Brookhaven Little Theatre has been awarded a $7,500 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.61 million in grants the Commission will award in 2015-2016 and will be used to assist BLT’s operations during its 2015-16 season. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“The creative economy has never been more vibrant than it is today in the communities across Mississippi,” said Tom Pearson, executive director at MAC. “This agency is honored to play a small role in assisting these organizations to continue their work of reinforcing the value of the arts and the role they play in creative place- making and economic development.”

Brookhaven Little Theatre, begun in 1968, is one of the oldest continually running community theaters in the state of Mississippi. In a normal year, BLT presents five plays, including productions by BLTeens and by participants in the organization’s summer theater camp.

“We’re working on another great lineup for our upcoming season and this MAC grant will assist us as we go through the year,” said Matt Coleman, president of the BLT Board of Directors. “We very much appreciate state Sen. Sally Doty’s help during the grant process and MAC’s generosity in awarding these funds.”

The Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, serves the residents of the state by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, the Mississippi Arts Commission is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.