In 2016, members of the Meridian community formed a 30-member Community Arts Team (CAT) and a smaller Working Group that will collaborate to develop long terms goals and short-term action steps for sustained arts education.

The Community Arts Team is a  massive effort uniting the Meridian Public School District, Mississippi State University Meridian, City of Meridian, MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts, EMBDC, The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, MS Opera Board, MS Humanities Council, Meridian Council of the Arts, Leading Edges, Phil Hardin Foundation, Meridian Museum of Art, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Little Theatre, MS Children's Museum Meridian, and numerous teaching artists, educators, consultants, and community volunteers.