Helping arts organizations and other arts providers have the necessary resources to deliver diverse arts experiences throughout South Carolina

The SCAC’s arts industry program helps accomplish that outcome of the strategic plan in a variety of ways:

  • Provide a robust grant portfolio for arts organizations and providers
  • Support collaborations between arts providers and local, statewide, and national funders to maximize impact of public funds
  • Develop diverse cross-sector relationships that engage arts and culture providers to address local issues in matters that may include economic, community or workforce development, healthcare, education, public safety, housing or capital

Meet the program director

Headshot of La Ruchala MurphyLa Ruchala Murphy

South Carolina arts (and arts-providing) organizations are well served by La Ruchala, because she has been in their shoes.

Murphy left the SCAC grants office to become executive director of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville, Georgia. She then came back across the border to work as director of leadership and capacity for the United Way of the Midlands in Columbia before returning to the SCAC to be its inaugural arts industry director. Murphy received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s in arts administration from Winthrop University. She also earned a master’s in nonprofit administration from Louisiana State University.

Murphy is a certified nonprofit professional with the National Association of Nonprofit Organization & Executives (NANOE) and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA).

Contact La Ruchala

Programs

These are direct programs of the SCAC or partnerships.