The grants are part of the $2.3 million distributed throughout the state to support artists, nonprofit arts organizations and arts initiatives in schools.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we remain focused on ensuring all South Carolinians access to the arts, regardless of their location or circumstances,” said S.C. Arts Commission Executive Director Suzette Surkamer. “Dedicated arts organizations, schools and individuals that share that vision help us make arts opportunities available to their communities-directly benefiting both the citizens and the local economy.”
The Opera House Foundation was the recipient of two Arts Commission grants, together totaling about $30,000. Its largest grant, in the amount of $25,402, is earmarked for operating support.
Deborah Smith, Opera House director, said that this is the third time the organization has received this particular grant. The grant provides that the Opera House will receive the $25,000 once a year for three years.
“It is a major gift from them, and it shows the confidence they have in the Opera House to sustain itself,” Smith said, calling the grant a “godsend.” “General operating funds are the most difficult for any arts organization to raise. The Arts Commission recognizes this and allows us to use this in any way we need. We are incredibly grateful that it is not specifically assigned to a project. It's very rare to get just general operating grants.”
Another $5,000 grant is designated for cultural tourism. This type of grant supports projects and partnerships that increase arts-based tourism in South Carolina.
“When they instituted the grant, they said the Opera House was an example of what they were trying to help,” Smith said.
This year, the Opera House will focus its grant funds and its efforts in the area of Augusta, Ga. Smith said the money will mainly fund advertising efforts to pull tourism from that area to Newberry.
The School District of Newberry County was the recipient of nearly $18,000 in grants for arts in education. These grants are awarded specifically to cultivate arts education programs to enhance student learning in schools and districts throughout the state.
Both Boundary Street Elementary and Newberry High School will benefit from a portion of the district's total.
At BSES, a $7,034 grant will go mainly to pay for the school's artist-in-residencies. Belinda Pruett, music specialist, said the money will help pay for the school's dance artist, Steven Ferguson, for theater artist Ellen Hunt, for creative writer Sue Summer and for a muralist to work with the students on a hallway mural. Pruett said some of the money may also go for short-term artist-in-residencies and art supplies.
“It really enables our kids to have so many more experiences and avenues outside of what we are certified to do,” she explained.
NHS will also make use of its $750 grant for an artist-in-residency. Art teacher Lee Ann Cole said she's not sure yet who will be working with the students, but she considers the school fortunate to be able to bring in experts from the Arts Commission. Last year, students worked with artist Bob Doster to sculpt a permanent bulldog piece, now displayed in front of the school.
“We're very fortunate,” Cole said. “What we're trying to do with these grants is we're trying to make art permanent on our campus that the students can enjoy and the community can also enjoy.”
For a complete list of Arts Commission grant awards, visit www.southcraolinaarts.com/awards.
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