Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is an exciting, first-of-its-kind multimedia tribute to the rich culture of creativity and the legacy of artists from all mediums who have called Mississippi home. With names like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, William Faulkner, John Grisham, Morgan Freeman, Jim Henson, Eudora Welty, Oprah Winfrey, and many, many more, Mississippi has a lot to celebrate. This is no ordinary destination. This is Mississippi to The MAX. History The MAX took its first step toward reality in 2001, when the Mississippi State Legislature enacted Senate Bill #2666, sowing the seeds for a major destination with a cultural impact that could extend far beyond Mississippi. Over the decade to follow, a dedicated board and a supportive celebrity committee pressed on toward our fundraising goals, despite financial blows from both Hurricane Katrina and the Great Recession. In 2009, nearly ten years of hard work reaped a tangible reward—the unveiling of The MAX Hollywood-style Walk of Fame. Six years later, on October 3, 2015, The MAX officially broke ground in downtown Meridian, Mississippi. The MAX will open April 28, 2018. Architecture A modern silhouette and large glass windows make The MAX an architectural icon in the historic backdrop of downtown Meridian. The 58,500 square-foot-space was designed by LPK Architects of Meridian. Exhibits The MAX is not a traditional collecting museum. The exhibit design combines artifacts and the latest in interactive technology for a unique visitor experience. Exhibit design: Gallagher & Associates, Silver Spring, MD Exhibit fabricator: Solomon Group, New Orleans, LA First Floor The MAX Hall of Fame Gallery is the centerpiece of the museum. The eighteen artists represented in the gallery are the inaugural class of The MAX Hall of Fame. The class includes: Walter Inglis Anderson, Painter Elvis Presley, Musician William Faulkner, Writer Leontyne Price, Opera Soprano Morgan Freeman, Actor Jimmie Rodgers, Musician John Grisham, Writer Sela Ward, Actor Jim Henson, Puppeteer Muddy Waters, Bluesman Robert Johnson, Bluesman Eudora Welty, Writer James Earl Jones, Actor Tennessee Williams, Playwright B.B. King, Bluesman Oprah Winfrey, Entertainer George Ohr, Potter Richard Wright, Writer Second Floor The second floor is divided into six galleries that focus on influences on Mississippi artists, past and present: Land, Home, Community, Church, People + Places, and the Global Community. Vision To showcase Mississippi’s global legacy in every area of the arts, to honor Mississippi’s legends in arts and entertainment, and to inspire tomorrow’s artists through exhibitions, performances, classes and events. Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience | 2155 Front Street | Meridian, MS 39301 | msarts.org .