The CHF Virtual Campus

Founded in 1975, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council remains committed to a diverse offering of artistic and cultural opportunities. Each year, YAC works with artists, arts organizations, and community partners to support programs that incorporate the arts into the community landscape. The staff, board, and volunteers work to present over 300 days of art programs—ranging from student programs, exhibits by emerging artists, live theatre, concerts, classes, independent film screenings, and festivals.

The Arts Council manages venues, collaborative community programs, and an Arts Incubator to support emerging artists. Facilities include: The Powerhouse, offering a black box theatre, classroom and exhibit space; Lafayette County Arena, featuring classrooms plus indoor arena; and The Old Armory Pavilion, offering an open-air space with resident farmer’s market and community events. Community programs include: a monthly Art Crawl, Oxford Fiber Festival, Art-er Limits Fringe Festival, and Miss-i-sippin’. The Arts Incubator is a partnership with the Economic Development Foundation to develop creative economy businesses within the region.

The Arts Council works with community partners to provide the following services: Community Supported Artist: Annually artists submit proposals which would impact the creative community. YAC supports projects with seed funding, recruiting mentors, and finding resources to support the artist in completing the project. Arts Incubator: In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, the Arts Council hosts free workshops to support artists and creative businesses with training, resources, and support. J.E. Pitts Artist Fund: YAC provides direct support to artists to complete a project from a new series of work to a community event or production.

The Arts Council works with a community of creatives to support their visions, ideas and work including: Art Scout: Visual Art development program which provides events, exhibits and promotions highlighting emerging artists. North Mississippi Plein Air Painters & Oxford Artist Guild: YAC provides support to visual artists within the region. Oxford Makers Market: A monthly market highlighting locally made crafts, artists and cottage goods. Theatre Oxford: Community Theatre Company and organizers of the National 10 Minute Play Contest Oxford Film Festival: Nationally recognized film festival with year round programming and professional development for film makers. Oxford Civic Chorus: Connecting the community through music Sarah Isom Center: Working to provide programs that empower diverse voices through the annual Sarahfest celebration Thacker Mountain Radio: Live weekly radio show from Off Square books covering music and literature. Fiber Arts Festival: Celebrating the fiber arts in Mississippi from traditional quilt to contemporary art Juneteenth Celebration: Highlighting the contributions and creative voices of the African American community in Lafayette County.