The Starkville Area Arts Council is excited to announce the next exhibit in the Art in Public Places (AiPP) program featuring works by artist Caroline Hatfield.
 
The hybrid exhibit will be on display from May 3 to July 4, 2022, in the Partnership Lobby in Downtown Starkville and online on the SAAC website (starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy).
 
Hatfield’s creative practice utilizes sculpture, installation, and extended media to explore themes of landscape and science fiction. She is a recipient of the Trawick Contemporary Art Prize as well as a South Arts Cross-Sector Impact Grant among many other honors and awards. Hatfield was appointed Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of Sculpture at Mississippi State University in September 2021.  Read more about Hatfield on the online exhibit page.
 
The exhibit will kick off with an opening reception on Tuesday, May 3, from 5:30-7 pm in the Greater Starkville Development Partnership lobby in downtown Starkville. Wine provided by SAAC.
 
As part of SAAC’s AiPP series, works may be listed for sale. SAAC provides reception and publicity, handles the collecting and reporting of MS State Sales Taxes on behalf of the artist for any works sold while taking a substantially reduced commission (20% instead of 50% usually charged by galleries). The artist keeps 80% of the proceeds. Please contact SAAC for more information on purchasing works (arts@starkvillearts.org).

 
#starkvillearts #ArtinPublicPlaces #aippshowcase #AiPP

Each year, the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) offer grants that strengthen our state's arts and culture economy. MAC provides critical general operating funds, while MDA provides Visit Mississippi grants to promote tourism-oriented events like Cotton District Arts Festival and Forks & Corks. Thank you for your support of these two agencies. In addition, critical state and federal stimulus funds in 2020 and 2021 helped keep the lights on. As a steward of charitable resources invested in our communities, I'm writing on behalf of SAAC to share highlights and input with the hopes that it will further assist your work.
 
Here is a snapshot of how funds given to SAAC impacted Oktibbeha County. One-third of our community lives in poverty, which means access is vital. Although falling under various programs, collectively, in 2021, we:

• Hosted the annual Cotton District Arts Festival after a two-year hiatus
• Provided continuous arts programming at three after-school programs for low-income youth
• Finished development of the Arts & Eats Cookbook, a celebration of our 25th Anniversary and the arts and culture in Starkville
• Collaborated with Mississippi Presenter's Network and YAC (Oxford) to offer free virtual business workshops for creatives (statewide)
• Hosted six virtual/in-person art exhibits
• Created two major public artworks, providing activities for volunteers, creating collaborations with Mississippi State University, and drawing attention to Oktibbeha County's many creative assets.

Although financial support in itself is tremendous, the impact that this support provides must be addressed in order to sustain and secure the future of our state's cultural assets. These issues are briefly outlined below, which we hope helps you in your work.
 
1. Additional funding for essential organizations like the Mississippi Arts Commission means that they are able to award larger grants to keep arts programs going for the average Mississippian. MAC provides funding for countless arts organizations and presenters in the state. Without essential funding for these organizations, the gears that keep the arts going, programs and activities that sustain the arts in Mississippi would cease to exist.
2. Grant funds that can be allocated towards capital improvement and purchases are rare but allow organizations to grow exponentially. Although many arts organizations and presenters have their own facilities that would benefit from funds for capital improvements, many organizations do not own their own facilities, including SAAC. The growth potential is not limited to simply having more square footage. It would ultimately allow arts organizations to expand programming to allow for more low- to no-cost programs for the impoverished communities we serve.
 
Thank you for your service and support of the arts, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Development Authority, and other cultural programs across the state.Your support of these programs makes the difference of not just surviving, but thriving.