CREATIVE ECONOMY
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the arts industry contributes more than $763.6 billion to the American economy each year, that's more than agriculture, transportation, or warehousing. How? Consider the ripple effect of even a simple trip to the movies, hear a band, or head to the theatre: do you hire a babysitter? grab a bite to eat? gas up on the way? Give people something to do, and they will stay, live, work, retire here. Not convinced? Just ask a real estate agent the questions they field from clients looking to move to our community.
- Art in Public Places (exhibit series)
- Business Skills Workshops (teaching artists to treat their art like a business)
- Cotton District Arts Festival
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
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is our Exhibit Series. Artists are provided public space to sell their work. SAAC hosts a reception and publicity for each event, handles the collecting and reporting of sales taxes, and takes a substantially reduced commission of 20%. These 6-7 shows each year exhibit a wide-range of talent and media, including a number of award-winning Southern artists.
Our Submittable Page includes open calls for group shows as well as opportunities to submit your work for a potential solo show. Take a look! |
General Rules
Unless otherwise posted in the call, these guidelines apply to all open submissions. Requirements for solo shows may vary.
Artists may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. Each submission must include JPG files of each work and labeled with Artist Name, Title, Medium, Dimensions, Price. If accepted, works must be gallery ready at the time of drop-off. That means 2D works must be mounted or framed or otherwise professionally displayed, ready to hang / display using a wire hanging system. No sawtooth hangers may be used. Unless otherwise noted, calls are not limited by medium, although no piece should exceed 48" in any one direction nor weigh more than 75 pounds. Absolutely no craft kits. With limited exception, works must be listed for sale.
Works in previous AiPP shows may not be submitted again.
NOTE: If you ship your work, you must provide for pre-paid return shipping, in the event your work does not sell. Works left after 30 days of the close of an exhibit become the property of SAAC.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Artists may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. Each submission must include JPG files of each work and labeled with Artist Name, Title, Medium, Dimensions, Price. If accepted, works must be gallery ready at the time of drop-off. That means 2D works must be mounted or framed or otherwise professionally displayed, ready to hang / display using a wire hanging system. No sawtooth hangers may be used. Unless otherwise noted, calls are not limited by medium, although no piece should exceed 48" in any one direction nor weigh more than 75 pounds. Absolutely no craft kits. With limited exception, works must be listed for sale.
Works in previous AiPP shows may not be submitted again.
NOTE: If you ship your work, you must provide for pre-paid return shipping, in the event your work does not sell. Works left after 30 days of the close of an exhibit become the property of SAAC.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
On Display Now
Cultural Kaleidoscope (Feb 26 - Apr 29, 2024)
Join us for the opening reception of our AiPP Cultural Kaleidoscope showcase on February 27, 2024 from 5:30-7pm. This is a group show, featuring works that celebrate culture through art.
The exhibit will be on display online and in our downstairs Workshop Gallery from February 26th to April 29th, 2024. Some works may be for sale! |
Southern Gothic (Mar 4 - , 2024)
Join us for the opening reception and art market of our AiPP Southern Gothic Exhibition on March 5th from 5:30-7pm.
This group show features works that depict dark and historic themes and imagery of the American South. Works will be on display in our Main Gallery and online from March 4th to May 6th, 2024. Some works may be for sale. |
Natural Mississippi (Feb 5 - Aug 5, 2024)
Natural Mississippi is a group show, featuring works that capture and interpret the natural landscape of Mississippi.
Works are on display in the Greater Starkville Development Partnership lobby (200 E Main St, Downtown Starkville) until August 5, 2024. Some works may be for sale. |
Call for Submissions
Open call for submissions for our summer AiPP Group Show - "The Most Interesting _____" Exhibition! The submission deadline is June 9, 2024. This show will be a HYBRID show: works will be on display in the Starkville Area Arts Council gallery as well as online. The exhibit will run from July 1 to September 2, 2024.
The world we live in is vast and fascinating so there is always that one person, place, or thing that stands out from the rest. Think of the “most interesting” thing you’ve ever seen or created. A strange artifact or piece of art. A person you’ve met. A place you’ve visited. Something you’ve discovered in nature. The possibilities are endless. We are looking for pieces that will strike the eye, spark a conversation, and evoke a sense of curiosity. Works of all mediums are welcome (objects, photographs, paintings, collages, etc.). We would love to see how you interpret this theme through your artwork, whether literally or abstractly. Works that fall beyond the theme will not be accepted. |
AiPP Schedule (2024)
Jan 2 - Feb 26, 2024: AiPP Art Partners Showcase
Jan 8 - Mar 4, 2024: Andre Ray Solo Show Jan 9, 2024: Andre Ray Opening Reception Jan 18, 2024: Art Partners Showcase Opening Reception Feb 5 - Aug 5, 2024: Natural Mississippi Themed Group Show Feb 26 - Apr 29, 2024: AiPP Cultural Kaleidoscope Feb 27: AiPP Cultural Kaleidoscope Opening Reception Mar 4 - May 6, 2024: Southern Gothic Group Show Mar 5, 2024: Southern Gothic Group Show Opening Reception Apr 29 - July 1, 2024: Workshop Gallery Solo Show - Austin McGrath Apr 30, 2024: Austin McGrath Solo Show Reception May/June 20224: Surfaces by Bonnie Brumley (Solo Show) July 1 - Sept 2, 2024: "The Most Interesting _______" (Workshop Gallery Group Show) July 2, 2024: "The Most Interesting _______" Reception July/August 2024: Open Theme Group Show (Main Gallery) August 2024 - February 2025: GSDP Group Show Sept/Oct 2024: Solo Show TBD Sept 2 - Nov 04, 2024: Workshop Gallery Solo Show - Libby Cagle Sept 3: Libby Cagle Solo Show Reception Not/Dec 2024: Winter Showcase Open Themed Group Show |
Past Exhibitions
ART MARKETS
SAAC has started hosting monthly art markets, both themed and un-themed, in order to provide artists and crafters more opportunities outside of the Cotton District Arts Festival to sell their work. Booth fees are only $10 and SAAC collects and pays sales taxes on behalf of the vendors. We welcome all kinds of vendors, from experienced to first-timers.
