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. Nominate
As a privilege of Membership, MIAL members Nominate deserving creators for these awards annually.
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. Nominate
As a privilege of Membership, MIAL members Nominate deserving creators for these awards annually.
COVER: Charlie Buckley, Cloud and Silo
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
2026-2027
PRESIDENT
Ted Atkinson, West Point
VICE PRESIDENT/President Elect
Wayne Drinkwater, Oxford
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Caroline Croom, Ocean Springs
TREASURER
Jan Taylor, Jackson
ARCHIVIST
Sarah Frances Hardy, Oxford
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Pete Halverson, Jackson
Marion Barnwell, Jackson
George Bassi, Laurel
David Beckley, Holly Springs
Talamieka Brice, Ridgeland
Lawrence Deas, Jackson
Pete Halverson, Jackson
Robert Ivy, Columbus
Donzell Lee, Lorman
Emily Liner, Columbus
Jean Medley, Jackson
JoAnne Prichard Morris, Jackson
Scott Naugle, Pass Christian
Sarah Newton, Hattiesburg
Bridget Pieschel, Columbus
Julian Rankin, Ocean Springs
Traci Stover, Hattiesburg
James G. Thomas, Jr., Oxford
Mary McKenzie Thompson, Clarksdale
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
2026-2027
PRESIDENT
Ted Atkinson, West Point
VICE PRESIDENT/President Elect
Wayne Drinkwater, Oxford
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Caroline Croom, Ocean Springs
TREASURER
Jan Taylor, Jackson
ARCHIVIST
Sarah Frances Hardy, Oxford
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Pete Halverson, Jackson
Marion Barnwell, Jackson
George Bassi, Laurel
David Beckley, Holly Springs
Talamieka Brice, Ridgeland
Lawrence Deas, Jackson
Pete Halverson, Jackson
Robert Ivy, Columbus
Donzell Lee, Lorman
Emily Liner, Columbus
Jean Medley, Jackson
JoAnne Prichard Morris, Jackson
Scott Naugle, Pass Christian
Sarah Newton, Hattiesburg
Bridget Pieschel, Columbus
Julian Rankin, Ocean Springs
Traci Stover, Hattiesburg
James G. Thomas, Jr., Oxford
Mary McKenzie Thompson, Clarksdale
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