"Tuning Up" is a morning post series where The Hub delivers curated, quick-hit arts stories of interest to readers. Sometimes there will be one story, sometimes there will be several. Get in tune now, and have a masterpiece of a day. And now, in no particular order...
One Word Poetry Festival returning to Rock Hill this month
Rock Hill Poet Laureate Angelo Geter, in conjunction with the Rock Hill Poet Laureate Committee, Arts Council of York County, and Comporium, is pleased to announce the second annual One Word Poetry Festival, which will take place from March 30-April 2, 2022.
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- a creative writing showcase by Winthrop University students;
- a Youth Open Mic;
- Adult Open Mic featuring music by Rock Hill Hall of Fame band, “Mellogroove,” where there will be a food truck and beverages for sale from the Rock Hill Bottle Shop;
- and various workshops will be offered for free Saturday morning and afternoon for children 12 and under, middle and high school students, and adults.
Contact Rock Hill Poet Laureate Angelo Geter with questions: onewordpoetryfestival@gmail.com or 757.870.2497.
Leader sought for Arts Center at Fountain Park in Rock Hill
The Arts Center at Fountain Park (ACFP) is seeking a 21st century leader to help build the region’s premier arts destination.

Scope & responsibilities
The Executive Director must bring the leadership skills and experience to nurture a strong, diverse set of relationships and inspire professionals and volunteers on behalf of the organization. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission, vision, and financial objectives. Fundraising and donor stewardship- Initiates and manages an integrated development program as principal architect of the capital campaign fundraising strategy, including the creation and execution of a daily, monthly, and annual action plan to maximize contributed income from diverse sources.
- Assumes the lead role in fundraising, working in collaboration with the Board, and campaign counsel to maximize fundraising impact for the construction of a new facility.
- Develop an annual giving, major gift, and corporate sponsorship fundraising program.
- Provides personal contact and an accessible “institutional face” to current and prospective donors, volunteers, and the public.
- Guides, supports, and engages the Board and other volunteers in fundraising and advocacy.
- Works with the Board to develop and implement long term branding strategies.
- Oversees functions related to the marketing and communications with a focus on maximizing revenue, audience development, and elevated public awareness.
- Oversees vendor relationships including designers, printers, consultants, and photographers.
- Provides ongoing reporting to the Board and stakeholders on the organization’s progress toward strategic goals.
- Provides support to and stewardship of the Board and the committees of the Board.
- Educates and engages individual board members in fundraising, advocacy, and community ambassadorship.
- Partners with Board to maintain a robust pipeline of prospective board members as part of a comprehensive board development strategy.
- Maintains relationships with state, local, and federal government agencies.
- Provides direction and oversight for programming and presenting activities, ensuring programs are developed with input from the community.
- Works collaboratively to plan events including but not limited to music, dance, theater, pottery, and art exhibits.
- Develops partnership strategies, engagement activities with schools, local artists, local universities, and community organizations to further the impact of ACFP’s activities.
- Leads community-building programs around the region in advance of and after the opening of the center.
- Develops and ensures that annual programming, as well as educational and community engagement plans, are budgeted appropriately.
- Monitors ACFP’s financial position and makes recommendations to the Board and acts to ensure the most effective use of financial resources.
- Oversees the continued mentoring, coaching, and professional development of the staff, systems, and organizational practices that create an effective infrastructure.
- Ensure the organization is effectively structured and staffed by setting the standard for a positive environment of mutual respect and caring.
Qualities & qualifications
The ideal candidate must be an experienced fundraiser and manager with a proven track record of success in the non-profit arts community. She/he should have an acute sense of strategy and a passion for the arts. The ED will have compelling personal qualities of integrity, leadership, outstanding communications skills, exceptional judgment, and an entrepreneurial nature. The successful candidate should be a proven leader, a charismatic communicator, as well as a “doer” with a willingness to be hands-on. This position will build enthusiasm for the organization, its performances, and programs, and for innovative approaches that advance the reputation of ACFP as a cultural and community leader in the region. Qualifications- Passion for the mission of ACFP and demonstrated ongoing passion for the arts.
- A record of personal success in raising money through major gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, corporations, or the public sector; broad-based knowledge of various development activities including membership, direct mail, proposal, and grant development, planned gifts, event planning and management, and direct solicitations.
- Leveraging fundraising databases and support systems for donor segmentation, research, and volunteer management.
- Ability to navigate a complex fundraising environment with nuanced strategies and initiatives, while building an effective group of volunteer fundraisers through board development and gaining respect of community and business leaders.
- Broad knowledge of branding, communications, and external relations and demonstrated success with establishing sponsorships, stewardship and donor recognition programs that sustain long-term relationships.
