(Jackson, Miss) -- The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center has been awarded a $28,000/year, two-year grant for operating support from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.5 million in grants the Commission will award in 2011-2012. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Organizations across the state who receive grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission continue to prove that arts programs are vital to the success of their community. The grants awarded by the Commission provide funding for the staging of festivals, theatre performances and many other arts-related activities," said Malcolm White, Executive Director of MAC. "The arts provide a positive environment for learning, both in the classroom and in communities. Arts funding has a significant multiplier and for every dollar spent in the creative sector, eight dollars are realized in the local economy. That's a good investment for any business."

The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive partners with the Indianola Promise Community, an initiative through Delta Health Alliance, to present "The Art of Living Smart" healthy lifestyles day camp. Designed and taught by our staff, local educators and working artists, and assisted by student counselors from Mississippi Valley State and Delta State Universities who reflect the diversity of our community, the Art of Living Smart teaches young people, ages 6-15 years old, to make healthier lifestyle choices through the vehicle of the visual and performing arts. This summer more than 120 campers will complete the seven week program.

The Art of Living Smart has become the heart of our programming. Using the arts as our vehicle to teach health and wellness, we are able to improve literacy, instill a love of learning, and enhance self esteem. Building on that core program, our visiting artists enhance and strengthen these aims throughout the year with performances and workshops at the Museum and visits to area schools.
In addition, each year, the B.B. King Museum is focused on reaching every 4th and 9th grade student in our 5-county area, the years in which they study Mississippi history. Our field trip program, expanded by grant funding, also includes activities that tie our exhibit content to the state curriculum standards.

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, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, the Phil Hardin Foundation, the Riley Foundation, 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 more information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Susan Dobbs - 601/359-6031 or sdobbs@arts.state.ms.us.

For more information from the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, contact Ann Shackelford - 662/887-9539 or ashackelford@bbkingmuseum.org

*Entering year two, the Art of Living Smart summer camp is offered to Indianola youth through Delta Health Alliance's Indianola Promise Community summer camp program. Funding for the IPC summer camps is provided through financial support from the Office of Rural Health Policy (HRSA).