Delta Blues Press Release

October 28, 2020

DELTA BLUES MUSEUM ANNOUNCES NEW VIRTUAL TOURS THROUGH "RAPID RESPONSE" GRANT

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Mississippi Arts Commission funds to support online programming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Clarksdale, Mississippi - October 28, 2020] - Delta Blues Museum is announcing the creation of new Virtual Tours made possible through funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission's Rapid Response grant program. MAC Rapid Response grants were created to support small-scale arts activities in Mississippi communities and to adapt artistic focused work in an online setting. These funds are part of an expanded version of MAC's Minigrants program, designed to quickly assist with the urgent needs of art organizations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new virtual tours - created by Mississippi filmmaker Coop Cooper - feature Clarksdale musicians Lee Williams, Terry "Big T" Williams, and James "Super Chikan" Johnson as personal tour guides for visitors, allowing viewers to experience Museum exhibits while learning more about the Blues artists that influenced these local musicians personally and shaped their professional careers.

Museum Director Shelley Ritter says these virtual tours were created in response to requests from many supporters who expressed an interest in visiting the Museum safely by visiting virtually, adding, "We are grateful to MAC for supporting this project which not only supports our local artists but also helps the Museum expand our storytelling. Taking a tour with these musicians and learning about those from whom they learned demonstrates the incredible power of the Blues and its perpetuity. We enjoyed working with filmmaker Coop Cooper to create these tours and hope our fans and supporters will, too."

This project 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. Delta Blues Museum's new virtual tours are free to the public and accessible online via the Museum's website.

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.