Grassroots Art Association Launches Fundraiser to Support MS Arts

One of the most unique features of Mississippi is its wide variety of art. It drives tourism and Mississippi’s music, food, writers and performers are known around the world.

The Mississippi Presenters’ Network is a grassroots organization serving these important cultural resources of the state, supports community arts organizations through collaborative funding and services.

Heading up MSPN is Wayne Andrews, who also serves as the director of the Yoknapawtapha Arts Council in Oxford.

Tourism plays a key role in Mississippi’s economy. In its Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report, the Mississippi Development Authority reports that “Mississippi’s unique tourism assets, including unique culture, culinary, history, music, natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities, contributed to a $6.343 billion industry.”

The MSPN recently secured grants from South Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission to support their work. Arts organizations across the state have joined their partnership launching a fundraiser to support their efforts to enrich the creative culture across the state.

MSPN felt the best way to highlight the arts as well as generate funding for organizations with smaller capacities would be to spotlight the contributions of creative voices across the state. The fundraiser includes a raffle of items donated by multiple arts organizations, such as Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Lodge Cookware and Fat Possum Records.

A donation of $10 earns one entry into the raffle, and each additional $10 is another entry.

The Mississippi Presenters’ Network has begun accepting donations online for the fundraiser. The winners of each raffle will be announced the following Monday.

“We are excited that partners from across the state are both being highlighted and helping us to raise the funds that support the services that help their community,” Andrews said.

For more information about the MSPN or to donate an item, contact Andrews at mspresentersnetwork@gmail.com or 662-236-6429.