Tuning Up: Artisphere sponsor, Mellon museum grants

Good morning! 

“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…

Artisphere’s title sponsor re-ups. Artisphere announced a continued three year partnership with TD Bank, who has been the presenting sponsor since the festival’s inception in 2005. The festival takes place every year the second full weekend in May, during Mother’s Day weekend. The three-day event has something for patrons of all ages, with art, music, food, interactive exhibits, and more along the popular Main Street corridor. Though 2020’s festival was virtual, Artisphere is planning for a safe return in 2021.

Museum struggles continue. One-third of American museums are at risk of closure, according to a recent American Alliance of Museums study. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced the second round of the Art Museum Futures Fund, distributing additional emergency COVID-19 grants totaling $3 million to provide much-needed support to small arts and cultural institutions across the U.S. Unfortunately none of the first- or second-round grantees are South Carolina institutions, but we post to remind our readers that your local museum, art or otherwise, is likely feeling the pain of the pandemic. Support them, other local arts organizations, and #SCartists in any way you can.