Mississippi Presenters Network

The Mississippi Presenters network would like to provide an update to our funding request for our professional development programs for presenters for the 2019‐2020 cycle. We are seeking funding for two professional development programs that will include workshops, networking, training and showcases during the following dates: Oxford, MS – January 16‐19, 2020 The Mississippi Presenters Network working with the Mississippi Theatre Association will host professional development workshops focusing on theatre. This will cover school, community theatre, and professional theatre programs to offer development on building sustainable programs, collaboration, resource development, and exploring trends and challenges that face Theater programs and presenting organizations whose programing covers live theatre. The Mississippi Presenters Network be conducting survey and feedback session on current trends and needs for theatre presenters. Past session revealed a need for training programs and talent share systems to allow Mississippi to train and retain skilled production and technical workers. MSPN will lead group session focused on training arts leaders how to build support through storytelling, one on one mentoring sessions with marketing consultants and business planning sessions. The event will include showcases and performance by Mississippi Theater groups as part of their annual theatre festival. Jackson, MS – March 5, 2020 Day for Art / Present Mississippi The Mississippi Presenters Network, coordinating with the Mississippi Arts Commission, will host workshops and showcases in Jackson, MS. The morning will be in support of the Mississippi Arts Commissions Arts Day at the Capital promoting State wide arts presenters showcasing their programs in the Capital Building and reaching out to their legislators to share the impact of the Arts on the State of Mississippi economically and culturally. The afternoon, organized by the Mississippi Presenters Network, features working session with arts presenters from across the state identifying common core needs, resources and identifying trends. This is followed by workshops featuring presenters who can directly answer questions to resources available to Mississippi Presenters. This year will include Kelly Hunsberger with Red Window Communications who will share the MS CREATE campaign with presenters. The campaign will cover the costs to send a writer and videographer to communities in Mississippi to highlight presenters and local creatives that define the community. The compiled stories will be part of a media campaign to highlight the impact of presenters in the State, draw people to authentic Mississippi cultural experience, and teach presenters how to capture, document, and share the impact of the work they support in their communities. Carol Anderson with the Mississippi Humanities Council will host a Q & A related to the intersection of art and humanities and related funding opportunities. The event will culminate with showcases by Mississippi artist to highlight talent accessible to presenters within the State.