Jackson Homes Guide

Arts

One of Jackson’s main cultural groups is the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, which began in 1944 and was originally called the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra plays at various churches on occasion and a series of special concerts statewide over the course of a year. Approaching it’s 60th anniversary, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is one of Jackson’s strongest cultural forces.

Ballet Mississippi is one of Jackson’s premier art exhibitions. Ballet Mississippi hosts the USA International Ballet Competitions every four years, turning Jackson into the dance capital of the world. Ballet Mississippi is also the host of a dance school for ballet and modern dancers from across the nation.

The Craftmen’s Guild of Mississippi presents craft exhibits and events and is one of the largest in the nation. Each year over 150,000 people attend the Guild programs.

The Mississippi Art museum is the largest in the state and is home to some extraordinary works of art. The museum began in 1911 with the purpose of promoting works by native Mississippi artists, sculptors, and writers. The museum, aside from having over 3,000 works from around the world, still pays tribute to artists from Mississippi, with artists like Walter Anderson, Marie Hull, Leon Koury, John McGrady, Karl Wolfe, and William Hollingsworth comprising and important part of the museums exhibits.

The Jackson Municipal Art Gallery originally began in a local, privately owned home and is one of the oldest surviving historic buildings in Jackson. It is a place for hundreds of local and regional artists to show their works and presents a new exhibit every month.

The New Stage Theatre was founded in part by Eudora Welty in 1965 and is the only not-for-profit theater in the city. The theater produces five plays per year in addition to a Christmas performance, a student matinee, a series of one-acts opened to local actors, and a kids-only show featuring only local talent.