SAAC
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      • SAAC Artist Store
    • Discretionary Grants & Awards
    • Fundraising >
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      • "Arts & Eats" Cookbook >
        • Cookbook Products
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      • Arts in Excellence Awards
      • Barn Quilt Trail
      • Join Hands
      • Music Trail
      • Untitled!
    • Buzzy's Art Contest
    • Dollyfest - a fundraiser
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OVERVIEW

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The Starkville Area Arts Council was formed in 1996 after a group of art-loving citizens got together and held a small arts festival near downtown Starkville. That small festival evolved into the Cotton District Arts Festival: one of the largest public art festivals in the South. Now, more than 20 years later, SAAC sponsors the Cotton District Arts Festival, runs various art and art education outreach programs in Starkville and Oktibbeha County to fulfill its mission to build a strong, creative, connected community through the arts. SAAC appreciates the support of the City of Starkville, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Oktibbeha County, National Endowment for the Arts, Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Development Authority, Del Rendon Foundation, 4-County Electric Foundation, ATMOS Energy, and various local businesses and individuals.

​MISSION

The mission of Starkville Area Arts Council is to build a strong, creative, connected community through art. 

We accomplish this mission through 2 primary program areas: Art Education & Outreach and The Creative Economy. Each program area includes several initiatives that take different approaches to build a community through art by creating inclusive access to the arts and art education, and by promoting art-related economic development and tourism. In addition, SAAC has a small discretionary grant pool to support community projects, teachers, and art organizations.

What We Do

The Starkville Area Arts Council sponsors a number of programs and events to help us achieve our mission. For detail on each of these, click on "Programs & Events" in the navigation menu. Here is a quick look at our current, and a few past, activities.

Arts Education & Outreach
  • Art Partners
  • Summer Scholarships
  • Little Free Libraries
  • Art Workshops
  • Art in the Park
  • Community Outreach Events (including Pumpkin Palooza)
Creative Economy
  • Cotton District Arts Festival
  • Business Skills Workshops
  • Art in Public Places
  • Art Markets
  • Artist Store
  • Artist Talks
  • Singer Songwriter Workshops
Fundraising
  • Forks & Corks
  • Annual Drive & Meeting
  • Various other small fundraisers
Discretionary Grants
Gone, but not forgotten:
Not everything remains viable as an ongoing, permanent program. This might be the end of a project, or simply a shift of interest and focus. Regardless of the reason, here are a few places where we’ve been and what’s gotten us here today.
  • Annual Gala
  • Art Walk
  • Home & Garden Expo
  • ​​Oktibbeha County Barn Quilt Trail
  • Untitled!

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or just feel like saying hello, feel free to stop by our downtown office during office hours, give us a call, or shoot us an email. We'd love to hear from you!
Mailing Address: 
PO Box 2070 Starkville, MS 39760

Email: 

[email protected]
[email protected]

​Phone:  662.268.6231

Social Media
Want to stay updated on the latest news and what we're up to? Check out our social media and follow us there!
SAAC
CDAF
Websites
StarkvilleArts.net
StarkvegasArt.org
CDAFestival.com
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109 W Main St 
Starkville, Mississippi 39759
[email protected]
662.268.6231
Hours: Tues - Fri 10am - 4pm
( remote Mon; closed Sat-Sun )
Donate
SAAC is sustained by donors and sponsors. Donations amounts are flexible and can be recurring. Learn more by clicking the button above.
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Our newsletter
Keep up with area arts news and events with our semi-monthly newsletter.
Click to Volunteer!
We need you - whether or not you're an artist! Our biggest 2 events (Art in the Park and Cotton District Arts Festival) require dozens of helping hands, so jump right in!
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©2024 Starkville Area Arts Council. All Rights Reserved.
​#starkvillearts #starkvilleartscouncil #starkvilleareaartscouncil

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SAAC is an equal opportunity organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, operation of programs, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for the public, all members of our staff, volunteers, vendors, and artist communities.
  • Home
    • More About SAAC
    • Board & Staff
    • Annual Report, Strategic Plan, and Public Disclosures
  • Calendar
  • Programs & Events
    • Art Education & Outreach
    • Creative Economy >
      • SAAC Artist Store
    • Discretionary Grants & Awards
    • Fundraising >
      • Forks & Corks
      • "Arts & Eats" Cookbook >
        • Cookbook Products
    • Other Projects (Current & Past) >
      • Arts in Excellence Awards
      • Barn Quilt Trail
      • Join Hands
      • Music Trail
      • Untitled!
    • Buzzy's Art Contest
    • Dollyfest - a fundraiser
  • Blog & News
  • Donate & Help
  • Resources