SC Arts Advocacy Day

 

It's that time of year again folks - the time of year where I'll be posting a lot about government support of the arts, arts-related legislation, arts education and other arts policy-related topics.  And if you've read my blog over the past year or so, you know that I am a big advocate for the arts. Aside from the arts being my full-time job, I have a firm belief that the arts play a crucial role in the development of our communities, states and country - and should be treated as such and supported as such by local, state and federal governments. 

So I can get a little passionate. Thank goodness for blogs.

Tuesday, February 5 is South Carolina Arts Advocacy Day.  This annual event, presented by the South Carolina Arts Alliance [SCAA] brings together hundreds of arts advocates from across the state to Columbia for a rally in the Statehouse lobby before the day's legislative session begins. We welcome the Legislators as they make their way from their parking lot to their respective chambers and encourage them to support the arts during this legislative year.  Afterwards, there is a big luncheon where Legislators and advocates get to sit down, based on their districts, and share in a meal and discussions about how the arts are a big component of not only their personal lives as citizens, but to their community also.  It's a busy day filled with lots of handshakes, pictures, networking, lively discussions and, of course, art.  It's always great to see how many legislators come to our luncheon and express their support for the arts. As they are introduced and each give a quick statement of support, it is clear that the arts are strong all over South Carolina and that our law makers see the positive impact that their investment makes to the entire state. [disclosure: I am on the Board of the SC Arts Alliance]

The way that our state legislature directly supports in the arts in SC is through the SC Arts Commission [SCAC].  The SCAC was created in 1967 by the Legislature and is the only state agency whose purpose is to support the arts and culture in our state. So for Arts Advocacy Day, myself and other arts leaders, artists and students show up in Columbia to demonstrate our support for the SCAC and to urge our Legislators to continue their support the SCAC.

While the Governor has proposed a change to the structure of the SCAC that would essentially derail its mission and leave many organizations in the dust - I want to focus today on some of the SCAC's biggest accomplishments of 2012 to demonstrate to you exactly what type of impact the SCAC has on our State:

 

• The Arts Commission served 100 percent of S.C. counties through consulting, training, facilitation, grants and resource services for artists, schools, citizens, businesses, governments and other community organizations

• $1.5 million in grants was awarded in 40 S.C. counties (FY2012)  

• The Arts Commission's nationally recognized Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project served 99 schools across the state.

• 275 educators representing 43 of 86 school districts participated in the ABC Project's summer institutes to explore using the arts to improve education
• The Artist Ventures Initiative moved into a third round of grants and training for artists to help support arts-based entrepreneurial projects  

• The Arts Commission partnered with the S.C. Department of Agriculture to create the Certified SC Arts and Culture program 
• The agency kicked off a new series of "capacity-building" workshops for arts organizations

• The Hub was launched, providing a new online tool to promote the arts. 
• Staff moved to a smaller office space, realizing significant, long-term savings in rent and energy costs. 

(from SCAC Newsletter)

As you can see, the SCAC is more than just a granting agency.  Its focus is on creating a healthy arts community in the state - for the economic and livability benefit of its citizens.  Helping artists create a sound business model to distribute their artwork (and make a living); helping organizations with board training, stragegic planning and more; making our state nationally recognized for arts education programs; and creating new programs that not only strenghten the arts, but instill pride in our state and its artists.

Be on the lookout as the year progresses for more updates from me on the state of the arts in South Carolina.