Thursday, February 2, 2017

Arts Commission bill dies.

A bill that would transfer control of the Mississippi Arts Commission to the Mississippi Development Authority died in committee this week after it generated much controversy.  Arts advocates celebrated as they made their opposition to the bill well-known.  However, JJ thought it might be a good idea to post a spreadsheet below that contains a list of all the MAC grants, the recipients, and their purpose. Enjoy.


Kingfish note: Truth be told, I did not have an opinion on this bill because I was just not well-informed on either side.  However,  this website is a supporter of the arts.  The arts are an important part of education and society.  However, the poorer the state or society, the less resources there are that can be devoted to the arts and Mississippi is no exception.  The debate reflected that state as there are some who want no funding for the arts at all while others want to open up the spigots.  There is a happy medium between those two positions as there are on most issues. 


This post is an experiment of sorts as I am embedding the spreadsheet from Onedrive. You should be able to expand the spreadsheet to fullscreen and also review the grants awarded by county as well.  I've also posted the jpg versions of the spreadsheet below in case that does not work.  Just click on each image to enlarge.













22 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have no business sending tax dollars to these projects, no matter how worthwhile. They should end the arts commission completely. It's just involuntary redistribution of wealth from the taxpayers to the intelligentsia.

nameRedacted said...

The obvious first question, the title says "redacted" so are there grants that are redacted? I'd suspect they redacted names, contact information, etc for each grant and that is what it references. But still worth asking the question.

Kingfish said...

I redacted phone numbers. It was my way of telling this version apart from the original file I have. Housekeeping.

Ross Barnett said...

"Intelligentsia" go read a book 9:49AM

Anonymous said...

Onedrive worked nicely. Thanks for sharing this information...

Anonymous said...

KF was not the only one that was not well informed on this bill. Neither was the author. She filed it at the behest of the leadership without a clue whether it was good public policy or not.

Anonymous said...

I've read lots of comments that seem to view the arts solely through the lens the political spectrum with "the usual suspects" and stereotypes being offered. I'm curious as to whether there is a list of grants requested that received no award. I'd like to know that before I even thought about making a judgment (whether hoisting petards or demonstrating bias) as to the political nature of the MAC.

Kingfish said...

You know what? Libraries are a forced redistribution of wealth.

Close them. All of them.

Anonymous said...

If you closed the libraries where would the homeless live?

Anonymous said...

The 70 comments from the previous thread on this should've been re-posted here also. Don't think anyone's going to change their opinion. Rinse, repeat.

Anonymous said...

Josh Harkins is turning out to be not the sharpest tool in the shed. Far from it.

Anonymous said...

So, Malcolm White approves a grant to Malcolm Sheppard to produce an event that occurs every Monday Night in Malcolm White's restaurant? Yeah, nothing left to cut.

Anonymous said...

Ha, the snowflakes are celebrating sipping champagne with their pinky sticking out.

The only down side, and I personally do not think this is one, is that only one person loses a job and it was Malcolm. He has been riding on the state dime all over the world writing his book. Get that damn Libtard off the state teet!

Anonymous said...

Agreed, KF. If the private sector can't support it, there must not be that much of a demand for them. I would love for my local library to subsist solely on voluntary contributions. I bet it would look a lot different.

Anonymous said...

Taxpayers go to these festivals. School children go to many of these events and talented young people get scholarships apparently from reading the list. God forbid a child that loves to dance or paint or loves music should get to go to a ballet or art exhibit for free or hear a concert or get a scholarship or grant or a musical instrument to play in his school band if his parents can't afford these things. They might be inspired.

ISIS agrees that the arts and are frivolous and dangerous , however. That's why destroying art and libraries and schools and killing " the intelligentsia" are a priority for them . They want laborers who will do their bidding.

We can't have anyone hold up a mirror to us or question our behavior.
You must control how people see themselves and the world and you can't let your children grow up to be smarter than you are as then you can't dictate their future. They might become humans who see your failings. You fear they won't love you and respect you anymore if they learn you were wrong about anything.

Anonymous said...

6:18 is either going through the change or out of medication. Bringing up the fact that ISIS destroys art and schools is beyond bizarre and way across the bounds of hyperbole.

This never was about closing down anything or opposing school children's exposure to violin concerts.

If you take a good, honest look at that list you will know those in control use this thing as nothing but a personal cookie-jar of gratuities and schmooze gifts with absolutely no accountability to anybody. They gather in a circle and nominate recipients. Then they giggle and they vote and they write grant checks and they giggle some more and raise their pinky fingers and toast each other.

Anonymous said...

The only thing standing between me and ISIS is shoveling money to wealthy developers or ivy league graduates with full time jobs to indulge their hobbies? I'll take my chances with ISIS.

And as for the parenting advice, thank you. You know what would make it easier for me to raise my children to be smarter than me? Immoral know it alls like you not taking money from my paycheck before I have a chance to spend it on my children and giving it to the wealthy and connected to spend on their hobbies.

Anonymous said...

Very well said, 6:18.

I think people are missing the point that the arts are drivers for the economy and attract tourism and stimulate business activities. Children are having success in school because of the arts by learning how to think critically and communicate in ways they wouldn't normally be able to, especially for rural and inner-city kids. Mississippi also has a cultural legacy that must be preserved.

I read that it costs less than $1.00 per capita to support the arts. Is that really too much to ask to help out your community?

Anonymous said...

To celebrate the defeat of this bill, I'm going to go down to Farrish Street
tonight and have a few drinks before dinner. After dinner, I think I'll stick my
head in either wet willies bar or BB Kings blues club and stay all night and spend
a whole lotta money in downtown Jackson. I will toast the taxpayers of Jackson
Mississippi for their generous support of the renovation of Farrish Street as I rock
along with all the other people in the crowd. Someone please save me a seat at the bar.

Anonymous said...

2:50; If you spend enough moo-lah at Hal and Mals you could get a grant.

Friend of Duck.. said...

I notice my friend Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes got two of these grants. I frequently visit Duck at Blue Front in Bentonia, take him fish and deer meat and he plays a bit for me. He's a prince of a fellow and a great blues musician and singer.

That aside, how many garden parties did he play for at homes of these people who control the grant purse-strings?

Anonymous said...

More people go to the MS Symphony in a season than swim meets in the metro area in a year....



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.