- A track record as an exceptional communicator, in writing as well as verbally; adept at writing proposals, solicitation letters, donor correspondence, and other materials.
- Demonstrated management skills in motivating, developing, and managing staff and consultants, and in coordinating and supporting the fundraising activities of others.
- Ability to work collaboratively, engage and inspire others, and develop a rapport with many diverse people and groups, including staff, civic leaders, patrons, donors, and friends of ACFP.
- Experience in planning and managing facility design and construction.
- A bachelor’s degree is required.
- Salary range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000.
Contact
Bennett W. Hoke, Managing Director Carter Global 2145 14th Avenue, Suite 2 Vero Beach, FL 32960 385.246.4555 bhoke@carter.globalArts Council of York County announces new leader
New executive director starts next month
Lori Robishaw was named the new executive director of the Arts Council of York County (ACYC) Thursday, and the organization expects her tenure to begin Monday, Nov. 15.
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More about Lori Robishaw
Lori Robishaw has held positions with some of America’s leading regional theatres, including managing the National Playwrights Conference for the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in New York City and Waterford, CT. She also was a founder of CATCO, now Columbus’s major resident professional theatre, The Echo Theater Company in Los Angeles, and the Ojai Playwrights Conference. In addition, she has worked in higher education in a senior staff communications position at Ohio State, as well as in the broader nonprofit arts sector for the Ohio Arts Council—which included a fellowship with the National Endowment for the Arts—and The Music Center of Los Angeles County. She has also forayed briefly into the commercial sector by managing a producer’s office for a season on Broadway and working for two film production companies and as a script analyst in Hollywood. Robishaw holds a BA in theatre from Ohio State and an MFA in theatre management from the Yale School of Drama.About the Arts Council of York County
The Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at 803.328.2787, by email at arts@yorkcountyarts.org, or visit yorkcountyarts.org.
Rock Hill teen named youth poet laureate
It's a South Carolina first
Rock Hill was recently the host city for the “One Word Poetry Festival,” a creation of Rock Hill Poet Laureate Angelo Geter.
This three-day festival attracted a large crowd for a first-time event. Many of the events were free, open to the public and well attended. One of the major events was the selection of a youth poet laureate. Thirteen young poets submitted their work and 17-year-old Alexandra Aradas was named the winner. Not only is this distinction an honor for her personally, but also for Rock Hill and South Carolina; she is the city's and state's first youth poet laureate. Aradas is a rising senior at the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville. While her concentration is creative writing, she hopes to have a career in politics. The Rock Hill Youth Poet Laureate Program celebrates and honors teen poets who exhibit a commitment to not just artistic excellence, but also civic engagement, youth leadership and social justice. The position has a one-year term. Aradas will be celebrated Thursday, July 29 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts/Arts Council of York County (121 East Main St., Rock Hill).
Position announcement for ACYC executive director
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, July 9, 2021
The Arts Council of York County (ACYC) Board of Directors is seeking an energetic and transformative leader for its next full-time executive director.

About Arts Council of York County
Established in 1977, ACYC is a 501c3 organization that strives to create and support a thriving, diverse, and vibrant arts community in York County, South Carolina. Its mission is to create arts programming that encourages education, economic development and arts advocacy through unique art experiences that engage the community to make York County a regional arts destination. Centrally located in historic Old Town Rock Hill, South Carolina, ACYC has established an arts anchor on three blocks of Main Street. The Center for the Arts, housed in two 100-year-old buildings, is currently home to the Arts Council offices, classroom space, artist studios and three gallery spaces. The Gettys Art Center, also one of Rock Hill’s historic buildings, is home to Downtown Artistry, the Rock Hill Pottery Center, Social Design House, and more artist studios, including Friday Arts Project. In 2018, results from the National Endowment of the Arts Arts & Economic Impact Study helped to change the perception of The Arts – leaders now recognize the arts as an economic engine, generating a $27 Million economic impact in York County and contributing to York County being the fastest growing county in South Carolina.About the Position
The executive director must be a visionary catalyst for advancing and achieving the mission of ACYC. Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:- Organizational mission and strategy – spearhead strategic planning to ensure multi-year opportunities and growth for the organization to fulfill its mission into the future. Establish, implement, and evaluate programming and events that align with and support the organization’s mission.
- Board management – lead the ACYC in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors; communicate effectively, timely, and accurately with the Board all information necessary to function properly, engage, and make informed decisions; convene monthly meetings of the Board (and committees, as appropriate) and maintain an accurate record of meeting minutes, agendas, and other critical information; regularly review the bylaws to ensure all activities of ACYC are in accordance.
