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Solid gold: 50 years of the S.C. Arts Foundation

October is National Arts and Humanities month, and this commemoration of the arts' importance to our nation is an opportunity to recognize a milestone that the South Carolina Arts Foundation is celebrating: fifty years of supporting the arts in South Carolina.

The SCAF is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to recognizing, encouraging, and supporting the arts and artists of South Carolina. From its inception in 1972, the SCAF has pursued its goals through a strategic partnership with the South Carolina Arts Commission. For example, the SCAF recognizes the state's artists, arts organizations, and individuals and businesses who innovate, support, and advocate for the arts through procuring the bronze statuettes that the SCAC presents to recipients of the Governor's Awards for the Arts each year. As the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses and arts venues in South Carolina, the SCAF responded to unfolding events by establishing the South Carolina Artist Relief Fund. This online campaign made it easy for individuals and businesses to contribute to a central fund in response to the crisis.  In turn, the SCAF gave the funds it had raised to the SCAC, supplementing other funding. Through SCARF and other funding sources, SCAC issued 168 grants totaling more than $125,000 to individual artists who had lost income due to the cancellation of exhibitions and performances or through other pandemic-related disruptions. More recently, the SCAF has been working to ensure that the arts in South Carolina will enjoy support in perpetuity by establishing endowments for that purpose. The SCAF Board of Directors engaged donors to endow the Nina Liu South Carolina Arts Commission State Art Collection Fund in 2019. That endowment supports the acquisition of art and the maintenance, conservation, and storage of the SCAC's important collection of South Carolina art. Though the endowment is young, it already has provided funding for the acquisition of a piece for the collection on the secondary market. As the SCAF embarked upon its fiftieth anniversary this past summer, it established the South Carolina Arts Foundation Fund.  As it matures, proceeds from this new endowment will allow the SCAF to benefit the arts that are so important to South Carolina’s citizens and communities. “Fifty years is a tremendous accomplishment for any organization to celebrate,” says Steve Bygott, president of the South Carolina Arts Foundation, “and launching these funds will ensure that the SCAF will be able to support the arts in South Carolina for the next 50 years, and more." For five decades, the South Carolina Arts Foundation has partnered with the South Carolina Arts Commission to strengthen artist development, arts education, and community development through the arts across the state. Speaking of the relationship between the two organizations, David Platts, executive director of the SCAC, says, "The South Carolina Arts Commission is grateful for a willing partner like the SCAF as we work together to further the arts in the Palmetto State. We congratulate them on 50 years of strategic support in this effort.”
To learn more about the South Carolina Arts Foundation, visit https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/foundation/.

Submitted material

Applications to open for more #SCartists emergency relief

SCAC announces second round of funding

APPLICATION PERIOD: March 8-26, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET  

Practicing individual artists who are South Carolina residents may apply for up to $500 of emergency relief funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission March 8 through March 26.

These emergency grants support artists who have lost income related to their artistic practice because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to be eligible for these no-match grants, applicants must be:
  • a practicing artist in dance, music, opera, musical theatre, theatre, visual arts, design arts, crafts, photography, media arts, literature, and/or folk & traditional arts;
  • a legal resident of the U.S. and South Carolina with a permanent residence in the state for at least one year prior to the application date and throughout the grant period; and
  • 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
Applicants may not be degree-seeking, full-time students during the grant period. Click here for complete information. The South Carolina Arts Foundation, through its S.C. Artist Relief Fund, is supporting these grants by raising funds from private corporate and individual supporters.

Correction

(2/25/21) Early versions of this story incorrectly stated that applications were now open for this second round of relief grants. They open Monday,  March 8.

A note about arts organizations

Because of limited funding, eligible South Carolina arts organizations will be invited to apply for this round of funding privately. Please review the eligibility section of the grant page for further information.

Jason Rapp

S.C. Arts Foundation looking for #SCartists’ work

2021 Find Joy in Art Auction

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  Friday, April 9, 2021 (Updated)

The South Carolina Arts Foundation (SCAF) invites South Carolina artists to participate in its 2021 online auction.

The Art Auction is meant to serve as both a sales opportunity for South Carolina’s visual artists and as an opportunity to build and promote arts patronage. A selection committee will select artists whose work will be included in the auction. Artists will be notified of their inclusion by Friday, April 9, 2021. The auction will be held May 17-21 and May 24-28. Ed. note: Clarifying language was added to the general information below on Feb. 26. A submission deadline extension was announced April 5.

