New video series highlights similarities in the arts, advanced manufacturing
South Carolina Arts Commission and SC Future Makers partner to launch video series
The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) and the SC Future Makers are partnering to show K-12 students how creativity and the arts play a vital role in advanced manufacturing across the state.
Their collaboration launches with a new video series that explores the intersection of art and industry, illustrating how creative thinking fuels innovation in South Carolina’s manufacturing sector.
“This innovative series showcases how creativity powers industry,” said Executive Director David Platts of the South Carolina Arts Commission. “We’re excited to share stories that connect South Carolina’s artistic talent with our thriving manufacturing community.”
Manufacturing contributes more than $200 billion to the state’s economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Today’s manufacturers rely on creative problem-solving and design skills, capabilities fostered through arts education. SCAC aims to highlight these connections and open students’ eyes to high-paying careers in this field.
The series bridges two initiatives: Creative Careers Studio, SCAC’s platform for helping students and young professionals explore arts-related career paths; and South Carolina Future Makers, founded by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance to connect talent to career opportunities with South Carolina manufacturers. Together, they offer valuable resources for students, families, and educators.
“South Carolina Future Makers was the first program in the nation to connect K-12 students with careers in manufacturing and technology,” said Elisabeth Kovacs, executive director of South Carolina Future Makers. “When we discovered SCAC’s mission, it was clear this partnership could create real impact.”
The video series was directed and produced by Sherard Duvall, founder and CEO of OTR Media Group, who helped shape the project from the ground up.
“Creative industries are among the fastest growing sectors in the U.S.,” Duvall said. “This series, and the Creative Careers Studio platform, give South Carolinians the tools they need to compete and succeed.”
The videos offer a behind-the-scenes look at how artistic thinking enhances areas like automotive design, product development, and more. They spotlight real collaborations between artists and manufacturers that are shaping the state’s economic and cultural future. Participating manufacturers played a crucial role in shaping the content by offering a look inside their day-to-day operations. Roylco, Springs Creative, Sage Automotive Interiors, and VELUX Skylights all contributed their unique perspectives to the series.
“Art and manufacturing may seem like two different worlds, but they’re deeply connected through design, innovation, and problem-solving,” said Sidney Locke, SCFM Board of Directors Chair and Global Vice President – HR, Purchasing and Communication at Sage Automotive Interiors. “This partnership helps students see that artistic skills don’t just belong in a studio—they belong on the factory floor, in the lab, and at the heart of modern industry.”
“This project celebrates the powerful partnerships between creatives and manufacturers,” SCAC Deputy Director and Arts Grow SC Executive Director Ashley Brown said. “It shows how the arts are helping drive South Carolina forward.”
The series is now available on the Creative Careers Studio YouTube channel.
About…
The South Carolina Arts Commission
The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to promote access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina. We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences.
A state agency created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the SCAC works to increase public participation in the arts through grants, direct programs, staff assistance and partnerships in artist development, arts industry, arts learning, creative placemaking, and folklife and traditional arts. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the SCAC is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts, and other sources. Visit SouthCarolinaArts.com or call 803.734.8696, and follow @SCArtsComm on Facebook, Instagram, and X for #Arts4SC and #SCArtists content.
SC Future Makers
SC Future Makers, founded by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and powered by the online platform Tallo, connects talent to career opportunities with South Carolina manufacturers and other related industries through engagement with educational institutions, businesses and community partners. Since its debut in 2016, SC Future Makers has worked with more than 135,000 South Carolinians and more than 200 South Carolina high schools.
