Arts Directory

About

ECM, a nonprofit based in Charleston, South Carolina, works with school districts, principals, teachers, and the local workforce to identify specific knowledge and skillsets all students should master before graduating high school. The mission of Engaging Creative Minds is to spark creativity and curiosity in all learners through innovative and experiential learning. Our ECM Instructors are local artists, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals, and cultural organizations who we train to work with K-12 teachers. Our instructors help teachers to enhance student learning via arts integrating learning using innovation, design, and creativity. Our goal is for every student to achieve academically, stay engaged in school, and succeed in life; while their teachers develop engaging teaching strategies in arts integration and entrepreneurship that foster communication, critical thinking, self-awareness, and future planning. ECM Coaches work with ECM Instructors and teachers to bring Engaged Learning Experiences (ELEs) into K-8th grade classrooms. ECM is thrilled to be working with schools around the state of South Carolina in the afterschool space! We run a variety of programs for K-12 on topics including arts integration, STEAM, and entrepreneurship. ECM’s Summer STEAM Institute (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is a 6-week camp for rising K-8th graders designed to prevent summer learning loss. In the fall of 2021, ECM merged with YEScarolina, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of students in grades 9-12 from communities statewide build business skills and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. This merger gives ECM the opportunity to provide a robust K-12 educational pipeline.