Wilma E. Mosley Clopton, Ph.D. of NMHS Unlimited Film Productions (NMHS) of Jackson has been awarded a Mississippi Arts Commission’s (MAC) Artist Fellowship. The MAC’s Artist Fellowship program is focused on honoring Mississippi artists who demonstrate the ability to create exemplary work in their chosen field. The Artist Fellowship program is highly competitive – only a small number of the total applicants each year receive an award. This grant is a portion of the $1.34 million in grants MAC has awarded in 2014-2015 and will be used to support Dr. Clopton’s professional development as an artist and the creation of new work. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“The arts in Mississippi are now being recognized as a key component to economic development and as a driver for creative strategies for the growth of our communities,” said Dr. Tom Pearson, Executive Director of MAC. “Individual artists play a vital role as really the backbone of this movement, and it is an honor for this agency to be a part of their professional growth.”
NMHS Unlimited Film Productions is a non-profit 501(c)(3) film production company led by Dr. Wilma E. Mosley Clopton. NMHS specializes in documentaries about Mississippi history with the goal of educating the young and young at heart about the diverse rich history of Mississippi. Dr. Clopton began her film career in 2009 and has produced 10 documentaries, four publications and one play focused on the contributions of African Americans in the state of Mississippi. Several of the pieces are used in schools as part of their curriculum. “I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I received a Mississippi Arts Commission Media Arts Fellowship,” said Dr. Clopton. “What an honor and recognition for my work! I love telling the untold stories and important roles of African Americans in Mississippi history. This recognition and funding allows me to continue to do the work I truly enjoy.”
The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency serving residents of the state by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, the Mississippi Arts Commission is the funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.
