Delta Blues Press Release

October 08, 2020

DELTA BLUES MUSEUM RECEIVES MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION GRANT

Clarksdale, Mississippi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Clarksdale, Mississippi - October 08, 2020] -- Delta Blues Museum has been awarded a $19,400 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. This grant is a portion of the $1.3 million in grants the Commission will award in 2020-2021 and will be used to support ongoing operating expenses. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

"At a time when the arts community is still very much reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are truly delighted to be able to provide these funds to worthy organizations across the state," said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC. "We applaud and are proud to support the efforts these organizations have made to keep the arts alive in their communities."

Museum Director Shelley Ritter applauds the state arts commission for recognizing that Delta Blues Museum as an essential economic anchor for Clarksdale. "We are grateful to Mississippi Arts Commission for these critical funds that help keep our doors open to visitors during COVID-19, as we continue to offer Blues fans a safe way to celebrate this important music and visit us here in the Delta, in the place where Blues music began."

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.