Past themed markets have included: Holiday Art Market, Valentine's Art Market, International Women's History Month Market, Renaissance Faire Art Market, and the Animal Companions - Pet Art Market.
If you are interested in vending at any of our art markets, check out the open applications for markets below.
Past themed markets have included: Holiday Art Market, Valentine's Art Market, International Women's History Month Market, Renaissance Faire Art Market, and the Animal Companions - Pet Art Market.
If you are interested in vending at any of our art markets, check out the open applications for markets below.
Holiday Art Market (2023)
SAAC will be hosting a Holiday Art Market at 122 E Main St. in Downtown Starkville on Friday, December 1st, from 4-6 pm. This market is intended to help people find the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones for the holidays. Vendors: Courtney Blackwell Gracely Designs Ania Debicka-Dyer Art Postal Marika Dunne Art & Decor by Marika Dunne Isidora Fereday Daffodil & Daisy Sojourner Graves Crystal Essence Emelie Hebert Studio M Anna Justice Art by Anna C Jenna Klein Knot Yours Truly Joe MacGown MacGown Art Karen Thompson-Edwards Get Wick’d by K candles Dorrie Wu bandana_fred The Holiday Art Market is FREE to attend and aims to create a joyful and immersive experience for art enthusiasts and holiday shoppers alike. With the season of giving upon us, this event provides the perfect opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind gifts that support local artists from all over the Golden Triangle and beyond and celebrate the spirit of community. |
Call for Submissions
We are planning out market schedule for 2024 in order to make these events better for both vendors and attendees. Stay tuned for more information and calls for submissions.
Past Markets
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ARTIST TALKS
Want to host an artist talk? Contact us at arts@starkvillearts.org
BUSINESS SKILLS WORKSHOPS
offers real-world, practical advice on treating art like a business. The goal? Show artists how to think like a business so they can sell their work.
In Summer 2020, this workshop series was revamped in collaboration with Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (Oxford) to form the $kills for the Creative Economy Partnership. Under this partnership, SAAC and YAC host monthly workshop series that are open to any Mississippi creatives. Workshops cover various topics including sales taxes, the festival circuit, social media, licensing, and more. As of September 2020, the Series is currently scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month, other than December and July. |
The Next Workshop...
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. VIRTUAL via ZOOM Limited to 12 participants 1-1 Sessions Available Need funds for that big art project? Want to buy equipment for your studio? Can’t afford to go to that residency but don’t have the money? Grants are free money, but you can’t get one if you don’t apply! Learn how to navigate a grant application and tell your story so funders will support your work. This workshop will cover the basic common components of grant applications and will include 1:1 review sessions up to 90 minutes to help tailor a specific application. Spaces are limited. Registration ends Sept. 13 |
Upcoming WorkshopsStay Tuned! |
Past Workshops |
COTTON DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL
The Cotton District Arts Festival showcases the best talent in arts, music, food, and more, from across the Southeast. Featuring a variety of artists, musicians and otherwise, CDAF has been consistently named Best Fair/Festival by Mississippi Magazine. Vendors and patrons alike flood the streets of Starkville in events such as the Pet Parade, the Juried Art Competition, Student Art Competition, and many more.
Are you excited for #CDAF2023?
Head over to the festival website for the latest updates! |
PUBLIC ART
creates a sense of place and brings together a community in ways other programs can’t, from neighborhood improvement to a clear, identifiable draw in tourism. SAAC continues to collaborate with the MSU Department of Art and other partners to help emphasize the arts here in Starkville.
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SUNDAY FUNDAY
This grassroots community event, created by artists, is a former SAAC grantee. SAAC now serves as *“fiscal sponsor”: Sunday Funday controls its program and SAAC provides financial oversight, which, in turn, gives donors a potential charitable deduction.
If you're interested in donating to support Sunday Funday, please contact SAAC! *What is a "fiscal sponsor"? Quite simply, it's a legal relationship between an established charity and a project (or an individual) where the charity provides financial or legal oversight in exchange for a fee. That's it! The sponsored project remains fairly autonomous, and most donors benefit from the tax-exempt status of the charity. At a minimum, both the sponsor and the project must have similar missions (as written and documented, not over beers at happy hour). If you are interested in learning more about SAAC's fiscal sponsorship of Sunday Funday!, then please contact the SAAC offices at 662.324.3080. Be sure to ask your financial advisor about whether your donation is tax deductible - we can't give you that advice!
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