FestivalSouth, a signature program of the Hattiesburg Concert Association, has been awarded a prestigious America 250 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support its 2026 summer festival. This national funding initiative celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States through arts and cultural programming.
The $40,000 grant directly supports FestivalSouth’s the multi-genre artistic lineup of performances and community activities across the Hattiesburg region. In honor of America’s semiquincentennial, the festival will present curated programming on themes of freedom, heritage, and unity, with theatrical productions, chamber music concerts, visual art exhibitions, and educational experiences for children and families.
The grant proposal was authored by Rachel Ciraldo, with additional contributions from Hattiesburg Concert Association Board Chair Amanda Powell, Treasurer Carolyn McLarnan, and board member Marlo Dorsey.
Further insights on funding opportunities were provided by the office of U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, whose ongoing advocacy for the arts underscores their importance to Mississippi’s cultural and economic vitality.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, arts and cultural production contributed $2.7 billion to Mississippi’s economy in 2023, supporting nearly 32,000 jobs and generating $1.5 billion in wages and benefits. Tourism, closely tied to the state’s vibrant arts sector, welcomed 43.7 million visitors and generated $11.5 billion in spending in 2024, according to Visit Mississippi.
Dr. Mike Lopinto, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Concert Association and Artistic Director of FestivalSouth, emphasized the significance of this grant award and opportunity.
“FestivalSouth embodies the transformative impact of the arts in action, and we are incredible thankful for this national grant opportunity. Each June, the festival brings high-caliber visual and performing arts to our region, drawing thousands of attendees and generating approximately $2 million in economic impact,” said Lopinto. “Our mission is to create opportunities for artists, enhance quality of life in our communities, and cultivate meaningful experiences for residents and visitors. Federal support through the National Endowment for the Arts adds significant creditability to our work and helps to make what we do possible by strengthening our cultural landscape, our economy and our shared sense of identity.”
FestivalSouth is committed to showcasing Mississippi artists while also welcoming performers and creators from across the nation and beyond, reinforcing its role as a cultural hub for the region. The project is designed to benefit artists, students, families, and audiences throughout Hattiesburg, Oak Grove, Petal, Columbia, and neighboring communities by expanding access to high-quality arts programming at affordable prices.
The NEA’s continued investment in organizations like FestivalSouth enables expanded arts access across both urban and rural communities, fostering education, creativity, and cultural pride throughout Mississippi.
FestivalSouth’s 2026 season will take place throughout June, with a full schedule of events now listed at FestivalSouth.org.