musselwhite, and Marty Stuart; renown writers such as Willie Morris, Richard Ford, Margaret Walker, Beth Henley, John Grisham, and Natasha Trethewey; noteworthy visual artists such as Sam Gilliam, William Dunlap, Joe Overstreet, Gwendolyn Magee; and arts organizations such as the USA International Ballet Competition, Natchez Opera Festival, New Stage Theatre, and the Tougaloo College Art Collection (among many, many others).

This method calls for bringing the arts into daily classroom instruction with sequential, comprehensive instruction in dance, theatre, visual arts, and music.. Evaluations of the program have exhibited an increase in standardized test scores, community involvement, parental involvement, and overall teacher morale.

State Champions receive a cash prize in addition to an all-expense-paid trip to compete at the National Contest.

Members of these adjudicated rosters are eligible to be hired using Mississippi Arts Commission grant funds.

The show features interviews with Mississippi artists, musicians, craftspeople, and others involved in arts and culture from around the state.

[12] In 2012, the Mississippi Arts Commission revived the journal as an online publication including "new, original documentary work and writing, photo essays, films, reviews, interviews, and more.