General

  1. Open to artists working in 2-D and 3-D.
  2. Works should be of high artistic quality.
  3. Works should have a broad appeal.
  4. Works must be original.
  5. 2-D works must be framed.
  6. Works should be representative of the artist’s style.

Size, Shipping and/or Delivery, Insurance

There are no restrictions on size of artwork. However, the cost of shipping and/or delivery to the buyer should be considered by the artist. While shipping and/or delivery of artwork to the buyer is the responsibility of the artist, the South Carolina Arts Foundation will help facilitate deliveries when possible. Additionally, sold works being shipped must be insured.

Application Process and Submission Requirements

Minimum Bids

The South Carolina Arts Foundation will handle the sale with the agreed upon split of the minimum. The artist’s stated price will be listed as the minimum bid. Anything over and above the minimum bid will also go to the South Carolina Arts Foundation. Example: Artwork price established by artist is $100. This price is where the bidding begins. Based on the available share options (artist/SCAF) 75/25%; 0/100% or other which cannot be less than 25% for the Foundation, the artist receives his/her percentage share. Proceeds above the artist’s stated price will be retained by the Foundation to support the programs and services of the S.C. Arts Commission.
If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Lee at the South Carolina Arts Commission (clee@arts.sc.gov | 803.734-8674).

Jason Rapp

S.C. Arts Commission grants eclipsed $5.5 million in FY20

Emergency relief assisted 346 artists and arts organizations

Grants distributed in 44 counties

For Immediate Release

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In recently completed FY2020, South Carolina Arts Commission grants totaling $5.59 million went out into state communities to assist 835 artists and providers of arts and arts education.

While this represents a rise of more than $1.1 million and 377 grants over FY2019, it is important to note that extenuating circumstances render comparisons difficult. Fourth-quarter Arts Emergency Relief grants in 2020 pushed its overall numbers up. Additional funding from the state general assembly nudged the non-relief grant totals higher than FY2019 by just less than $685,000 with 489 grants awards versus 458. A new impact map available on the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) website provides visual representation of the statewide impact of agency grants (and their related programs).

Arts Emergency Relief was a factor

Arts Emergency Relief grants, announced in April, added $506,736 to FY2020 totals. Those provided support funding to arts organizations and artists who could prove losses from shutdowns caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of CARES Act funding was granted to the National Endowment for the Arts for distribution in part to state arts agencies like the SCAC. The subgranted funding was designated solely to provide relief to arts organizations. The SCAC made 177 grants totaling $381,636 to South Carolina arts organizations as a result, helping those groups to offset losses and help keep them operating. Additional relief funding was provided by the South Carolina Arts Foundation. A separate entity that supports the SCAC, the foundation raised money through a spring fundraising drive that contributed around $50,000 of the $125,100 the SCAC spread among 168 individual artists. Both arts organizations and individual artists continue to suffer losses because of the pandemic’s prolonged effects and find themselves in need of additional relief. A recent Brookings Institution study estimated losses in South Carolina’s arts and creative sectors of $1.2 billion.

It was still a big year

The SCAC’s normal grant categories experienced a big year. Grants that provided funding support to the SCAC’s three service areas of arts education, artist development, and community arts development increased to nearly $5.1 million in FY2020. Grants were made in 44 of 46 counties, and one out-of-state grant covered programmatic obligations to South Arts, a regional arts organization and frequent partner in the SCAC’s work. One big factor was the January introduction of School Art Materials grants. This new grant provided one-time money for arts teachers to purchase supplies and other needed materials to assist them in providing quality arts education. There were 63 grants awarded totaling $396,000. The largest single grant category remained General Operating Support, which enable arts organizations across the state to provide arts experiences to residents and visitors alike. $1.9 million was distributed among 129 such organizations. Another $112,000 was awarded in operating support to smaller arts organizations. While the majority of the SCAC’s funding comes from state appropriations, it is grateful for additional generous funding support from the Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of CCF. Funding from those sources is applied to two SCAC grant categories: Subgranting and Arts Project Support.
  • Partnering arts agencies in South Carolina receive grants they may subgrant to artists and arts organizations in the communities they serve. CCF support helped seven awards in the category total $70,000 in FY2020.
  • A grant from the John & Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of CCF helped the SCAC fund arts projects for artists (14) and arts organization (18) in 12 counties totaling around $30,000.
As of the start of FY2021 on July 1, 2020, the state is operating under a continuing resolution that holds its budget at FY2020 levels until January, when lawmakers expect to have a clearer picture of the effect of the pandemic on the state’s finances. The SCAC is working to ensure that state lawmakers are aware of losses suffered by arts providers and practitioners while we wait for the budget to be resolved.
About the South Carolina Arts Commission The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is to promote equitable 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. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the SCAC works to increase public participation in the arts by providing grants, direct programs, staff assistance and partnerships in three key 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.

Jason Rapp

Fund for artist relief announced

South Carolina Arts Foundation campaign supports #SCartists

The South Carolina Arts Foundation announces the South Carolina Artist Relief Fund (SCARF) campaign to raise funds for South Carolina artists working in all disciplines who are experiencing a loss of income because of COVID-19. Artists in need of aid can visit SouthCarolinaArts.com/foundation to find out how to apply. In addition to corporate partners providing support for the fund, including Bank of America, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Colonial Life, the Darla Moore Foundation and the Michael J. Mungo Foundation, the Arts Foundation is also accepting donations online from members of the public through GoFundMe Charity. At this time, there is no other statewide campaign to raise funds specifically for artists in South Carolina. The Arts Foundation board President Flavia Harton of Greenville says, “It is imperative that the Foundation takes an active role in providing support to South Carolina artists in this critical time of need due to canceled events. As a board, we are seeding the fund with $25,000.” The Foundation's seed money will help ensure some immediate delivery of funds to artists as it continues to raise money. “We are grateful for the support of our corporate partners who are joining our efforts to support artists.” On Wednesday, April 22, the Arts Foundation launched a GoFundMe Charity fundraiser as part of the relief fund campaign. Citizens of South Carolina have an opportunity to join the Arts Foundation’s efforts to support artists who are experiencing hardships due to canceled concerts, dance performances, readings, plays, exhibitions, lectures, workshops and other events. According to a survey conducted by Americans for the Arts, 95 percent of South Carolina artists reported loss of income and 56 percent experience unexpected expenditures as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. This survey is ongoing and artists are encouraged to take the survey. “We hope that donations from the public, combined with corporate and foundation seed funds will exceed campaign goals. The efforts of the foundation are essential,” said SCARF campaign Chairman F. Scott McMillan of Greenville. “Artists need these funds and sitting on the sidelines is unacceptable.” Not only are artists and their work a part of the vibrant fabric of our state, but also a major part of South Carolina’s economy. "Supporting artists at this time is a way to show appreciation for the joy they give us every day through their incredible talents. It’s hard to imagine what society would be like without art and our artists," says McMillan. Donations through the GoFundMe Charity platform are tax-deductible. The Foundation invites the public to help spread the word about the fund in addition to making donations at any amount. To learn more about the fund and to make a donation, visit SouthCarolinaArts.com/foundation.

About the South Carolina Arts Foundation

Established in 1972, the S.C. Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing, encouraging and supporting the art and artists of South Carolina. Throughout its history, the Foundation has pursued creative ways to help the business community and private citizens contribute to a thriving arts community across the state.

Submitted material

Deadline extended for S.C. Arts Foundation art call

Greenville gala to feature silent, live auctions

Submission deadline: Friday, January 17, 2020 Friday, January 31, 2020
[caption id="attachment_34932" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The art sale at the 2017 S.C. Arts Awards Luncheon[/caption] The South Carolina Arts Foundation (SCAF) invites South Carolina artists to participate in its 2020 Silent & Live Art Auction. The art auction takes place in conjunction with the South Carolina Arts Gala in Greenville on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at the Peace Center. The Art Auction is meant to serve as both a sales opportunity for South Carolina’s visual artists and as an opportunity to build and promote arts patronage. A five-member panel/selection committee will select artists whose work will be included in the auction. Artists will be notified of their inclusion in either the silent or live auction by mid-February 2020. Submission Guidelines
  • Artworks should be of high artistic quality.
  • Artworks should have a broad appeal.
  • Artworks must be original.
  • Artworks must be framed with appropriate hanging devices (in the case of wall-hung pieces).
  • Artworks should be representative of the artist’s style.
Size Restrictions
  • 2-D work must not exceed 24” height and 36” width (inclusive of frame) to conform to the size of the freestanding wall system.
  • 3-D work should be freestanding or should be able to fit on a pedestal that is 24” x 24.” We may be able to accommodate works that are larger.
  • Please note: The parameters for dimensions are meant to serve as a guide and not as absolute dimensions.
Application Process and Submission Requirements Minimum Bids Each artist will determine the retail price of the artwork which will be used as the minimum bid amount. South Carolina Arts Foundation will handle the sale with the agreed upon split of the minimum 75/25% (artist/SCAF). Anything over and above the minimum bid will go to the South Carolina Arts Foundation. If you have any questions, please contact South Carolina Arts Commission Visual Arts Director Harriett Green: 803.734.8762 or hgreen@arts.sc.gov. [caption id="attachment_34666" align="aligncenter" width="563"] The world-famous Hub Calls for Art Megaphone.[/caption]

