The Meridian Museum of Art (MMA) is housed in the historic Old Carnegie Library building, which was constructed in 1912-13, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Mississippi Landmark. The Museum seeks to promote and support the art, artists, and art programs of our area and region through art education, exhibitions, collections, collaborations with other organizations, special events, and community involvement. MMA programs are designed to further these goals and to make art accessible to everyone in the community. The Museum serves an audience from across the state and region, but primarily from Meridian and Lauderdale County and the surrounding counties: Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Jasper, and Clarke (in MS), and Sumter and Choctaw (in AL).

School of Art

YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS

ART CLASSES

After School and week-long summer classes for youths which include Drawing, Painting, Pottery, Sculpture, Cartooning, Storywriting/ Bookmaking, Maskmaking, Jewelrymaking, Mixed Media, and Origami. All materials are provided, and we also offer a scholarship program for artistically promising but economically disadvantaged children. After the classes, we host an exhibit featuring all of the artwork that the children have created.

ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS

Held four times during the year. Each class ties in with a holiday or season (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Spring) and features projects based on the holiday or seasonal theme. Up to 60 children attend each 90 minute long workshop. Each workshop features approximately ten different projects of varying complexity, and children are able to pick and choose which projects they want to try. There is a nominal fee charged for the workshops. Please contact us for further information.

EXHIBITS

Youth art displays (and receptions) featuring work created in Museum classes, local schools, the ArtQuest program, the PTA’s Cultural Arts program, the 4-H Club, and our annual Youth Members Show. These exhibits not only show off the work of these talented young artists; they also give them a well-earned feeling of pride and importance towards their artwork and themselves

EVENT TIE-INS

Museum events often include hands-on youth art activities and exhibits.

SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMS

In addition to Museum tours and exhibits of school-produced artwork, the Museum provides technical and material assistance, volunteers, and evaluators for local school programs.

TOURS

School groups, youth groups, and individuals from near and far. Sometimes combined with a hands-on workshop where and youth groups.