Many of the things we are working on this summer involve future efforts to connect our arts programs to the downtown communities in the cities where our campuses are located. Previously on this blog, I shared information about an ongoing process to increase the presence of arts and entertainment programming at the university's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. We have begun longer-term planning for those programs that seeks to involve both the Long Beach community and area visitors in festivals, workshops, and other hands-on experiences.
On the Hattiesburg campus, I have attended several recent meetings discussing the long-term goal of moving some of our arts programs into the Old Hattiesburg High School building once the historic downtown association (which owns the building) has completed its recovery and renovations at the site.
These are longer-term plans, but we are also in discussions about short-term plans to bring a greater presence for our arts programs in downtown Hattiesburg this year. We hope to offer several significant events/exhibits in the downtown area, and as soon as those plans are firm I will share more details here.