Advocacy | Support The Arts in Mississippi

Talking to Your Representatives

Make an appointment with your Legislators

Sample Email: (or call)

Dear Senator (or Representative),

I am a constituent in your district and would like to schedule a time during the legislative session to meet with you to discuss the impact of the arts in your district and the meaningful support of state funding for the arts through the Mississippi Arts Commission.

I'd love to you about the grant(s) that I have received because of the Mississippi Arts Commission and the impact that those grants have had in Mississippi.

If you are unable to meet with me while you are in Jackson, I would love to visit when you are in district to show you the impact of the arts locally!

I look forward to hearing from you soon and to our conversation. Thank you for your leadership and service.

(Your Name)

(Your Title, Your Organization)

Find out what state arts funding from MAC has been invested in their district.

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency established by the state legislature as the official grant making agency for the arts in Mississippi. Funds which the Arts Commission utilizes to give out grants to artists and arts organizations are voted on every year by the state legislature during the session. Most of this funding comes from the Appropriations bill, though from time to time other bills in support of the arts may be introduced.

As an advocate for increased arts funding in your community, the most effective information to arm yourself with is to know where MAC has given grants in your/their district.

How to use MAC grant list resource

1) Look up your state districts HERE

2) To see a list of current grantees, you can visit MAC's website:

https://arts.ms.gov/grant-recipients/

3) Contact your legislators, set a meeting and/or send an email thank you for their support of the arts and arts funding where you live!

Why State Arts Funding Matters: Talking Points

This year, there are three primary asks in the FY27 Legislative Session.

Support a $400,000 increase for the Mississippi Arts Commission's General Fund will allow MAC to fully fund its highest scoring grant applicants for the first time in recent history!

Support an increase to the Building Fund for the Arts. This is based upon the application pool for BFA funding. An increase of 3.8 million from the Capital Expense Fund would allow MAC to respond to the CURRENT expressed needs for arts facility maintenance, additions and repair.

We ask that you continue to maintain funding to support arts integration in education through the continued work of MAC's Mississippi Whole Schools Program.

Tell your representatives THANK YOU and how much MAC funding and the support of the Arts Commission has meant to you.

Tips for meeting with your elected officials:

Have a conversation about why the arts are meaningful to you and what support of the arts has meant in your community.

If you are meeting as a group, assign roles to each person and note who will speak first and what aspects you will each cover. Have someone take notes and let us know how it went. The leader should ask for support and thank them for their time. Ideally keep your meeting to 20 minutes (more or less) as a rule of thumb.

If you are able, use data or compelling examples related to making a case for support of the arts / arts education.

Ask your representative to support state funding for the arts through the Mississippi Arts Commission and other state funding opportunities.

Thank your official for meeting and invite them to visit with you when they are in district.

Follow up! Send a thank you note and if possible, attach materials that supports your ask or illustrates the power of the arts.