The MAX
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To Inspire as Well as Inform
“When it comes to arts and entertainment, Mississippi is a land of legends. And that gave us an idea. What if we told all their stories together in one place? What if we could showcase the overwhelming impact of Mississippi’s creative legacy to locals and visitors alike? What if we help ignite creativity in the artists of the future?”
These were the thoughts and dreams of a dedicated board of directors and a supportive celebrity committee desiring to build a museum honoring Mississippi’s many artists. The board had worked over 20 years to raise private and public funding to create what would become the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), which opened its doors in April 2018, as one of the most spectacular and unique museums in the country.
The MAX is considered a non-traditional museum. It has become a sought after venue; a public gathering place for the presentation of performances in dance, music, and theater; art demonstrations; film presentations; lectures; classes and workshops. The MAX is reinventing the role of a museum by providing immersive experiences that educate and inform visitors about Mississippi.
The MAX has won three major international exhibition design awards enabling the world to hear about this wonderful new place located in Meridian. The talented professional staff serves as consultants, presenters and speakers at local, national and international conferences. The MAX lists more than 600 people with ties to Mississippi in different areas of art: literature, visual, performing, cultural and music.
The MAX is instrumental in attracting tourism to this area by providing a positive business and economic environment for Meridian, Lauderdale County and the state of Mississippi. As a new business in the state, they provide approximately 30 jobs; and over 80 local citizens volunteer. They 
eagerly support the efforts of EMBDC and rely on them to help provide options for companies hoping to locate to the area and are looking for arts, entertainment and culture for their employees. EMBDC assists with marketing and public relations, holding events at The MAX to introduce new businesses to Meridian, and sponsoring activities that promote other nonprofits and businesses in our community.
“I enjoy meeting and hosting local residents and visitors from around the country and the world. It is great to see smiles on the faces of children and adults when they discover that there are so many people, just like them, who were born in Mississippi, or have lived in Mississippi, who are so talented. We also enjoy partnering with local business and other non-profit organizations in promoting not only what we do, but what they do as well,” says Ida B. Tomlin, Director of Operations + Human Resources.
“As a non-profit museum, The MAX has a mission: Mississippi’s rich arts contributions are often unknown or misunderstood. We enlighten and inspire by sharing stories of creative expression, providing an opportunity for all generations to reach their full potential. The MAX is dedicated to education; to inform visitors of Mississippi’s rich cultural heritage.”
By shining the spotlight on Mississippi’s statewide contributions in arts and entertainment, The MAX will guide visitors to other towns and museums throughout the state, from Tupelo’s Elvis, to Indianola’s B.B. King, to Pascagoula’s Jimmy Buffett, to Jackson’s Eudora Welty, to Ocean Springs’ Walter Anderson, to Meridian’s own Sela Ward, and many more.
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX); showcasing Mississippi’s arts and entertainment legacy, honoring our creative legends, and inspiring tomorrow’s artists.
The MAX
2155 Front St., Meridian, MS