Developing a Community Identity of Art in Downtown Jackson
Written by Maddie Steele
“Art makes the community more human. It gives us a sense of pride and community identity,” said Lizzie Emmons, Executive Director of The Jackson Arts Council.
The Jackson Arts Council is the only organization in Madison County that ensures all the arts are supported in Jackson and it’s not only vital for our community, but it also helps our local artists gain the business and exposure they need. The Jackson Arts Council’s main focus is regranting the money they receive to local artists or community art initiatives, and they also provide promotional services for events and advocate for the arts in all different platforms. They have the new addition of the Community Art Box Project, which provides students in our school systems the supplies and access to create art to process emotions and to use as a form of expression. Projects like these provide our community with the tools and resources they need to not only create art, but to see art in their own backyards.
Lizzie Emmons started as the Executive Director of The Jackson Arts Council in August 2021, with a background in music education and art therapy. She is passionate about growing the presence of all forms of art in our local community.
“It’s invaluable to a community to have an organization like this that’s overseeing how the arts are doing and where we can direct our resources. This is vital to a healthy community,” said Emmons. “A healthy community isn’t just made of beautiful art work to see on buildings, but we also know that art is beneficial to our mental health and well being, and it also drives our economy, retains our residents and draws tourism. It makes the community more human. It gives us a sense of pride and community identity.”
The most recent report stated that the citizens of Madison County spend $4.7 million a year on art, making it a vital part of our economy. The Jackson Arts Council has existed since the 1960s and has always been located in the downtown area. In the 90s, the council funded the building of the Ned, gifting it to the city, and in return, The Jackson Arts Council received the space to use free of charge.
Lizzie is also the Vice Chair of The Public Arts Commission, which is an organization made up of various people who are involved with art in Jackson. They get together once a month and are currently working to create an Arts District in Downtown Jackson.
The intention of the Arts District is to designate an area that is the life source of arts and culture in Jackson. Not that this is the only location where art should be, but this is the bulk of where it is happening.
“There is no other location in Jackson that is the heart of the city. I think it’s important as we designate this new Arts District that we are making sure our downtown area is a reflection of our cultural identity in Jackson. So, it’s very important for the Arts Council to be downtown, and specifically in the Ned,” said Emmons.
So far, the growth of the Arts District has happened organically, by businesses wanting to place murals on their buildings, display local art on their walls or have a musician play live music. This was the desire of the Public Arts Commission from the beginning, that the community would be the ones creating this Arts District. Lizzie’s main job is to connect local artists to businesses in the district that want to display their art.
“The most exciting part about the Arts District is all these new artists I've been learning about since announcing this district. Every day I learn about someone new, and they really are coming out of the woodwork. For our community, the most exciting thing we’re going to see are public art initiatives, and the Jackson Arts Council can help people by funding those projects,” said Emmons. “Businesses are going to start to value what a mural can do to increase foot traffic and beautify our downtown. They will see the value in having live musicians play and I think the sky is the limit.”
The Jackson Arts Council would love for you to get involved in this movement by financially supporting them or volunteering your time. If you would like to serve in either of these ways, you can visit www.731arts.com.
