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MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION
Telephone(GOl) 354-7336 *301 North Lamar Street- Post Office Box 1341 Jackson, Mississippi 39305
October 17, 1978
Mr. Louis Fernandez, President Hancock Historical Society, Inc.
Post Office Box 1340
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 39520
Dear Mr. Fernandez:
The Mississippi Arts Commission is vitally concerned with the success of arts projects in Mississippi, and we are convinced that the statue of St. Louis will be a significant contribution to art in our state. However, we operate under a carefully defined program of services, a copy of which is enclosed.
The National Endowment for the Arts has a program which provides funds for art in public places, and this is the information which I related to Mrs. Carter. The application must come from* the city. I have noticed, however, that grants from NEA are usually awarded for contemporary, avant garde artworks rather than for representational statuary. Therefore, it is my suggestion that the $10,000 to $15,000 needed for casting, site preparation, installation, etc. be sought from other sources. The Tourism department of the Mississippi A & I Board could be approached. Your Mayor, Mr. Bennett, has spoken with the office of the French Ambassador about a donation. If you could get the A & I Board interested perhaps they would contact the French Ambassador also. It seems there would be many individuals and corporations willing to donate to a $10-15,000 purse which would provide a work of art of such historic and intrinsic as well as artistic value for the community.
There has been no application to the Mississippi Arts Commission for a grant, but we want to help you find a way to complete this worthy and lasting project.
Hancock County Historical Society St. Louis, Ms. 3s*520
Enclosure:	Program	Guide
Sincerely
Theo Inman Program Director
CLIFF FINCH GOVERNOR
LIDA ROGERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR