Serving to connect artists, organizations, arts therapists, schools, and communities, the S.C. Arts Directory allows users to find who they are looking for in multiple ways: by search, artistic discipline, or geographic availability.
Artists may apply for one arts discipline per application. Applications are reviewed by external panelists who are experts in the artist’s selected discipline. If an artist is skilled in more than one discipline they may submit multiple applications with work samples that show their proficiency for each discipline. This restriction allows SCAC to assign appropriate panelists who are competent in the selected discipline and are able to provide relevant and accurate feedback to the applicant.
An applicant will need the following materials in order to submit their SCAD application:
If an artist’s application is accepted they will be required to successfully complete a State Law Enforcement Division (aka “SLED”) background check, provided by SCAC, prior to being added to the directory.
Applicants should utilize the following evaluation rubric as a guide when writing their applications, panelists will score responses based on criteria within the rubric:
Members of the SCAD are required to renew their membership every three years through an online application process. All members of the arts directory are also required to successfully complete a SLED background check every year in July.
Organizations may apply for one (1) arts discipline per application. Applications are reviewed by external panelists who are experts in the selected discipline. If an organization would like more than one discipline represented on their SCAD listing then they may submit multiple applications to speak to their commitment to artistic quality for each discipline selected. This restriction allows SCAC to assign appropriate panelists who are competent in the selected discipline and are able to provide relevant and accurate feedback to the applicant.
An organization will need the following materials in order to submit their SCAD application:
All organizations listed on the directory are required to submit evidence to SCAC that each of their employees has successfully completed a State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) background check annually.
Organizations should utilize the following evaluation rubric as a guide when writing their applications, panelists will score responses based on criteria within the rubric:
Creative arts therapists are human service professionals who use distinct arts-based methods and creative processes for the purpose of ameliorating disability and illness and optimizing health and wellness.
Treatment outcomes include, for example, improving communication and expression, and increasing physical, emotional, cognitive and/or social functioning. Creative arts therapists are trained and credentialed according to their distinct profession and each creative arts therapy field is governed by a separate professional association with a unique scope of practice. (National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations, Inc.)
SCAC welcomes creative arts therapists across disciplines to apply to join the directory:
An applicant will need the following materials in order to submit their SCAD application:
If a creative arts therapist’s application is accepted they will be required to successfully complete a State Law Enforcement Division (aka “SLED”) background check, provided by SCAC, prior to being added to the directory.
Applicants should utilize the following evaluation rubric as a guide when writing their applications, panelists will score responses based on criteria within the rubric:
After a three-year membership term, every member of the directory, excluding organizations, must renew their membership to stay on the directory. If a member does not renew, they will be removed from the SCAD. The renewal process involves submitting an Arts Directory Renewal application. Right now, we only have a renewal application open for current artists on the directory.
An applicant will need the following materials in order to submit their SCAD application:
Applicants should utilize the following evaluation rubric as a guide when writing their applications, panelists will score responses based on criteria within the rubric: Arts Directory Renewal Rubric
SCAC Verified Teaching Artists are members of the Arts Directory who have been additionally juried and verified by a panel of experts to work in K-12 classrooms. To become an SCAC Verified Teaching Artist, a current member of the arts directory must complete an additional application. The application is reviewed by a panel of teaching artists who are experts in the field to evaluate the content against a set rubric (see below).
An applicant will need the following materials in order to submit their SCAC Teaching Artist Verification application:
If accepted as an SCAC Verified Teaching Artist, members are identified with a black ribbon by their headshot and can be searched for by selecting the “SCAC Verified Teaching Artist ” button on the search page.
SCAC Verified Teaching Artists have the option to enhance their SCAD listing to include the following information:
We strongly encourage SCAC grant-funded teaching artist residencies to employ SCAC Verified Teaching Artists.
