The Meridian Council for the Arts (MCA) enriches the lives of more than 60,000 Meridian area residents each year.

Founded in 1978 as the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County's official arts agency, MCA makes the arts accessible to children as well as adults and seniors, through a variety of arts-related programs, events and classes.

Research studies prove that by providing early Arts programs, minds can be opened, spirits renewed and revelations embraced. Through arts instruction, children's test scores increase and dropout rates decrease. Violence is minimized and the work force is enhanced.

The arts beautify our city, show we care about who we are as citizens and contribute to how we develop as a community.

Meridian Arts Council

Since its opening in 1970, the Meridian Museum of Art has served the people of Meridian, East Mississippi and West Alabama as the region's premier public museum. Housed in a nationally listed landmark building, the museum offers more free programming than any other museum in the state, with over thirty exhibitions annually. These range from traditionally decorative arts to ethnographic and tribal materials, photography, crafts and artworks by contemporary Mississippi and Alabama artists. These regional artists are also featured in the growing permanent collection, along with a fine collection of 18th and 19th century English portraits, 20th century American photography, sculpture, works on paper and contemporary decorative arts. Special classes and programs encourage participation by the Meridian Community College , as well as city and county schools in Lauderdale County and the entire bi-state area. Open Tuesday - Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and holidays. Admission is free.
From I 20/59 take the 22nd Avenue exit to downtown Meridian.
Turn left on 8th Street to 25th Avenue. Turn left; go one block.

www.meridianmuseum.org

628 25th Avenue,
P.O. Box 5573,
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 693-1501

A professional association of musicians that provide the city of Meridian and surrounding areas with quality symphonic musical experiences. They include classic symphony concerts and events incorporation other performing arts such as jazz, opera, Broadway music and ballet. Under the direction of internationally acclaimed conductor Claire Fox Hillard, MSO continues a 36 year tradition of integrity and excellence.

The Meridian Children's Chorus is an independent, non-profit community arts organization founded and organized in 1995. They have performed as a regular part of The Meridian Council for the Arts' Arts in the Park Festival and in concert

with Meridian's Youth Orchestra Upbeat!, and Meridian Symphony Orchestra locally. They have also performed in Carnegie Hall twice, in Canada with the Canadian Children's Chorus and in the Canterbury Cathedral in London. The founder and director of Meridian Children's Chorus is Vivian Hurley, 601-693-7910.

Named in honor of Ronnie Miller, an instructor of theatre and speech and long-time supporter of the Arts at MCC and in the Meridian community. The Miller Gallery hosts annually 6 exhibits of varying art and artists from Mississippi and throughout the US. The Gallery is a teaching extension of the MCC Fine Arts Dept. and the community. Curator for the gallery is John Marshall. For more information contact Mr. Marshall at (601) 484-8647 or email: jmarshal@mcc.cc.ms.us

www.mcc.cc.ms.us/millergallery.com

Variety of plays, lectures & musical events at Meridian Community College.

St. Paul's Music Series "Brown Bag" Concert features different artist each concert and is held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1116 23rd Ave. The concerts start at 12:05 p.m. and end at 12:50 p.m. Free / Bring your own "Brown Bag Lunch" For dates and more info call 693-2501.

Arts Festival full of art and entertainment, featured juried Art Competition, top quality crafts, children's arts area, regional band competition, art competition, vendors and a varied food court. Arts in the Park is sponsored by the Meridian Arts Council the first weekend in April at Bonita Lakes Park.

Meridian Little Theatre, the state's largest subscription community theatre is located on Hwy 39 North in a theatre building that is second to none. MLT produces 4 regular plays and 1 youth play each year. Season Tickets are sold each year but a limited number of individual play tickets are often available. The theatre "Green Room" is available for rent for receptions and parties except when a play is being performed. Call 601-482-6371 for season ticket, play, try-out and green room rental information.

www.meridianlittletheatre.com/

UPBEAT! Was reactivated in June 2002 after a two year period of inactivity when there was no director. A meeting was held at Peavey Melody Music on Sat. June 29, 2002 to elect new officers and transfer all UPBEAT! records, information and equipment to the newly elected officers. Rather than limiting the members of the reactivated UPBEAT! To area youth, it is now a true community organization that is open to those of any age who want to learn to play a stringed instrument and perform with the orchestra. The current members range in age from 6 to 58 and there are people on the waiting list to begin instruction. The new purpose of the organization is to offer individuals an opportunity to learn to play a stringed instrument as well as participate in a group that performs throughout the community. The group ranges from beginning students to those who have played previously in symphony orchestras. The less experienced players learn from those who are more knowledgeable. Weekly classes and orchestra rehearsals are held at Peavey Melody Music. The following 5 groups meet weekly for one hour of instruction: Beginners I, II, and III, Intermediate I and Advanced. Rehearsals are held for two hours each week for al members.

The Wechsler Community Arts Center Association is a 501 C (3) non profit organization that is dedicated to restoring and renovating the historical building known as Wechsler.

Wechsler is the first brick building built in the State of Mississippi with bond money to provide the opportunity to African American children to get an education all the way through to a high school degree. Wechsler has played an important role in the development of thousands of students who have gone through its portals. Many have become lawyers, doctors, teachers and other professionals. It is important to restore this historical building because it can play a vital role in the restoration of a once thriving neighborhood. It can also restore the pride that once permeated the area. This building will offer a showcase of historical value when tourists visit our city. The building is already the home to many art and cultural programs for the neighborhood and city. For more information contact, Jesse Brewster, 601-479-7952.

YPOP, National Recording Choir, has been in existence 6 years. It was founded by William Myles. The choir is made up of 30 young people from different backgrounds and locations. They travel throughout the state of Mississippi and southern regions of the US providing a message of hope and inspiration to many young people. Contact William Myles at 601-693-9648 for more information.

The Barber Shop Chorus was established in 2000 at Central United Methodist Church. The Chorus has 20 active members ranging in age from 13-87 years. They perform 15 or more times a year. Their performances are for civic clubs, churches and private parties. The Barber Shop Chorus makes donations to Hope Village for Children and other organizations in the community as well as participating in events that benefit local organizations. They are always looking for new members. Auditions are held from time to time to solicit new members. All of their music is performed accapella. Director-Ken Patterson, 601-485-4113 or Manager-Billy Melton-601-485-2312.

The Wesley Belles are "singing ambassadors" for Wesley House Community Center Inc. We strive to bring help for those in need through donations made to this ministry and in turn offer musical programs that are both inspiring and uplifting to the human spirit. All donations go directly to services for the less fortunate. Above all, we love God and try to please Him, in thought, word and deed, striving to love others as He loves us and working as unto Him.

The Wesley Belles have recorded 2 CDs and donate all proceeds from their sales to the Wesley House. Community service is important to the Wesley Belles. They sing for children in the hospital, shut ins and residents at Aldersgate Retirement Community. For more information contact, Ginger Stevens, 601-485-4736.

The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center,
a $50 million development to be located on 175 acres at Bonita Lakes, will feature a Hall of Fame honoring Mississippi artists, an outdoor amphitheater,
an indoor concert hall and an artists-in-residence village. This ambitious project will celebrate the achievements of Mississippi's many creative geniuses and provide a forum to nurture future generations of writers, musicians, actors, dancers and other artists.
http://www.msarts.org