A salute to arts-based learning
National Arts In Education Week 2024
The South Carolina Arts Commission is proud to have led the charge in our state’s recent major investment in arts-based learning.
To our partners across the state: Take time to celebrate these wins that span nearly half a century:
- The Arts in Basic Curriculum Institute (which began as a Project) was a first-of-its-kind national model in 1987, the South Carolina Arts Commission’s partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and Winthrop University is no project. It is an established collaboration that has sustained numerous challenges and continues to serve as an innovative model to assist student recovery from the unprecedented crisis of a pandemic.
- To assist learning loss resulting from said pandemic, the SCAC partnered again with the SCDE on a landmark, $20 million program known as Arts Grow SC. The three-year program attracted national attention again as it used proven methods to help students recover from missed classroom time.
- In its first full year Arts Grow SC provided funding in one arts learning grant category. It counted about 9,900 K-12 students as participants.
- In the second year, Arts Grow SC supported six grant categories. Across all its initiatives, special projects, and grant programs, Arts Grow SC served 209,378 K-12 participants.
- As the three-year funding ends, Arts Grow SC has provided an entirely new framework for arts learning, drawing on local, state, and even national partnerships. Using a collective impact model, these partnerships are affecting arts-based learning for more students than ever before, right where they live and play.
- The state General Assembly is providing steady funding increases over the past several years that have allowed for additional grantmaking as federal ARP ESSER funding expires.
“As a former high school musician, I know firsthand the power of school-based arts programs to expand the educational horizon of students,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “Whether performance or visual arts, these disciplines open up pathways of creativity, collaboration, and confidence-building for our young people. I’m honored to express my committed support for arts education in delivering the well-rounded experience every South Carolina student deserves.”
The South Carolina Arts Alliance is looking forward to highlighting much more arts learning content this week. Head to their website or visit their social media accounts for more: