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About

Brush Strokes

Since 1978, the Meridian Council for the Arts has proudly served as the designated local arts agency for Meridian and Lauderdale County. Our mission is to promote and foster the arts in our community. Through our Community Art Grants Program, the annual Threefoot Festival, engaging workshops, and co-sponsored special events, we reach out to over 100,000 individuals each year, enriching our cultural landscape and making the arts accessible to diverse audiences.

 

We are supported by esteemed organizations, including the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the generous contributions of our community. Our commitment to community outreach has allowed us to provide over $200,000 in matching grants to art organizations, schools, and individual artists.  As we continue to expand our scope and influence, we look forward to broadening our reach and impact on the community through cultural arts and heritage initiatives. 

What We Do

What We Do

The Mission of the Meridian Council for the Arts is to foster and promote diverse art and cultural organizations, events, education and individual artists in Meridian and Lauderdale County, Mississippi, through leadership, partnership, collaboration, grants and services.

MCA Promotes & Provides Information

  • Maintains a website, including a list of arts organizations with links to their websites and a calendar of events.

  • Provides arts information to organizations and individuals (e.g. funding opportunities, available workshops, promotional opportunities, etc.).

  • Stages the annual Threefoot Festival, a juried fine arts show.

  • Serves as an advocate to the city, county, and state governmental bodies as well as the public and private school systems.

  • Represents Meridian in state and national organizations.

MCA Develops & Coordinates Programs

  • Provides funding for projects based on annual competitive application process.

  • Provides in-school programs.

  • Sponsors and co-sponsors a variety of arts programs.

  • Convenes formal and informal meetings of people involved or interested in the arts.

Image by Markus Spiske

Board of Directors

Board of Directors
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Deborah Martin

President

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Shea Leake

First Vice President

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Bob Purvis

Second Vice President

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Kate Cherry

Secretary

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David Stephens

Treasurer

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Sharon Pratt

Past President

Ed Abdella

Chris Bullock

Shelly Graham

Zena Limerick

Zachari Ruff

Bettye "Sunshine" Smith

Jerome Trahan

Elizabeth Williams

Wayne Williams

Arts Groups

Arts Groups
The Meridian Council for the Arts enjoys working relationships with many different types of organizations that help support the arts through information exchange, coordination of events and advocacy of the arts. 
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Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

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Industrial Heritage Museum at Soulé Steam Feed Works

City of Meridian

We want to extend a special thank you to the City of Meridian. Their continued support makes it possible for the Meridian Council for the Arts to support local artists, bring cultural richness to Meridian, and make art accessible to everyone!
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Craig Hitt

Director
Community Development

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Terrence Davis

Executive Director
Community Development

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