South Carolina Arts Awareness License Plate

Show the world that you're "Driven by the Arts" for arts education. Purchase your arts license plate today!

Proceeds from license plate sales benefit in-school artist residencies and other arts education programs in schools and communities across South Carolina. License plate sales also benefit the Arts in Basic Curriculum Project, which provides leadership to achieve quality, comprehensive arts education in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and creative writing.

Plate numbers lower than 200 are available from the South Carolina Arts Commission. Plate numbers over 200 are available from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

How to order

Plate numbers lower than 200

• License plate numbers lower than 200 are available for a one-time donation of $100, plus a $70 specialty license plate fee, which is renewed every two years.
• To purchase a plate number lower than 200, follow the instructions on this form (How To Use PDFs) and return the form to the S.C. Arts Commission. Plate numbers are assigned in the order received.

Plate numbers higher than 200

• License plate numbers higher than 200 are available from the S. C. Dept. of Motor Vehicles for a $70 specialty license plate fee, which is renewed every two years.
• To purchase a plate number higher than 200, visit your local S.C. DMV office, or visit the SCDMV web site and click "Forms and Manuals."
• Scroll down to "Vehicle License Plate Forms" and select "MV-95 Application for Special License Plates."
• In the section "Type of Special Plate Requested" write "Driven by the Arts." Complete and mail the form along with the $70 fee to the SCDMV.

   

Please e-mail Milly Hough or call (803) 734-8696 if you have any questions.

Project

The new license plate was revealed Feb. 6, 2007, at the Columbia Museum of Art during a sale and ceremony presented by the South Carolina Arts Foundation.

The SC Arts Commission invited interested artists and designers to submit a design proposal for a new Arts Awareness license plate for South Carolina. A committee representing arts organizations and state agencies chose Manning artist Ned Chilton's design from nearly 40 entries.  The slogan, “Driven by the Arts,” was chosen from more than 200 entries and submitted by Eric Holowacz, currently residing in New Zealand, and Columbia resident Leigh Newman.  All three individuals were recognized during the unveiling.

The design will become the official state Arts Awareness license plate. The design may be reproduced in official print and electronic pieces and may be used on specialty items such as t-shirts, posters, etc. The SC Arts Commission expects to obtain reproduction rights to the winning design.

Background

The South Carolina General Assembly signed a bill on April 27, 2005 to allow the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles to issue an Arts Awareness Special License Plate. Proceeds from the sale of the specialty plates will help bring arts programs and education to communities across the state by supporting the continued development of South Carolina's culturally diverse arts resources and organizations.