The Bologna Performing Arts Center (BPAC) has been awarded a $1,000 mini-grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). The grant is a portion of the $1.27 million in grants the MAC will award in 2013-2014.
The funding will be used to employ the talents of teaching artist Tammy Stanford, director of dance at the Mississippi School of the Arts, during the 2014 Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute (MSAI). The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“It is an important and necessary role the arts play in each community,” said Tom Pearson, executive director of MAC. “The economic impact, quality of life and value of one’s heritage are vital to each community. The funding for our communities in this endeavor is an important role the agency plays to support the creative, economically sound place to call home.”
The Arts Education Coordinator at the BPAC Whitney Cummins works directly with grants from the MAC.
“The Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute was established in 1998 to provide exceptional arts instruction and enrichment for the young people of the Delta and the state of Mississippi,” said Cummins. “MSAI strives to present accomplished and experienced teaching artists from across the region. We are thrilled to have Ms. Stanford as the dance instructor for MSAI Arts Camp, a two-week residential camp for young artists ages 12-18.”
MSAI Arts Camp will be held June 8-21 in 2014. MSAI will also host PLUS Camp, a week-long day camp for ages 5-12, in July of 2014. Registration for both camps will open in January.
The Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, serves the residents of the state by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, the MAC serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.
For information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Susan Liles at 601-359-6031 or sliles@arts.ms.us. For information about arts education programming at the Bologna Performing Arts Center, contact Whitney Cummins at 662-846-4844 or wcummins@deltastate.edu.
