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          May 2009
In This Issue
This month's license plate photo
American Masterpieces grants
Cultural Tourism grants
LINC retreat
Emergency Preparedness
Literary Arts Partnership position
Statewide Arts Conference
Performing Arts Exchange subsidies
National Arts Strategies tuition
Booking Conference
Farewell to the chief
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Picture your plate here!
Driven by the Arts plate # 1 
   The number one arts fan! Who drives around with this plate? Read the related article for the answer!
 
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South Carolina Arts Commission News
Hello everyone,

The S.C. Arts Commission is offering American Masterpieces dance grants and Cultural Tourism Initiative grants. Plans are underway for two September events -- the Statewide Arts Conference and the Arts in Education Booking Conference. Other organizations are offering discounts for nonprofits to attend showcases and conferences. Read about these and other opportunities in this issue of the e-newsletter.
American Masterpieces grants American Masterpieces 
 
The S.C. Arts Commission is offering American Masterpieces grants of up to $7,500 to restage artistically and historically significant American dance works. Grants are open to dance companies, college and university dance ensembles or presenters in partnership with a dance company. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts. Application deadline is June 15. Read the guidelines for details.
Cultural Tourism Initiative grants
 
The S. C. Arts Commission is offering Cultural Tourism Initiative grants of up to $2,500 to arts organizations. Grants support research that helps improve the long-term sustainability of a cultural tourism project and/or marketing that uses media and technology to reach tourists. Grant application deadline is July 1. Read the guidelines for details.

Organizations interested in applying for the grant are encouraged to participate in a webinar on June 4 from 1-3 p.m.  The webinar is free, but registration is required.
LINC Statewide Artist Retreat

S.C. artists still have time to register for the LINC statewide artist retreat scheduled for May 30 and 31 in Greenville. The special hotel rate at the Hilton has been extended to May 22, so register and reserve your room today! Registration is $40. Details and online registration are available on the LINC Web page.

Are you prepared for a disaster?

June 1 marks the start of hurricane season. A new flu strain is making the rounds. Are S.C. artists and arts organizations prepared for these and other potential disasters? Now is an ideal time to review plans for continuing business in the event of an emergency. The S.C. Arts Commission has made it easy to get started with a list of resources, including a ready-to-use Business Emergency Plan.  Don't wait--create a disaster plan BEFORE a disaster strikes!
Literary Arts Partnership position
 
The Literary Arts Partnership is seeking a full-time coordinator to develop, promote and manage literary programs. The partnership is a cooperative effort funded by the S.C. Arts Commission, the S.C. State Library and Humanities Council S.C. Application review begins June 1. Read the job description for more information.
Statewide Arts Conference set
for Sept. 15 in Columbia
 
Make plans to join your colleagues on Sept. 15 in Columbia for the 2009 Statewide Arts Conference, "Arts Be Nimble: Navigating Tough Terrain." This one-day event will focus on the skills necessary to survive and thrive in today's economic reality. Connect with new collaborators and learn how others are navigating a shifting landscape while focusing on future horizons. Check out the workshop schedule and stay tuned for additional details. Registration opens June 8.

Statewide Arts Conference
Funds available for Performing Arts Exchange registration and travel
 
Southern Arts Federation is offering a limited number of registration and travel subsidies for nonprofit presenting organizations to attend the Performing Arts Exchange Sept. 23-26 in Norfolk, VA. Funds are restricted to organizations that have not attended PAE since 2004. Applicants may request up to $450 for registration and up to $500 for travel. Applications must be received by June 1. Visit SAF's Web site for details or contact Nikki Estes, (404) 874-7224, ext. 16.
National Arts Strategies offers tuition

National Arts Strategies is offering fellowships for the Business of Arts and Culture seminars.  Fellowship covers full tuition of $1,250 for teams of up to five people. Travel support is also included. Upcoming seminars include Building Capacity, Managing People and Finance. Visit the NAS Web site for details.
2009 Booking Conference change

The S.C. Arts Commission's 2009 Arts in Education Booking Conference will be held Sept. 24 in Greenville in conjunction with the S.C. Alliance for Arts Education's fall conference. With school districts projecting travel cutbacks, a combined format allows teachers to attend one event, and teaching artists can take advantage of professional development offered at the SCAAE conference. Registration will open by July 1. For more information, contact Eleanor Stein, (803) 734-8630.
SusieFarewell to Susie

S.C. Arts Commission Executive Director Susie Surkamer retired May 2 after 35 years with the agency. Surkamer began her career with SCAC in 1974 as a dancer-in-residence and worked in program development and administration before being named executive director in 1994.

Staff members gathered for a fond farewell to Susie and her number 1 "Driven by the Arts" license plate.

Susie Surkamer and staff
Quote this

"I believe that if it were left to artists to choose their own labels, most would choose none."  

-- Ben Shahn (1898-1969)

Milly Hough
Communications Director
S.C. Arts Commission
803.734.8698

The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S. C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina and by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit South Carolina Arts or call 803.734.8696.