South Carolina Arts Commission

08/28/2026

Have you explored the Congaree Vista Cultural District in Columbia?! 🖼️

FYI: Cultural districts are geographic areas of S.C. cities or towns that have a concentration of artistic assets, cultural facilities, creative businesses, and placemaking activities.

Learn more | 🔗 bit.ly/SCCulturalDistricts

(Not every business/attraction is tagged or featured in the reel, there’s more to explore!)

[Video description: clips of representatives from the Congaree Vista Cultural District speaking in front of the camera as well as clips of art, businesses, and attractions within the district.]

08/27/2026

Are you preparing to apply for an upcoming deadline? The SCAC Grants Team and program directors will host informational sessions via Zoom!

The sessions are free, but you must register in advance.

Register today | 🔗 bit.ly/GrantsCoaching

[Image descrption: Cream background with popart texture and an image of a pink rotary phone. The text says, "Coaching calls! School Arts Support Grants. September 10 | 2-3:30 p.m. Arts Project Support Grants. Artists. September 4 | 2-3:30 p.m. Organizations. September 2 | 2-3:30 p.m. Emerging Artist Grants September 4 | 10:30-11:45 a.m."]

08/26/2026

“Big Percy,” a sweetgrass basket made by renowned Gullah Geechee artist Corey Alston from Mount Pleasant, broke the Guinness World Record!

This piece is currently on display at the South Carolina State Museum. This extraordinary piece not only enhances the museum’s folk and traditional art collection but also marks a significant step in preserving and showcasing the ongoing legacy of Gullah craftsmanship in the 21st century.

Corey received a project support grant from SCAC in 2021, which was used to build a storage shed for his sweetgrass.

[Video description: Video clips and still photos from the world record award ceremony at the state museum. Corey on stage, Corey posing with others, and clips of the basket. There are also clips of Corey talking directly to the camera.]

08/25/2026

Five grant categories are NOW OPEN and accepting applications!

Learn more and start your application today: 🔗 bit.ly/ALL-Grants

Open Now:
Art Project Support
Art of Community: Rural SC
Accessibility
Emerging Artist
School Arts Support

--

Image Description : FY26 Festivals Project | Oconee County Parks & Rec, Día De Los Mu***os | Axolotl | Artist Laura Lesllo

--

[Image Description: Image of giant puppet performers at an outdoor festival. The text lists the open grants as stated in the caption above.]

08/24/2026

It's time for the first FREE Creative Conversations lunch-and-learn of the 2026-2027 season! 😄

Leaders from Together SC, the state’s nonprofit association, discuss the resources, networks, and professional development opportunities available to South Carolina’s nonprofit organizations through their organization.

Register Today | 🔗 bit.ly/4xe0cz7

[Image description: Cream background with blue and black text and accents. The text says, “Creative Conversations. Lunch-and-learn sessions for S.C. arts leaders. Nonprofit connections with TogetherSC with Karen Riordan, President & CEO, and GP McLeer, Director of Public Policy & Community Engagement. September 15, Noon – 1 P.M. South Carolina Arts Commission. Arts Industry."]

08/23/2026

🥁

08/23/2026

🎮

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Video Games in Concert at the Koger Center for the Arts!

The evening was leveled up thanks to our special guest, game designer and creative director Christopher Barrett, as well as our program partners Columbia Choral Society and Midlands Gaming Coalition.

A special thank you goes out to our Grand Notes for Notes sponsors, Dr. and Mrs. Helmut and Gillian Albrecht, for supporting music purchases for this evening’s concert, along with Bob Evans for his support of Final Fantasy 7 and Mass Effect.

This performance was made possible thanks to the generosity of our grantors Richland County, City of Columbia Government, The Nord Family Foundation, and South Carolina Arts Commission!

08/20/2026

Last week, Amanda Noyes, SCAC’s Arts Learning and Accessibility Director, attended the national LEAD (Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability) conference, where she had the opportunity to present a session in collaboration with other state art agency accessibility coordinators (from MA, ND, NC, WA, and OH). 😁

One night featured an SC meetup, with many of our BFASC (Barrier-Free Arts SC) grantees in attendance! The activity was to make accessibility trading cards, one to take home and one to trade with someone else.

Networking with and learning from peers in the industry is an invaluable experience and something we look forward to each year. Please enjoy this photo recap of Amanda’s time at the conference.

Learn more about BFASC | bit.ly/BarrierFreeSC

[Image descriptions: Group photos of the presenters in front of the stage. Group photos from the SC meetup. Photos of everyone sitting at tables and working on their trading cards. Photos of the trading cards they created.]

08/18/2026

👇👇👇

We're excited to announce another opportunity for arts organizations to learn and grow together!

Join the South Carolina Arts Alliance and Solutions by Shawn Edwards for a FREE series of trainings to help South Carolina arts organizations improve the management, governance, and engagement of boards of directors.

✅ In this session, participants will explore the “who” and the “what” of nonprofit board leadership

✅ Participants will also explore research supported recruitment methods to cultivate the board members they desire, with an emphasis on board culture and retention.

Learn more and register >> https://scartsalliance.com/board-management-training/

Thank you to the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Ga***rd & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation for their support of this event!

08/18/2026

Young creative looking for advice? Esthetician Desiree Williams has some tips for you!

Visit our website @ CreativeCareers.Art to take advantage of the resources that we've curated for the students in your life.

🔗 bit.ly/CCSArt

Video credit: Student at The Athenaeum Press

[Video description: white background with colorful shapes and a headshot of the artist. The text reads, “Creative Careers Studio. Ask a creative! Advice for young creatives? Desiree Williams. Esthetician.”]