MS HB1505

Appropriates $1,144,718.00 from the State General Fund and $1,311,000.00 from special funds to the Mississippi Arts Commission for fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018).

Authorizes 11 permanent full-time positions and 2 time-limited full-time positions for the commission.

Allocates $450,000.00 from the Education Enhancement Fund, including $100,000.00 for training educators and promoting arts programs in public schools and $350,000.00 for miscellaneous grants and programs.

Permits the Arts Commission to establish an Arts Commission Challenge Initiative Fund for the Challenge Program with unexpended balances carrying forward and grants requiring matching funds of at least 2 times the grant amount.

Provides $40,000.00 from the Department of Education to fund the Whole Schools Summer Institute.