The Vicksburg Post > News > St. Joe Arts Center wins state award

St. Joseph has 1,000 residents and nearby Newellton has 1,500. The entire parish population is 5,700. The small nonprofit organization award category was formed to recognize any organization with a budget of $750,000 or less that has made an outstanding contribution to its cultural discipline or the state’s cultural life. There were 12 other categories in the awards program. “The Legislature now notices you and the ones that make the decisions notice you,” she said. “When they introduced us for the award at the state, they gave us a wonderful introduction about the orchestra and the music school. It said, ‘The only thing they’re missing is their performing arts center.’” Orchestra? Yes, St. Joseph has a concert orchestra that has performed regionally for years. Although some musicians travel 60 miles or more to rehearsals, it has flourished while orchestras in communities 100 times larger have struggled. The organization has pending an application for state money to expand its facility, which houses a few small classrooms and a general area that can hold up to 80 people for single performances. Evans estimated the expansion would cost around $800,000. It would allow for more performers and room for up to 300 guests for a single show.

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