Applicants who are interested in becoming an SCAC Verified Teaching Artist should reference the following evaluation rubric when writing their applications as panelists will utilize the indicated criteria when scoring applications. SCAC Verified Teaching Artist Evaluation Rubric
All members of the Arts Directory have a unique page with contact information, a photo and a biography. This page serves as a marketing tool to connect with schools and communities.
Artists on the directory also benefit from:
Benefits of being an SCAC Verified Teaching Artist include:
How often does a member of the Arts Directory have to reapply?
Arts Directory renewal and teaching artist reverification takes place every three (3) years, on a quarterly basis. Members who have not completed the renewal/recertification process by the end of their designated quarter will be removed from the Directory.
Are all SCAC Verified Teaching Artists also members of the Arts Directory?
Yes. Before receiving the application for the Teaching Artist Verification, one must be approved as a member of the Arts Directory.
Do I have to use a member of the Arts Directory for my S.C. Arts Commission funded project?
SCAC Arts in Education grant recipients must use SCAD members for grant-funded group lectures, demonstrations, performances, classroom residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences. Artists labeled as SCAC Verified Teaching Artist s on the Directory have been additionally vetted by the SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation; we encourage but do not require grant-funded teaching artist residencies to employ SCAC Verified Teaching Artists.
Do I have to use a member of the Arts Directory for my project that is not funded by the S.C. Arts Commission?
Many school districts require that Arts Directory members are used for group lectures, demonstrations, and performances and SCAC Verified Teaching Artists are used for classroom residencies. Check with your district office about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.
How are applicants juried for the Arts Directory and Teaching Artist Certification?
The initial staff review of applications focuses on eligibility, accuracy, completeness of submission, and confirmation of required support materials. Individual panelists (discipline specific experts in their field) review applications and determine membership/verification status using a specialized rubric. Final approval for the Arts Directory membership and Teaching Artist Verification is granted by the executive director or their designee.
Do S.C. Department of Education grants require the use of Arts Directory members?
It is not required, but you are strongly encouraged to use members of the Arts Directory or SCAC Verified Teaching Artists for S.C. Dept. of Education Arts Curricular Innovation grants, which include the Equitable Arts Advancement Program (EAAP) grant and the Distinguished Arts Programs (DAP) grant. Many school districts require that Arts Directory members are used for group lectures, demonstrations, and performances and SCAC Verified Teaching Artists are used for classroom residencies. Check with your district office about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.
Are Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) sites required to use the Arts Directory?
SCAC Arts in Education grant recipients must use members of the S.C. Arts Directory for grant-funded group lectures, demonstrations, performances, classroom residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences. To learn more about the ABC Institute, visit their website.
Do I have to be a S.C. resident to be a member of the Arts Directory or a SCAC Verified Teaching Artist?
No. Artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists outside of South Carolina may apply for both the Arts Directory and to become a Verified Teaching Artist.
Does SCAC place SCAC Verified Teaching Artists in S.C. schools for residencies?
No. SCAC does not place teaching artists in schools, however being listed on the SCAD as well as having the Teaching Artist Verification can serve as a marketing tool and will help schools find you when searching for an artist in residence.
Does the SCAC Teaching Artist Verification qualify me as a certified classroom teacher?
No. Teacher certification is granted through the S.C. Department of Education, please view the SCDE website to see the pathways towards certification. The Teaching Artist Verification does not replace the S.C. Department of Education’s Program for Alternative Certification (PACE) for full-time arts classroom teachers.
Do I have to agree to a State Law Division Enforcement (aka “SLED”) background check to join the arts directory?
Yes. Every member of the arts directory must successfully complete a SLED background check if their application is accepted. Additionally, annually all members of the arts directory will be required to complete an updated SLED check. The reports will be paid for by SCAC. If a member refuses to provide their information so that a SLED check can be completed by the set deadline, their SCAD listing will be temporarily removed until the SLED check is complete.
For questions about the Arts Directory, and/or if you are a Directory artist needing to update your listing, please contact Arts Learning Coordinator Mikayla Moore (803.734.8495 | mdmoore@arts.sc.gov).