- Day-to-day operations – provide organizational leadership in all aspects of ACYC operations to include recruitment, hiring, training, development, supervision and management of staff; oversee operation, facility rentals, and maintenance of ACYC owned and managed facilities; ensure the recruitment, retention, and recognition of volunteers; develop and implement appropriate procedures and guidelines to complement ACYC policies and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
- Financial management, performance and viability – ensure the fiscal integrity of ACYC; prepare, present, and administer an annual budget to ensure fiscal solvency; work in partnership with the Board Finance Committee to monitor financial and investment activities and make adjustments as needed and approved; develop necessary resources to support ACYC’s mission to include growing business and individual memberships and sponsorships; implement a robust fundraising program to include grants, donor solicitations, special events, and other appropriate funding opportunities; manage compliance of grants from federal, state, local government and other entities; ensure effective stewardship of all ACYC resources and supporters.
- Community liaison and advocate – expand and enhance ACYC’s reputation and image by being an active and visible community partner and working closely with other organizations; develop strong arts alliances with the community and actively evaluate potential opportunities to develop or expand partnerships; serve as a representative, liaison, or member on a variety of state, regional, and local boards and committees; serve as an advocate for the arts at state and local levels; strengthen and maintain relationships with ACYCs partner organizations; promote York County and Rock Hill as an arts and cultural destination to attract emerging talent; lead all community outreach efforts for the organization.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and effectively build strong relationships and partnerships, both internally and externally
- Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
- Proficiency with grant writing, fundraising, and donor development
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Demonstrated passion and understanding of the arts
Education, Training, and Experience
Candidates for this position will need to possess the following:- Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, arts education, non-profit management or related field; master’s degree preferred
- A minimum of five years in management
- Supervisory and leadership experience
- Programs and operations management
- Experience with strategic planning and implementation
- Proven success and track record in fundraising
- Involvement in and appreciation of the arts community
Compensation
The salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits are competitive and include paid time off (PTO) for personal and sick leave, 401(k), health insurance and more.Application
Interested persons should apply by submitting the following information:- Cover letter, expressing interest in the position and highlighting experiences that make them a qualified applicant
- Résumé
- Professional references (a minimum of five, including email addresses and telephone numbers)
- Salary expectations
Rock Hill resident selected for Alabama juried exhibition
Patrick Faile's painting "Spring Break" was selected for the Watercolor Society of Alabama's 2020 National Juried Exhibition.
This is his third acceptance to this national exhibition and qualifies him for Signature Membership within the Watercolor Society of Alabama. He is also member of numerous watercolor societies across America and this will be his fourth signature membership. He is a native and resident of Rock Hill and a working watercolor artist known for his national park paintings.
More of his work may be seen on his website at https://www.patrickfaile.com/.
Rock Hill Symphony expands hometown as ‘cultural asset’
A new story from WFAE 90.7 FM gave a great look yesterday at the role "South Carolina's newest orchestra" is playing in expanding the cultural offerings of Rock Hill (which boasts one of the charter South Carolina Cultural Districts).
According to the story: "as the city carves a more distinct identity – i.e., as something other than a suburb of Charlotte – the push to expand Rock Hill’s musical culture scene is a major component."
The orchestra started in 2018 after its founders realized Rock Hill was the largest South Carolina city without an orchestra. The story goes on to detail the orchestra's quick growth to a larger concert space and its hopes for a home of its own.
Click here to read more on the station's website.
20 years of family nights: Clover School District Auditorium
Clover School District Auditorium announced that Doug Berky will join them for the 20th Annual Family Night, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 at 7 p.m.
Doug Berky has been creating and evolving his own brand of physical theater for over 30 years. His original performances are an intricately woven fabric of Commedia dell'arte, physical comedy, mime, mask theatre, clowning, circus arts, and storytelling.
Weaving together masks, puppets, mime, drama, comedy, music, and storytelling, Doug Berky presents stories from around the world. "GEMS: The World’s Wisdom Stories" is a visual feast filled with fanciful characters, dramatic and comic twists and turns, and “Gems” of wisdom passed down to us from many people around the world.
From Aesop’s "Fables," Jataka Tales, and stories of Hans Christian Anderson to stories from lesser known collections of folklore and mythology from Asian, African, the Middle Eastern, and Native American peoples, these stories have inspired and educated the world’s young and young at heart for years.
CSDA’s 20th Annual Family Night is an opportunity for the entire community to come together for an outstanding evening of quality family entertainment.
$5 for individuals and $10 for families of two or more: 803.222.8018.
Applications sought for $30k public art design commission in Rock Hill
Application deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018
The Women’s Art Initiative (WAI) of Rock Hill is a public art advocacy group whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the community by reflecting its cultural values and artistic vitality through public art. [caption id="attachment_34666" align="alignright" width="260"]
