Meridian Museum of Art

ART – A small word with a lot of meaning!

We have a very important arts community in Meridian. We have dance, theater, music and the visual arts. There are many in our community that purse an arts dream. The Meridian Museum of Art feels privileged and honored to be a part of this community. MMA’s dream is that the arts bring an addition to your life that you might not have every day.

The Meridian Museum of Art was born in the hearts of its supporters in 1933 with the Meridian Art League. The League held its exhibitions in various places around the city and had hopes of a permanent building. In 1968, that dream became a reality. The building, where the Meridian Museum of Art is currently located, became vacant when the new library was built up the street. With seed money from supporters and bond money from the City of Meridian, the newly renovated building was to be opened in January 1970. However, a fire damaged the renovation and much of the work had to be redone. The Meridian Museum of Art officially opened in October 1970.

Why have an art museum? Keith Everett, President of the Board of Directors, says, “Museums help provide hope and wonder, celebrating humankind’s greatest artistic treasures and challenging us to see the world in a vision unobstructed by rhetoric.” The Meridian Museum of Art’s mission over the years has been to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background or artistic experience. They are able to do this through exhibitions and programming. This mission helps MMA provide the community with an art experience.

The Meridian Museum of Art provides programs for the youth in our area through in- service, out-service, after-school, and summer classes. Many medias are taught in order for a student to have a total visual art experience. Adult classes and sessions are held weekly and monthly. MMA invites you to experience these classes.

Throughout the years, exhibits have been initiated and some have held on tight; one of these being the Bi-State Art Competition. The first annual Bi-State Art Competition began in 1974, featuring the finest artists in Mississippi and Alabama. The Bi-State Art Competition is the oldest juried competition in the region and still remains as the cornerstone of exhibition programs.

Devotion is the key to a successful arts organization and the Meridian Museum of Art is fortunate to have many foundations and a state agency, the Mississippi Arts Commission, which helps them be successful at providing services for the community. Many individuals support the MMA programming through memberships and fundraisers, which are significant portion of their budget. For information on their programs and exhibitions or how you can support and become involved with the Meridian Museum of Art visit their website.

Begin experiencing the arts at Meridian Museum of Art.

Meridian Museum of Art
628 25th Ave., Meridian, MS