Mission
Vision
Griot Arts empowers young people in Clarksdale, Mississippi to create positive change in their lives and community by providing access to opportunities in the arts, education, and workforce development.
Griot Arts seeks to cultivate creativity and compassion in the lives of young people within the greater community. We work to see our community flourish, with its people having an ever-growing relationship with God, one another, and the created world. We promote the social well-being and development of our students, encouraging them to realize their God-given brilliance. We hope that all people are drawn to our fellowship, as we joyfully welcome all people into our family regardless of religious belief.
Griot Arts aspires to be a cornerstone institution of the community, empowering artists to become the modern-day “Griots” of our land, narrating a new conversation in the community. We see the arts used as an avenue to revitalize and re-invigorate the people and communities in the Mississippi Delta with a clear view of the past, and a hopeful vision of the future. We use the arts as a tool to build the skills and confidence needed for our young people to realize their full potential in college and creative careers.
Values
We value an approach to the arts and community that is re-humanizing, generative, innovative, and generous, and that fosters an environment for wrestling with the deep questions of art, faith and culture. With a focus on beauty and generosity, and guided by a cultural history informed by faith, Griot brings a refreshing approach to affecting many aspects of culture, including the arts, employment, education, and community development with a vision that stems from the hope of the gospel.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His poetry, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
METHOD (what we do)
Meet students and artists where they are and build relationships with them based on trust and respect
Provide excellent arts programming that builds skills for life, college, and careers
Engage students, artists, and audiences in a way that invites discussion and leaves them feeling hopeful
Pray for our community
Connect students with mentors
Build clear pathways to college and careers
Build social-emotional skills (such as confidence, self expression, creativity, discipline, problem solving, collaboration, and leadership) through the arts, practical learning environments, and sharing life together
STAFF COMMITMENTS (how we do it)
Treat students, artists, and audiences with respect, always communicating our belief in the inherent dignity of all people
Be humble, sensitive, loving, empathetic, forgiving, and understanding – as Christ was
Continually seek to grow spiritually, emotionally, creatively, and professionally
Be constant encouragers
Speak the Truth in love
Practice wise stewardship of time, talent, treasure, and influence
Pray for each other and communicate regularly