SCAC budget increases survive as governor signs budget bill

Largest single increase in agency’s history

Late Wednesday, Governor Henry McMaster signed the state budget approved last week by House and Senate votes.

The Hub has chronicled the budget’s journey through the House, Senate, House again, a conference committee, House a third time, Senate again, and finally the governor’s desk. (Pro tip: hydrate.) Of the 32 vetoes, all were earmarks designated to pass through state agencies and not the agencies themselves.

Great! So now what? As we’ve reported, $5.5 million in new money will come to the South Carolina Arts Commission primarily for grantmaking efforts across the state for a total of around $8 million in state appropriations. Those, coupled with federal appropriations by way of the National Endowment for the Arts and ARP ESSER funding, comprise the SCAC’s FY23 operating budget of $22.2 million.

One last time, the new money includes:

• $2 million increase in recurring funds for grants
• $3 million of one-time funding for grants
• $500,000 in one-time funding for rural pilot programs

While one process ends, another begins. A new fiscal year begins July 1, and the SCAC’s grantmaking operations will resume soon thereafter to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina. As grant categories open, count on The Hub and SCAC social media channels (@scartscomm) to keep you up-to-date!

Fin.

---

Past updates

• June 16: State budget heads to governor’s desk
• June 13: Conference committee agrees to big increase in arts funding
• May 13: Conference committee to take up state budget
• April 29: State budget (arts funding!) heads back to House
• April 20: S.C. Senate votes for increased arts funding
• March 15: S.C. House passes increased arts funding
• Feb. 25: FY23 state arts funding update
• Feb. 10: SCAC seeking $5 million in FY23 state budget

---