New grant to support Arts Commission’s Lowcountry programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 March 2018
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is announcing a new grant awarded by Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) to support implementation of programs in coastal South Carolina counties.
The Expansion Arts Fund of CCF is awarding $25,675. The fund’s goals are to improve the climate for expansion arts, and to encourage initiative and change in expansion arts organizations and artists. Expansion Arts are defined as the works of new and emerging arts groups and artists – especially those from minority, rural or disadvantaged communities – that expand the definition of traditional art.
Grants from the fund are intended to support the work of professional artists and arts companies, so projects that focus on arts as a social service or educational program are not eligible for funding. For individuals, eligible projects may include professional development or the production of new work. The grant will enable SCAC to expand programs already in place from March 2018 through June 2019 in Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, and Jasper counties.
“We’re grateful to have additional support from Coastal Community Foundation that allows us to further our work of providing everyone in South Carolina access to the arts and arts-related programs,” SCAC Executive Director Ken May said.
Three key SCAC programs will be assisted by this CCF grant funding:
- Art of Community: Rural SC: Launched in 2016 with funding assistance by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, this program advances the SCAC’s commitment to rural development through arts, culture and creative placemaking. Projects are underway in six counties in southern South Carolina, of which Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper fall under the umbrella of the CCF grant.
- ArtsGrowSC: A partnership of the SCAC and CommunityWorks, a community development finance institution based in Greenville, this pilot program is designed to increase opportunities for artisans to develop and grow arts-based business ventures. ArtsGrowSC combines the strengths of both organizations to offer resources for qualifying artists, including a savings program, micro-loans, business venture loans, matching grants, personalized coaching and workshops.
- SCAC Quarterly Grants: Grants are made available each fiscal quarter to individual artists to promote professional development or career advancement and to arts organizations to assist a wide variety of quality arts projects and programs and/or for professional development opportunities assisting artistic and managerial staff.
Information about these programs is available from SCAC Program Director Joy Young: 803.734.8203 or jyoung@arts.sc.gov.
ABOUT THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS COMMISSION
The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances.
Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants, and l eadership initiatives in three areas:
- arts education,
- community arts development,
- and artist development.
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. For more information, visit SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.
