Delta Blues Press Release

May, 2017

Delta Blues Museum Awarded MAC Grant for Continuing Education

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Mississippi's First Music Museum to utilize funds in general operations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Clarksdale, Mississippi - May, 2017] - Delta Blues Museum has been awarded a $500 mini grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) to allow Museum Director Shelley Ritter to attend the Southeastern Museums Conference annual meeting in September.

"This conference is a wonderful opportunity to network with museum professionals, learn about current trends in the museum field and to explore partnerships with museums along Highway 61,"said Director Shelley Ritter. "The Delta Blues Museum shares many tourists with New Orleans and participation in this conference will provide an opportunity to collaborate with other museums to create better visitor experiences. This aligns with the mission of the Mississippi Arts Commission to support professional development opportunities and to communicate the story of the arts in Mississippi."

About the Mississippi Arts Commission

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 Mississippi Arts Commission is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

For information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Melia Dicker, Communications Director, 601-359-6546 or mdicker@arts.

About the Delta Blues Museum

Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and re-organized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is Mississippi's oldest music museum. A 2013 recipient of the IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Services - the nation's highest honor for museum and library service to the community - and a 2014 recipient of the National Arts & Humanities' Youth Program Award, the Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form, the Blues. The Museum is also recognized as a Great River Road Interpretive Center.

For more information on events or programs, please call (662) 627-6820, or visit the Museum web site at www.deltabluesmuseum.org.

Members of the press may register in the press room on the Museum's website to access further information, downloadable images and related materials.

Shelly Ritter, Director

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This newsletter is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and, in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

This site is made possible through support from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Rock River Foundation.