New arts jobs open at SCAC, ABC Project
Arts ed, accounting, marketing positions available now
In order to provide effective and efficient service to South Carolina citizens, the S.C. Arts Commission (SCAC) and Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project are growing.
Four brand-new positions, created as a direct result of South Carolina’s landmark new $20 million arts education partnership, are now accepting applications.
This morning, two Columbia-based positions went live for the SCAC:
- For a dependable, industrious, and detail-oriented accountant/fiscal analyst with experience in financial management and knowledge of state government fiscal and accounting processes. Our ideal candidate will share our mission and values and have the ability to work closely with agency executives, staff, board, funders, governmental officials, and the public in support of financial activities for the SCAC.
- And for a creative, resourceful, and organized digital content manager who has experience generating compelling social media and video content across platforms. Our ideal candidate will share our mission and values. They will artfully capture the essence and impact of our work to show broad audiences how it brings value to and serves diverse communities across the state.
These two positions close Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Yesterday, two positions went live for the ABC Project, which is based at Winthrop University in Rock Hill:
For an ABC District Programs Specialist, who “provides leadership and guidance to help school and district administration develop and sustain policies and practices that result in arts-rich learning environments in which students have access to quality, comprehensive, standards-based arts education. Works collaboratively to coordinate programmatic activities of the ABC Project and fulfill the project’s mission across the state and the national community, as needed.”And for an ABC Educator Programs Specialist, who “provides educational expertise to South Carolina educators and administrators in order to create and maintain arts-rich learning environments in which students have access to quality, comprehensive standards-based arts education. Works collaboratively to coordinate programmatic activities of the ABC Project and fulfill the project’s mission across the state and the national community, as needed.”
(Ed. note: These two positions closed Sunday, October 17, 2021.)
Nominations open for S.C.’s best in arts, folklife
Time to recognize arts achievement, influence, and support!
NOMINATION DEADLINES: Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Nominations are now open to honor persons or organizations in South Carolina who exhibit the highest levels of achievement, influence or support of arts and folklife with the South Carolina Arts Awards.
South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts
The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is accepting nominations for the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts, which recognizes persons or organizations in South Carolina who exhibit outstanding achievement or support of the arts. The Governor’s Awards use a simple, online nomination process, and all it takes to make a nomination is one letter, which should describe the nominee’s exemplary contributions to the arts in South Carolina in these categories: Artist, Individual, Arts in Education, Government, Business/Foundation, and Organization. A nomination letter should address any characteristics included in the category descriptions. The nomination letters are due Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For complete nomination guidelines or more information about the South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts, visit SouthCarolinaArts.com or contact Senior Deputy Director Milly Hough: mhough@arts.sc.gov or 803.734.8698.
Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards
The SCAC, with McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina, honors the state’s exceptional folklife and traditional arts practitioners and advocates with the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards. The South Carolina General Assembly created the awards in 1987 to recognize lifetime achievement in the traditional arts and presents them annually to honor the work of stewarding and furthering the traditional arts significant to communities throughout the state.
McKissick Museum is collecting nominations until Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET. For additional information and advisement, contact museum Executive Director Jane Przybysz: jprzybys@mailbox.sc.edu or 803.777.7251.
The South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards are presented at the South Carolina Arts Awards ceremony in the spring. Nine distinguished recipients were recognized in May 2021 for exceptional achievements in, support of, or advocacy for the arts at a professional produced virtual ceremony. Details about the 2022 South Carolina Arts Awards will be announced later.
Fundraising partnership features works by homeless photographers
‘Through Our Eyes Project’ comes to Columbia
Provided photo. Click to enlarge.
Hundreds of images taken by homeless photographers will soon be on display at Columbia’s Koger Center, the centerpiece of an exhibit designed to raise awareness and money for local organizations that serve them.
People experiencing homelessness often cite a feeling of being invisible. Founded in 2016 by Spartanburg pastor and avid photographer Jason Williamson, Through Our Eyes Project (TOEP) gives homeless people a voice by allowing them to document their everyday lives with disposable cameras. The photos are then curated into an exhibit that celebrates the photographers and provides a personal view of homelessness that few have ever seen.
TOEP has had successful runs in other South Carolina cities such as Boiling Springs, Greenville, and Spartanburg and extended to other states: Alaska, Massachusetts, and neighboring North Carolina.
Williamson reflected on previous experiences: “The things that are always surprising is the amount of joy that a lot of people have—whether it’s a pet they’ve adopted, a child, or a friend. There’s a lot of joy, and that’s the part of the project that really caught me off guard,” he said. “We like to say that the cameras are disposable, but the people are not.”
TOEP typically partners with host churches to connect with relevant nonprofits as recipients of funds raised from project sponsors, opening reception ticket sales, and the general public, who can vote for their favorite photos for $1 per vote. The top three photographers who receive the most votes will receive gifts with the money raised.
Provided photo. Click to enlarge.
