We've got BIG News.

We're kicking off the new year with a bang as we unveil some thrilling updates that promise to shape the course of our journey together in advancing arts in South Carolina education.

Drumroll, please! We have been hard at work behind the scenes, crafting innovative plans, and forging exciting partnerships that have set the stage for an exhilarating year of growth and art-filled transformation. Stay tuned as we embark on this thrilling adventure together and embracing every opportunity that comes our way. Here's to a year filled with excitement, progress, and boundless possibilities!

Save the Date for PSAE's Annual Arts Integration Conference!

Mark your calendars now!! We are so very happy to announce that the 2024 Arts Integration Conference will be October 21 and 22 in beautiful Summerville, SC!!

Stay tuned for a call for proposals for general sessions and information on registration!

Announcing the 2024 Joint Arts Administrators Institute!

This year, we are pleased to announce a series of four events on the theme of "Elevating Best Practices of Arts Education for Arts Administrators and Principals of Arts-Focused Schools." Geared towards district arts coordinators and principals of arts-focused schools and in partnership with the SC Department of Education, JAAI is professional development for arts leaders in schools and districts.

Do you know a Rising Star?!

For more than 15 years, RISING STARS has been recognized and embraced in South Carolina for highlighting Artistically Gifted and Talented students across the state. Originally created by arts educator and administrator Larry Barnfield, RISING STARS assembles a cast of students from a variety of classical arts disciplines for a showcase of talent. Students not only have an opportunity to share their artistic talents with a real audience, but are also invited to chat with the host to share their thoughts in creating the art they just shared on stage. Applications are due March 15!!

South Carolina Arts Alliance

Greetings from the South Carolina Arts Alliance!

Thank you to everyone that joined us for Arts Advocacy Week 2024, whether virtually or in

person at the State House, where over 100 advocates gathered for our annual SC Arts Day,

and nearly 200 students from 5 schools performed on the State House steps. It was a refreshing

and empowering week for the arts, and your advocacy efforts are greatly appreciated!

If you missed our Facebook Live Discussion Series, I encourage you to check them out on our

Youtube channel – particularly the discussions that involved arts education.

Legislative Update

The legislative session is in full swing at the State House, and the state budget is making its way through respective committees in each Chamber. This year, the South Carolina Arts Commission is asking for $3 million in recurring funds to establish and staff six arts hub regions in key areas of the State. These hubs would provide access and support in the areas that need it most and create sustainability for programs that support arts education, artists, and arts organizations throughout South Carolina.

Learn more about the budget request here.

If your legislator is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee, you can support these efforts by contacting them and asking them to fund this request.

Congress passed another continuing resolution in mid-January, and if they cannot come to an agreement by new deadlines in early March, federal agencies - including the National Endowment for the Arts - may undergo mandatory cuts across the board. Keep in mind that this is FY24 funding (originally supposed to be passed by October 1, 2023) so when the budget is finally resolved Congress will need to immediately pick up deliberations on the FY25 budget.

You can contact your members of Congress and encourage them to support the NEA here.

I encourage you to become a FREE member of the SCAA alerted as both budgets progress, and check out all of the free advocacy resources on our new website, scartsalliance.com.

*Introducing*

Jeff Robinson

Executive Director

SC Arts Alliance

Email Jeff

AASC WINTER ARTISTS TRAINING DAY

Saturday February 24, 2024

10:00-12:00pm on ZOOM

We are the special education ARTS residency experts! Proudly Serving 38 Years.

Want to learn from the BEST?

Sign-Up for ARTS ACCESS South Carolina Artists Training Days (May Date: TBA)

IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access) Residencies January*February*March 2024

ARTS ACCESS South Carolina (AASC) delivers arts experiences and arts educational services to students and adult persons with disabilities throughout South Carolina.

Check out Arts Access South Carolina's website for more information!

The arts education services include partnerships with schools and community organizations for the following: one day-artists visits, multiple week-long residencies, workshops, afterschool programs, evening classes, zoom classes and festivals!

Programs are offered in the following formats: hybrid, virtual, and/or face to face. 

AASC priority is to continue to practice Covid safety protocol in face-face formats. Programs are supported in part from the SC Arts Commission which is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Activities can be inclusive or self-contained. Interested schools/educators/ and community service organizations must contact

Executive Director, Julia M Brown-DuBose.

ArtsNOW

There are two more opportunities to join us for demonstration of learning days at two of our ArtsNOW Leadership Schools. Please check out this link for more information and to register.

Pam Walker

President & CEO

ArtsNOW

678-654-0677

Email Pam