November 16, 2010 - Mississippi Museum of Art Wins National Award

 Museum Is One of Ten Chosen for 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Science

(Jackson, Miss.) The Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) is proud to announce, in conjunction with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, that it is the winner of the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  This award is the nation’s highest honor for libraries and museums, and carries with it a cash award of $10,000.  Ten medalists (five libraries and five museums) have been chosen this year from hundreds of nominated institutions across the country.  The Mississippi Museum of Art is the only art museum among them.

The award represents and rewards the Museum’s continued role in community life and its commitment to interacting with and engaging Mississippians from across the state, as well as visitors from all over the world.

According to MMA Director Betsy Bradley, “The Mississippi Museum of Art does not receive this award on its own.  It is precisely the community of individuals, corporations, community partners, elected officials, and many others that makes possible the Museum’s mission of engaging Mississippians with the visual arts and furthering education, knowledge, and the exploration of our shared history.”

 “The Mississippi Museum of Art’s staff, members, donors, and board of trustees are part of the fabric that has enabled increased growth and reciprocal involvement with the Mississippi community.  Just as important to this success is the widespread collective of visitors to the Museum and supporters of art throughout the state,” continued Bradley.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, which awards the prestigious medal annually, is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.  Its mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.  The work of IMLS strengthens the existing roles of museums and libraries, and fosters the sharing of culture, heritage, and knowledge, in addition to enhancing learning and innovation.

Along with the Mississippi Museum of Art, other recipients of the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service are:

• Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Fishers, Indiana
• Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum of Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, California
• The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York
• Rangeview Library District and Anythink Libraries, Adams County, Colorado
• Peter White Public Library, Marquette, Michigan
• West Bloomfield Township Public Library, Michigan
• Patchogue-Medford Library, New York
• Nashville Public Library, Tennessee

According to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), “The visual arts have the ability to inspire, educate and entertain.  The Mississippi Museum of Art has grown from a club for exhibiting local art works to a wonderfully modern center for bringing the arts to people of all ages and backgrounds.  I credit the Museum for effectively using its exhibition capabilities to educate and facilitate discussions on the colorful, and sometimes complex, breadth of art and history in our state and the South.  I applaud the selection of the Mississippi Museum of Art for this national honor.”

Museum Board Chairman Roy Campbell stated, “The Museum is honored

to be a part of this state; to participate in its culture and heritage, and engage with its diversity of people.  While this award will never lose its luster, it serves as motivation for the Museum’s trustees and staff to extend a welcome to an even broader community and to continue to pursue the path of nurturing and sharing with every corner of Mississippi.”

All medal winners will gather in Washington, D. C. at a later date to receive their medals and cash awards.

The Mississippi Museum of Art and its programs are sponsored in part by the city of Jackson and the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Support is also provided in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Media Contact: Julian Rankin, Mississippi Museum of Art

jrankin@msmuseumart.org

601-960-1515