The Columbia project debuts with a ticketed opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3.
“We’ve wanted to bring TOEP to Columbia for several years now,” said Allison Caldwell, local missions director at Shandon Baptist Church. “We’re proud to partner with Oliver Gospel, Toby’s Place, and Family Promise of the Midlands to highlight what they do for homeless men, women and children in our community, and how others can help.”
Opening reception tickets are available at Shandon.org for a donation of $25 or more. Held in the Koger Center’s upstairs gallery, the reception will include hors d’oeuvres, live music, partner booths, and a first glance at the images captured by more than 30 photographers. Space is limited and advance tickets are required to attend. After Nov. 3, the exhibit will be open for free public viewing weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 19.
For more information visit Shandon.org or contact Allison Caldwell, Shandon Local Missions Director (803.528.0740 or acaldwell@shandon.org).
Disclosure: SCAC Communications Director Jason Rapp, editor of The Hub, is an active member and current deacon of Shandon Baptist Church and volunteered on a steering group for this project. The SCAC is not a project funder. This story was a submitted news release.
South Arts opens applications for Emerging Leaders of Color
New cycle for development program
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 1, 2021
South Arts announced that applications are open for its Emerging Leaders of Color program.
They anticipate finding 18 cultural leader from across their nine-state region to form a cohort and participate in professional development and networking opportunities.
Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) is a free multi-day professional development program for early- to mid-career arts administrators of color. This partnership program between South Arts and our colleague Regional Arts Organization WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) provides tools, continued learning opportunities, and a growing professional network to administrators of color who seek to move into leadership positions in the arts and culture sector. This second Southern cohort will build on the success of South Arts’ first cohort and WESTAF’s ELC program which has been attracting, training, networking, and promoting a new generation of diverse arts leaders since 2010.
Here’s a quick video:
ELC promotes representative leadership and equity in the arts by:
- Building a cohort of cultural leaders of color in the southern United States who are committed to the advancement of the arts.
- Engaging diverse emerging leaders in coursework and activities designed to strengthen competencies and prepare participants for leadership positions in the field.
- Providing opportunities for promising arts professionals to establish networks that support their careers.
- Advocating for the cultural interests of the communities participants represent and serve.
- Deepening participants’ understanding of the arts in the United States and how public support sustains the vibrancy of the sector.
The second Southern cohort of this program will occur online in late January or early February 2022. At least one participant from each of South Arts’ nine-state region will be chosen to participate, with participation expenses paid. Selected participants will also be invited to join program alumni for continued leadership development.
The faculty has distinct SCAC connections: Joy Young (star of the video above) served at the agency several years until leaving in 2019, and Margie Johnson Reese was a one-time grant panelist who also consulted on the One Columbia cultural plan for Columbia. Basically, The Hub is telling you that selected participants are in impeccable hands.
New gallery coming to Fountain Inn
And it’s looking for exhibitors
Another day, another call for art. The megaphone has been busy!
The world-famous Hub Calls for Art Megaphone.
This one will be brief.
Joe Lowery reached out to The Hub to issue an invitation to #SCartists to exhibit in his new venture: The Back Door Gallery.
He’s looking for visual and craft artists working in 2D and 3D. The goal is to provide “an affordable venue for local artists and crafters to display and sell their creations.”
Spaces are available in three-month increments for $50/month. Here is the link to apply and learn more.
The Back Door Gallery is to open Nov. 15 at 107B South Main St. in Fountain Inn. Artists who have questions are able to reach Joe on 203.994.8446 or joe_lowery_98 (at) yahoo dot com.
Best of luck to Joe.
Five-year case study to seek improvements in rural arts ed
The Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project announced it will conduct an intensive five-year case study with the Allendale County School District to discover solutions in how to improve rural communities’ arts education offerings.
The Community Access to the Arts in Rural Education (CARE) Project, its study and resulting guidebook will be accomplished with a $2.58 million Assistance in Arts Education grant funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education. Set to begin in 2021, the CARE Project will include multiple strategic state and local partnerships with the goal to develop sustainable approaches that will continue beyond the 2026 grant completion date.
“Rural communities require a rural network of partnerships because of their lack of resources, and the CARE Project will align, strengthen and expand community partnerships among the Allendale schools with state and local partners,” ABC Project Director Kim Wilson said.
Initial commitments to the CARE Project were received from the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC), South Carolina Department of Education, Arts Access SC and South Carolina Educational Television. Additional state and national partners will develop based on the needs and areas of growth identified throughout the CARE Project.
Margaret Gilmore, superintendent of Allendale County School District, said her district is truly excited and grateful to have been awarded the arts grant for the amazing scholars of Allendale County School District. “This funding opportunity will certainly provide access to a sustainable arts-rich learning environment for the entire school community,” she said.
Arts advocates also are pleased with this opportunity.
“After many years of working in Allendale County, it’s clear that there are many people who love and care about their community and the next generation,” said Susan DuPlessis, SCAC director of community arts development. “We are excited about ways to engage the community as this study and new practices are developed.”
