AEI participants in 2024/2025 will receive step-by-step coaching on:
The sessions take place via Zoom throughout the fall and winter. Participants are required to attend each of the scheduled sessions for which they’re registered. By the end, each participant will have tools for a business-savvy skillset.
The ideal candidate is a mid-career artist with an independent body of work. They have received recognition through publication or public presentation of their work and are prepared to present their work to a broader audience.
All accepted AEI participants will be required to complete a viewing of the one-hour course which is available as a recording. (Access will be provided to all accepted applicants who did not participate in the initial, 2021/2022 AEI 101 workshop, Better Business for Creatives.) This pre-requisite will allow for a good foundation prior to the start of this year’s session.
Additionally, the facilitators will provide a brief pre-assessment which is required for all accepted participants to complete before the start of the session.
Uvette Pope-Rogers, CPA, CGMA, owner & principal of UR Consulting Services, will welcome artists for two-day sessions on relevant financial management topics.
Classes held virtually (Zoom) on the following dates from 6-7:30 p.m.
Classes held virtually (Zoom) on the following dates from 6-7:30 p.m.
Monifa Lemons Jackson will lead a comprehensive, two-day workshop to empower artists who are either new to grant applications or have previously applied without success. This initiative will provide them with the essential tools and insights needed to craft compelling grant proposals. The sessions will conclude with interactive Grant Q&A sessions where participants can ask questions and clarify critical aspects of the grant application process.
Classes held virtually (Zoom) on the following dates from 6-8 p.m.
The workshops will cover a range of topics, including understanding the nuances of grant money, reimbursements, and the ethical use of funds. Participants will learn the importance of building connections, avoiding desperation-driven applications, and thoroughly understanding the submittal process, including reading rubrics and answering the specific questions grants ask. Additionally, the workshop will delve into long-term career building and sustainability, helping artists prepare to apply for grants today and in the future.
Monifa Lemons is an accomplished art therapist with seven years of experience providing creative and therapeutic support to individuals. Her work in art therapy has been complemented by an equal tenure in youth programming, where she has excelled in designing and implementing programs that foster artistic expression and personal growth among young people. As the co-founder and director of a non-profit literary organization, Monifa has spent six years leading initiatives that promote literature and the arts. Her leadership extends to the realm of spoken word, where she boasts over 27 years of experience as an artist and host, bringing poetry and performance art to diverse audiences.
Monifa’s literary prowess is evidenced by her extensive publications, which include notable works such as “In the Meantime” and “Letter from my Grandmother” featured in African Voices, and “Moon Cycle” published in The African American Review. Her chapbook, “Between the Cracks of Concrete Thighs,” showcases her command of language and her ability to evoke powerful imagery and emotions. Monifa’s influence in the literary community is further highlighted by her numerous interviews and features in publications like Legendary Women and Fig Magazine, where her insights into race, genre, and the power of poetry have been widely recognized.
In addition to her writing and art therapy work, Monifa has made significant contributions to program development and facilitation. She has been involved with various youth programs, including USC Trio Programs Upward Bound and the Writer’s Well Youth Fellowship. Monifa’s dedication to fostering artistic talent is also evident through her leadership in organizing events such as the TWH Poetry Retreat and the TWH Poetry Festival. Her talents have been acknowledged through several grants and fellowships, including the Jasper magazine Artist of the Year for Poetry and the We Shall Overcome grant. As a sought-after speaker, moderator, and judge, Monifa continues to inspire and uplift communities through her art, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the transformative power of creativity.
These workshops will be facilitated by professionals from Flock and Rally, a full-service, women-owned integrated communications and marketing company that partners with clients to build beautiful brands and tell engaging stories.
Classes held virtually (Zoom) on the following dates from 10 a.m. to noon.
Co-founding partner at Flock and Rally: Integrated Communications and Marketing, Debi Schadel is a marketing professional based in Columbia who has a lengthy and successful track record in launching new initiatives, placemaking and community-building.
Founded in 2010, Flock and Rally is a full-service, women-owned creative agency that provides integrated communications and marketing services to clients in sectors such as higher education, nonprofit, travel and tourism, technology, health care, economic development and more.
Schadel has been honored as one of Columbia Business Monthly magazine’s “50 Most Influential,” Free Times’ “Power 50” and Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women to Watch.” The Flock and Rally team has garnered more than 85 awards, including Gold and Silver ADDYs from the American Advertising Federation of the Midlands, Best in Show awards from the International Association of Business Communicators’ S.C. chapter and the S.C. Public Relations Society of America, and the Shining Light Award from the Southeast Tourism Society.
Schadel co-founded TedXColumbiaSC, One Million Cups Columbia, Crafty Feast, the Columbia chapter of the American Marketing Association, Columbia’s first women’s roller derby league and more. She is a board member at the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce.
Along with an undergraduate degree in Sociology from SUNY Fredonia, she holds a Master of Real Estate Development from Clemson University and a Master of Science in Geography from the University of South Carolina.
Merritt (McHaffie) McNeely joined Flock and Rally in 2018, first as VP of marketing, bringing an extensive background in marketing, communications and organizational leadership. In June 2020, she was promoted to executive vice president. In September 2022, she was elevated to the role of CEO.
Since joining Flock and Rally, she has led the team to one gold and three silver ADDY awards.
Merritt worked as the executive director for the Five Points Association from 2005-2013 and during her tenure, accomplished numerous vital projects for the neighborhood, including serving as the youngest and first female chair of the annual St. Pat’s in Five Points festival.
From 2013-2018, Merritt was the director of marketing and membership for the South Carolina State Museum. She led the statewide marketing and communications for the grand opening of the new museum in 2014 and became founder and chair of the Total Eclipse Weekend, Columbia, S.C. campaign, which drew hundreds of thousands of travelers to the Midlands.
Merritt attended the University of South Carolina and earned her degree in Public Relations from the school of Journalism and Mass Communications.
She is a recipient of the State Media Company’s “20 Under 40,” Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women of Influence”, Columbia Business Monthly’s “50 Most Influential” and “S.C. Women in Business 2022” honors. In addition to years of board service with the Congaree Vista Guild, Merritt served as president of its board from July 2018 to July 2020. In the past, she served on the boards of the Columbia Design League, the Animal Mission and the Babcock Center Foundation. Merritt currently sits on the Five Points Association’s board of directors.
If you are seeking more program information, please contact Artist Development Director Tanisha N. Brown (803.734.8043 | tbrown@arts.sc.gov).