In 1978, the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters (MIAL) was created by a group of visionary cultural advocates, including former Governor William Winter and Dr. Cora Norman (of Jackson), Dr. Aubrey Lucas and Dr. Noel Polk (of Hattiesburg), and Mrs. Keith Dockery McLean (of Cleveland). These founding members knew that among Mississippi's greatest riches are our artists, writers, and musicians, who must be supported, nurtured, and recognized. Supported by Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning and its members, MIAL is a self-perpetuating 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Each year the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters honors creative individuals with an award in their specific field. The prestigious awards, first made in 1980, are presented in nine categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, Life Writing, Youth Literature, Visual Art, Music Composition (Classical), Music Composition (Contemporary), Photography, and Poetry. The Institute's juried competition is one of a kind in the state. Our carefully selected judges, chosen from out of state, are prominent in their field.
As a privilege of Membership, MIAL members make annual Nominations of deserving creators for these awards.
COVER: Charlie Buckley, Cloud and Silo
Each year the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters honors creative individuals with an award in their specific field. The prestigious awards, first made in 1980, are presented in nine categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, Life Writing, Youth Literature, Visual Art, Music Composition (Classical), Music Composition (Contemporary), Photography, and Poetry. The Institute's juried competition is one of a kind in the state. Our carefully selected judges, chosen from out of state, are prominent in their field.
As a privilege of Membership, MIAL members make annual Nominations of deserving creators for these awards.
COVER: Charlie Buckley, Cloud and Silo
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
2025-2026
PRESIDENT
Peter Halverson, Jackson
VICE PRESIDENT/President Elect
Ted Atkinson, West Point
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Caroline Croom, Ocean Springs
TREASURER
Jan Taylor, Jackson
ARCHIVIST
Sarah Frances Hardy, Oxford
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Julian Rankin, Ocean Springs
Marion Barnwell, Jackson
George Bassi, Laurel
David Beckley, Holly Springs
Talamieka Brice, Ridgeland
Lawrence Deas, Jackson
Wayne Drinkwater, Oxford
Laura Howell, Leland
Robert Ivy, Columbus
Donzell Lee, Lorman
Jean Medley, Jackson
JoAnne Prichard Morris, Jackson
Scott Naugle, Pass Christian
Sarah Newton, Hattiesburg
Bridget Pieschel, Columbus
R. Kim Rushing, Cleveland
Alphonso Sanders, Cleveland
Traci Stover, Hattiesburg
James G. Thomas, Jr., Oxford
Mary McKenzie Thompson, Clarksdale
Mark Wiggs, Jackson
Alehandro Wooten, Hattiesburg
BOARD OF GOVERNOR EMERITUS
Aubrey K. Lucas, Hattiesburg
BOARD OF GOVERNOR EMERITA
Nancy Guice, Laurel
Sandra Shellnut, Pass Christian
Margaret Anne Robbins, Pontotoc
2025-2026
PRESIDENT
Peter Halverson, Jackson
VICE PRESIDENT/President Elect
Ted Atkinson, West Point
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Caroline Croom, Ocean Springs
TREASURER
Jan Taylor, Jackson
ARCHIVIST
Sarah Frances Hardy, Oxford
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Julian Rankin, Ocean Springs
Marion Barnwell, Jackson
George Bassi, Laurel
David Beckley, Holly Springs
Talamieka Brice, Ridgeland
Lawrence Deas, Jackson
Wayne Drinkwater, Oxford
Laura Howell, Leland
Robert Ivy, Columbus
Donzell Lee, Lorman
Jean Medley, Jackson
JoAnne Prichard Morris, Jackson
Scott Naugle, Pass Christian
Sarah Newton, Hattiesburg
Bridget Pieschel, Columbus
R. Kim Rushing, Cleveland
Alphonso Sanders, Cleveland
Traci Stover, Hattiesburg
James G. Thomas, Jr., Oxford
Mary McKenzie Thompson, Clarksdale
Mark Wiggs, Jackson
Alehandro Wooten, Hattiesburg
BOARD OF GOVERNOR EMERITUS
Aubrey K. Lucas, Hattiesburg
BOARD OF GOVERNOR EMERITA
Nancy Guice, Laurel
Sandra Shellnut, Pass Christian
Margaret Anne Robbins, Pontotoc