DuPlessis runs the SCAC’s “The Art of Community: Rural SC” initiative, which works in partnership with Allendale Rural Arts Team, which is led by Lottie Lewis. “There is momentum in Allendale for building community, addressing issues and identifying assets like never before,” she said. “This new emphasis on learning through the arts within the school system will have a reciprocal effect, I believe, on the whole community—and that’s exciting for young and old.”
In communities with high rates of poverty, access to the arts can be difficult, Wilson added. It takes money for art, music or dance lessons, and all too often, rural schools don’t prioritize arts education due to financial constraints. Access to the arts, however, has been found to influence student engagement and there is hope in South Carolina that the arts can be nurtured in every community.
The CARE Project’s goal is to create and share a resource guidebook based on Allendale’s experiences to empower other rural communities of persistent poverty to increase access to arts education for its students. “One of the most important outcomes will be to explore how to develop and maintain arts-rich learning environments as a pathway to equitable education,” Wilson said. “There is an urgent need to research and serve these communities, which have been continually absent from research and policy discussions, yet represent the most extreme gaps in equitable education,” she added.
To communicate the grant’s significance, Wilson noted that the Palmetto state has a higher percentage of schools in rural communities than the national average and 12 of the state’s 46 counties suffer from persistent poverty, meaning poverty rates have exceeded 20 percent of the population for more than 30 years.
The CARE Project will provide direct arts education programs and professional development for arts educators, teachers and principals in practices that support arts-rich learning. “An arts-rich learning environment includes a combination of direct arts instruction, arts integration with other non-arts curriculum and arts experiences provided by visiting artists or cultural and community organizations,” said Wilson.
The guidebook will contain instructional materials, arts-based lesson plans and other resources to engage stakeholder groups in other rural communities to replicate the promising aspects of the process developed during the CARE Project in Allendale.
Education Superintendent Molly Spearman said that, growing up and teaching in a rural community, she has seen firsthand the disparities that still exist in South Carolina.
“Students in rural schools deserve the same opportunities afforded to their peers in more affluent areas,” Spearman said. “I commend the Arts in Basic Curriculum Project for its pursuit and receipt of this funding that will help us establish innovative solutions for bringing access to arts-based education to all students in South Carolina. I look forward to seeing this work in Allendale and learning how we may replicate their successes across our state.”
Grant-writing training opportunity in November
Attend in person or virtually for $455
Central Midlands Council of Governments and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Columbia, Nov. 8-9, 2021.
Attend this class and you’ll learn how to find the funding sources and write winning grant proposals. Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as healthcare organizations, nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend. More information including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials, and online registration is available here.
Tuition is $455 and includes everything: two days of terrific instruction, workbook, and access to our Alumni Forum that’s packed full of tools, helpful discussions and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Groups of 5 or more receive a $50 discount per person. Discounts for Grant Writing USA alumni and nonprofits are also available; please call for details.
Payment is not required at the time of registration. Checks, credit cards, and purchase orders are welcome. Government agencies have 30 days after the training to pay.
All health and safety guidelines will be followed. Class enrollment is limited to ensure proper distancing, and online classes are also available. Please visit our complete calendar of events here.
Contact:
Tammy Pitts, Grant Writing USA
- 888.435.7281
- tammyp@grantwritingusa.com
Major art call: 2022 North Charleston Arts Fest
Artists in all disciplines sought to perform or present
APPLICATION DEADLINE: by Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 12 a.m.
The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is seeking artists in music, theatre, dance, visual art, media art, and literature to participate in the 2022 North Charleston Arts Fest to be held May 4-8 at various venues throughout North Charleston.
Regional and local artists and community organizations are welcome to submit an application to perform on stage or present their talents through programs such as
- exhibitions,
- lectures,
- demonstrations,
- workshops,
- and more.
The application can be accessed at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. Agents submitting applications on behalf of two or more acts should contact the Cultural Arts Department at 843.740.5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org for special application instructions. There is NO fee to apply. Applications will be accepted through the online submission platform until midnight on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Artists in need of assistance with any part of the application process may contact the Cultural Arts Department to schedule a one-on-one meeting, which can be conducted over the phone, virtually, or in person. The Arts Fest review panel will select applicants from all art disciplines to create a mix of free and ticketed events that will work well in the available venues and are geared to meet the interests of a cross-section of ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Proposals for new concepts or programs are encouraged.
The North Charleston Arts Fest is an annual five-day celebration of the arts, offering an array of events and activities such as concerts, theatre presentations, exhibitions and installations, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, and more, throughout the City of North Charleston. The festival was cancelled in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was successfully presented as the 38th annual event in 2021. Many of the event adjustments made with patron health and safety in mind in 2021 will carry over to the 2022 North Charleston Arts Fest, including smaller event capacities, a focus on outdoor venues, and virtual options.
For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest and other participation opportunities visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com or contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843.740.5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org.
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