Tiffany Silverman & Richard O’Malley: 2026 S.C. Arts Awards Spotlight Series
Meet the Recipients
As the day nears for the 2026 South Carolina Arts Awards, The Hub is shining the spotlight on this year’s recipients, introducing them to you in greater detail.
This is the schedule:
- April 29: Tammy Leach and Laurel Horton
- May 1: Bill Harris and Beckee Garris
- May 5: ArtsNOW and Columbia Museum of Art
- Today: Tiffany Reed Silverman and Dr. Richard O’Malley
- May 12: Ian Welch
Tiffany Reed Silverman | Governor’s Award, Individual Category
- James Island, South Carolina
Silverman
With a personal mission to facilitate transformative experiences at the intersection of the arts, the military, and the community, Tiffany Reed Silverman has impacted thousands of lives within our state and beyond.
Born to a Marine and a teacher in Beaufort, Silverman earned degrees in art history at the College of William & Mary and Williams College, and a certificate in arts management from UMass Amherst. She has held arts-related positions in publishing and museums, including director of education at the Gibbes Museum of Art.
After starting as adjunct faculty at The Citadel, in 2011 Silverman was made the school’s first permanent faculty member in the arts then named the institution’s first director of fine arts. More than a quarter of cadets now participate in the arts. She was instrumental in the launch of the Moore Art Gallery and has curated multiple exhibits, including Behind the Lines: Combat Art and The Citadel Experience—now on a national tour. She is a champion for public art, including a panel honoring the South Carolina National Guard and a mural for those lost in the Emmanuel 9 tragedy.
Silverman’s board service includes the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Coastal Carolina Scouting USA, the Charleston Museum, the City of Charleston’s Commission on the Arts, the Junior League of Charleston, and the advisory board of the Patriot Art Foundation. A frequent speaker on the role of art in the military, she has been honored for both her civic service and teaching.
A James Island resident, Silverman has been married for 25 years and is the mother of three sons.
Dr. Richard O’Malley | Governor’s Award, Arts In Education Individual Category
- Florence, South Carolina
O’Malley
Dr. Richard O’Malley has served as superintendent of Florence One Schools for the past eight years. Before coming to South Carolina, Dr. O’Malley served as superintendent in New Jersey for 15 years where he focused on ensuring that all students achieved the highest level of academic success by implementing mental health supports, ensuring equity for all students, and enhancing the arts and athletics. Through his leadership, Florence One embarked on a mission to transform the district and its community, earning local, state and national recognition for innovations in technology, teaching and learning, and student achievement, along the way.
Dr. O’Malley has benefited from a broad range of experiences in education, working in PK-12 teaching, coaching and administrative positions in several school districts. He has been a catalyst for change in South Carolina, especially regarding teacher and staff benefits, spearheading an effort to provide paid parental leave for district employees; he has also provided other benefits including paid health benefits, tuition reimbursement, salary increases and bonuses for staff.
Dr. O’Malley is truly a friend of the arts and music community. As superintendent he understands the importance of arts education and has spearheaded numerous million-dollar investments in the arts districtwide to provide new and innovative supplies, equipment, and facilities that support success in classrooms, on the stage, and in competitions. These earned state and national recognition for Florence One programs, staff and students. Dr. O’Malley’s work to enhance quality arts education programs and inspire others to pursue higher education are continuously exemplified in his educational pursuits. He is committed to ensuring every student has equitable access to the arts and, together with district staff, transforming music and art education across the district.
Dr. O’Malley’s leadership has led to substantial change in Florence One Schools, evidenced by numerous statewide awards. He was named Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina Athletic Directors and Nurses Associations and was the recipient of the SC Art Education Association’s Outstanding Administrator of the Year, the South Carolina Music Educators Associations Honor Administrator of the Year, and the Palmetto State Arts Education Art Administrator of the Year. This year Florence One Schools was also presented Palmetto State Arts Education’s Ray Doughty Arts Integration Award. During his tenure, district schools and staff have received numerous national grants and awards including Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, SC Palmetto’s Finest Awards, and two arts administrators of the year awards.
Dr. O’Malley attended Clemson University for his undergraduate studies and has a doctorate in educational administration from Seton Hall University. He lives in Florence with his wife Christina, to whom he has been married for 28 years. They have three beautiful children: Ryan (26) who is in his healthcare administrator at MUSC in Columbia; Kaitlin (23) who graduated from Clemson University and currently in graduate school for public health; and Emma (21) a senior at Clemson University.
Watch the 2026 South Carolina Arts Awards Sunday, May 17 at 7 p.m. EDT.
The SCAC is excited to present its streaming presentation of the awards, which include new short films documenting the recipients made by talented South Carolina filmmakers.
Viewers can access it via the SCAC YouTube Channel, and it will also be streamed through the SCAC Facebook page. Internet-connected smart TV’s or streaming devices with the YouTube app may be used for a more broadcast-style experience.