"I really believe in what is happening here," he said of MSA. "This is a tremendous opportunity for the students ... the arts are critical to everyone's education and we put it on the back burner too many times."
Acton replaces Carol Alderman, who served as interim MSA leader following Executive Director Dr. Vicki Lambert's retirement at the end of June. Alderman left for another consulting assignment.
Acton is a Mississippi College graduate with a masters of arts from the University of Mississippi. He did continuing graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Acton has worked in school administration in Jackson and Madison County, but was also an art teacher and a coach before getting into the office side of the job. He stressed the need for artists not only to beautify the world, but to attract industry to the state.
"These kids can come and learn and work their craft at an early age, and that means a tremendous amount of scholarships every year," he said. "In addition, we provide a workforce that will help draw industries, for instance that may have a need for graphic arts. It's important that we have these people."
Other schools are not as well equipped to nurture the needs of a budding artist, Acton said, and for that reason he believes in MSA as a positive for Mississippi.
"This is giving kids a leg up on the workforce that without the scholarship opportunities they wouldn't get," he said. "We've got too few art teachers and quality voice teachers, and dance is virtually nonexistent throughout the state. And any literary training is generally through the English classes and not focused on producing literary talent."
Mississippi Department of Education Director of Communications Pete Smith said that there has not yet been a new director chosen for MSA.
"We had no action on that in last month's meeting," he said. "He will serve as the lead administrator until the board can appoint an interim director or new director, and our next meeting is August 20."
|
|