S.C. Arts Foundation makes call for gala art sale

Greenville event to feature silent, live auctions

Submission deadline: Friday, January 17, 2020
[caption id="attachment_34932" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The art sale at the 2017 S.C. Arts Awards Luncheon[/caption] The South Carolina Arts Foundation (SCAF) invites South Carolina artists to participate in its 2020 Silent & Live Art Auction. The art auction takes place in conjunction with the South Carolina Arts Gala in Greenville on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at the Peace Center. The Art Auction is meant to serve as both a sales opportunity for South Carolina’s visual artists and as an opportunity to build and promote arts patronage. A five-member panel/selection committee will select artists whose work will be included in the auction. Artists will be notified of their inclusion in either the silent or live auction by mid-February 2020. Submission Guidelines
  • Artworks should be of high artistic quality.
  • Artworks should have a broad appeal.
  • Artworks must be original.
  • Artworks must be framed with appropriate hanging devices (in the case of wall-hung pieces).
  • Artworks should be representative of the artist’s style.
Size Restrictions
  • 2-D work must not exceed 24” height and 36” width (inclusive of frame) to conform to the size of the freestanding wall system.
  • 3-D work should be freestanding or should be able to fit on a pedestal that is 24” x 24.” We may be able to accommodate works that are larger.
  • Please note: The parameters for dimensions are meant to serve as a guide and not as absolute dimensions.
Application Process and Submission Requirements Minimum Bids Each artist will determine the retail price of the artwork which will be used as the minimum bid amount. South Carolina Arts Foundation will handle the sale with the agreed upon split of the minimum 75/25% (artist/SCAF). Anything over and above the minimum bid will go to the South Carolina Arts Foundation. If you have any questions, please contact South Carolina Arts Commission Visual Arts Director Harriett Green: 803.734.8762 or hgreen@arts.sc.gov. [caption id="attachment_34666" align="aligncenter" width="563"] The world-famous Hub Calls for Art Megaphone.[/caption]

Verner Award recipient Kathleen Bateson to retire

Lowcountry arts to lose decorated leader in 2020

After leading the organization since 1998, CEO/President Kathleen Bateson has announced her retirement from the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina effective June 30, 2020.  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Reeves, who has worked with Bateson since 2001, will succeed as president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2020. Bateson will remain with Arts Center as executive artistic producer until June 30, 2020. Bateson’s executive arts consulting history and corporate management experience, particularly in financial and long-range planning strategies, corporate investor relations and international marketing/PR, preceded her current CEO leadership role. During her tenure, the Arts Center has become the state’s third largest arts organization as well as its largest professional producing theatre (110+ plays). Bateson also diversified the Presenting Artists series (270+performers) and expanded the education efforts into the four-county region (265,000+ services).  In 2019 Bateson received the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts (seen above), the highest arts honor in the state, which was also awarded to the Arts Center in 2006. Bateson was also recently named to the S.C. Arts Foundation board of directors. Bob Lee, two-time Chairman of the Arts Center Board of Trustees stated, “I cannot express enough the privilege I have had working with Kathi on the Board of Trustees over the last 16 years. While her departure will certainly leave a hole in the hearts of those of us who recognize the many successes and accolades her leadership has brought to the Arts Center, we also recognize that she has assembled a skillful, capable team who will sustain the level of excellence she has created at this community jewel.”

Nominations open for S.C.’s top arts awards

Let's honor exceptionalism in the arts

[caption id="attachment_41457" align="aligncenter" width="600"]S.C. First Lady Peggy McMaster (L) and former SCAC Board Chairman Henry Horowitz (R) present the Verner and Folk Heritage awards to 2019 recipients in May 2019. S.C. First Lady Peggy McMaster (L) and former SCAC Board Chairman Henry Horowitz (R) present the Verner and Folk Heritage awards to 2019 recipients in May 2019.[/caption]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 22 August 2019 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Arts Commission, in conjunction with its partners, wants to honor the next round of exceptional arts and folklife practitioners, professionals, and advocates in the Palmetto State. Eligible persons fitting those descriptions can now be nominated for the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts or the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award. Both awards honor South Carolinians who create or support the arts, and both award programs use a simple, online nomination process. Nominations for both awards are due Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Both awards will be presented at the South Carolina Arts Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. An art sale and luncheon by the South Carolina Arts Foundation will follow the ceremony.

Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Awards

Nomination letters for Verner Awards should describe the nominee's exemplary contributions to the arts in South Carolina and should address any characteristics included in the category descriptions. The letter should answer these questions:
  • What makes the nominee superior or extraordinary?
  • How has the nominee demonstrated leadership in the arts?
  • What exceptional achievements or contributions has the nominee made, and what has been their impact on the community, state or beyond?
  • What other information about the nominee is important to know as they are considered for the state's highest award in the arts?
Verner Award nominations can be made in the following categories:
  • Arts in Education
  • Organization
  • Government
  • Business/Foundation
  • Individual
  • Artist
For complete nomination guidelines or more information about the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Awards, visit SouthCarolinaArts.com, or contact Senior Deputy Director Milly Hough: mhough@arts.sc.gov or 803.734.8698.

Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award

Created by the legislature in 1987 to recognize lifetime achievement in the traditional arts, the Folk Heritage Award is presented annually by the South Carolina General Assembly to practitioners and advocates of traditional arts significant to communities throughout the state. The S.C. Arts Commission partners with USC's McKissick Museum to manage the awards. Up to four artists and one advocate may receive awards each year. Nominations are accepted in two categories:
  • Artists: South Carolina artists who have dedicated their lives to the practice of art forms that have been passed down through their families and communities and who have demonstrated a commitment to keeping their tradition alive. Past awards have recognized art forms such as basket making, gospel singing, fiddling, hammock making and boat building.
  • Advocates: South Carolina individuals and groups that have worked to further traditional culture in the state. Those who are not traditional artists, but who have provided service that helps to sustain and promote South Carolina traditions, are eligible for the advocacy award.
Before submitting a nomination, you are strongly advised to contact Program Specialist for Community Arts & Folklife Dr. Laura Marcus Green to determine whether your nominee is eligible: lgreen@arts.sc.gov or 803.734.8764. For more information about the Folk Heritage Award, visit SouthCarolinaArts.com.

About the South Carolina Arts Commission

With a commitment to excellence across the spectrum of our state’s cultures and forms of expression, the South Carolina Arts Commission pursues its public charge to develop a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education, and economic vitality for all South Carolinians. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing grants, direct programs, staff assistance and partnerships in three key 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.

Talking Heads with Diana Farfán

'Head' to Paris Mountain for a unique experience

(Ed. note: The purpose of this post is fundraising for the South Carolina Arts Foundation, a partner of the S.C. Arts Commission. Similar posts going forward will utilize the "PROMOTION" tag in the tags listed.) Enjoy a day on Paris Mountain with artist Diana Farfán and create a work of art under the instruction of the artist. Farfán’s studio is set in a picturesque environment with spectacular views of downtown Greenville. Upon arrival, participants will enjoy a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres before settling in to hear about Farfán’s artistic journey from Bogotá, Colombia to Columbia and Greenville, where she currently resides. The artist who created the Bread and Circus series, We Marionette, the Dream Life of Broken Toys and the Toy Republic will discuss these works and the origins of the Heads. With interest piqued and creative juices flowing, participants will spend about two hours designing and hand painting (with underglazes) their own head which has been formed and bisque-fired by the artist prior to the workshop. Each head measures approximately 7” x 5” x 3”. The artist will add the finishing touches before kiln firing the works at a later date. The day ends watching a beautiful sunset and enjoying a tapas meal at the artist’s home. Bonus Experience: Participants are invited to the Kiln Opening (date and time to be determined).

About the Artist

Diana Farfán was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. She received a BFA in Ceramics and Printmaking at Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá and a Master of Fine Art in ceramics and sculpture at the University of South Carolina in 2010. Farfán also studied at the University of Anchorage (Alaska) and at the Tainan National University of the Arts in Taiwan as exchange student. Farfán is a 2019 Liberty Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Experience Details

Cost: $300 Package includes one bisque-fired ceramic head, workshop instruction, materials, light fare and dinner. Participants must provide their own round-trip transportation to artist's studio. Capacity: Just 12. The experienced is envisioned as an intimate gathering. Date: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 Times: Noon-4:30 p.m., workshop; 5-7 p.m. cocktails and tapas meal To reserve your space in this intimate, unique gathering, please contact Harriett Green (hgreen@arts.sc.gov).
  Talking Heads on Paris Mountain is organized by the South Carolina Arts Foundation. The Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to support the programs of the South Carolina Arts Commission through fundraising in the private sector.

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