S.C. Arts Commission welcomes Ashley Kerns Brown as arts education director

Ashley Kerns Brown has joined the staff of the South Carolina Arts Commission as arts education program director.

“Ashley joins us at a pivotal time for our future work in arts education and education reform in general,” said Ken May, S.C. Arts Commission executive director. “We are focused on responding to the findings of our 2014 Arts Education Task Force, which recommended new approaches to provide high quality arts education to students in high poverty areas. The House Education Task Force is focused on responding to the Abbeville school equity lawsuit and built into its recommendation a piece that relates to arts education. We have been involved in those discussions and anticipate having a role in carrying out any resulting legislation.”

Brown will manage arts education programming, working closely with the Arts In Basic Curriculum (ABC) partnership, the approved artist roster, and arts education grant programs. She will develop new initiatives and build upon existing programs and partnerships that help provide a quality arts education to all children in South Carolina.

A native of Greenville, S.C., Brown previously served as the education and engagement manager for Opening Nights Performing Arts at Florida State University. An accomplished teacher, she spent three years at Stone Academy of Communication Arts in Greenville, S.C., and nearly a decade at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in Charlotte N.C. She has worked throughout the Southeast with several companies, including Off Tryon Theatre Company, S.C. Children’s Theatre, and Brevard Music Center. She received her BA in Theatre from Winthrop University and her MFA in Theatre Management from Florida State University.

“I am overjoyed to return to my home state of South Carolina and am honored to join the passionate and dedicated team at the South Carolina Arts Commission,” said Brown. I look forward to working with communities, schools, civic organizations, and businesses to provide opportunities for our students to learn from and through the arts as they develop into world- class citizens.”

For more information about the Arts Commission’s programs and services, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.