Being blind or visually impaired does not mean you are devoid of artistic expression. Indeed, we all manifest artistic expression one way or another. Just our manner of speaking is an artistic expression. Sometimes, that can translate into the production of life-defining poetry and prose. The way you dress and move and smirk and laugh are all a part of the way you express yourself. And it is beautiful and worthy.

How able our bodies happen to be does not have to be the gating factor in how creative we are. The gating factor for most creatives is money. That is where organizations like the Mississippi Arts Commission come in. Over a Zoom call, Accessibility Coordinator Victoria Meek shared information about the grants that they provide to people with disabilities who need funding for their artistic endeavors.

Victoria was joined by Grants Director, Laura Rhodes, who got even more in-depth with regard to funding and the various programs and grants they offer throughout the year. The Mississippi Arts Commission receives both federal and state funding including agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts.

There are different kinds of grants and different levels of funding. There is a grant that is up to $5,000 and requires the recipient to be a nonprofit corporation. There is a smaller grant up to $500 that individuals can apply for directly and is paid out as reimbursement.

Organizations like MIB and MIB Foundation are in a unique position to help talented people with disabilities reach their creative goals in a number of areas. Art is an expansive proposition and includes music, painting, sculpting, writing, dancing, and everything else that art entails.

If you are a Mississippi resident with disabilities who also has artistic talent and think you might benefit from a grant, contact MIB’s Joe Spicer:

Contact Center Services Manager
Public Policy Administration
Office: 601-984-3271
jspicer@msblind.org

David Johnson