Delta Blues Press Release

July 16, 2020

DELTA BLUES MUSEUM RECEIVES MAC CARES EMERGENCY GRANT FROM MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION

Clarksdale, Mississippi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Clarksdale, Mississippi - July 16, 2020] -- Director Shelley Ritter announced today that Delta Blues Museum has been awarded a $11,100 MAC CARES Emergency Grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. This grant is a portion of the approximately $441,100 in CARES Act COVID-19 recovery funding MAC received from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant awarded to Delta Blues Museum will be used to support the immediate and necessary operational functions of the Museum.

"We are thankful for this much needed support during these uncertain times," says Ritter, adding, "This type of support is crucial to sustain the Museum as we work to address the challenges of how to safely serve our audience."

Using funds from the CARES Act, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded almost $30 million to the nation's 50 states, the District of Columbia and several territories including Puerto Rico. A state arts agency, MAC established the MAC CARES Emergency Grants program to distribute these funds and provide economic relief as quickly as possible while focusing assistance on independent arts organizations with staff.

"Like much of the economy, the arts sector in Mississippi and the nation have faced significant challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic," said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC. "Closing facilities and canceling events equates to lost revenue. We are thankful that the Federal government has recognized this need and has responded."

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 for Mississippi and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and arts education. For information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Anna Ehrgott, Communications Director, 601-359-6546 or aehrgott@arts.ms.gov.

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 first 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.

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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.