The Tupelo Ballet is a non-profit organization chartered in 1982. The founder, Sharon Long, serves as artistic director. The Ballet is funded from various sources including grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Southern Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, financial assistance has been provided by CREATE, Inc., the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bancorp South, Trustmark, and BellSouth Mobility. The Ballet frequently sponsors professional companies as well as guest artists and has presented its own full length productions including “Coppelia”, “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cinderella,” “The Nutcracker.” and “A Mid-Summer Night's Dream.” Several performances have also been staged at no charge to area school children and also at the Tupelo Gumtree Festival and Elvis Festival.