About the S.C. Arts Directory

This is an extensive directory of artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists across many disciplines who work throughout South Carolina.

Serving to connect artists, organizations, 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.

If you are an artist, arts organization or creative arts therapist you can apply to join the directory! All members of the Arts Directory have a unique page with contact information, a photo, and a biography.

Applications are managed through Submittable. In order to apply, you must create a free Submittable account.

Thank you for your interest in applying to become a member of the South Carolina Arts Directory. We are currently updating our SCAD application process and have temporarily paused applications. Please feel free to leave your contact information here so that we may inform you when the applications have re-opened. We anticipate that the updates will be complete by Mid-July. We appreciate your patience and understanding: South Carolina Arts Directory Interest Form

• Benefits of S.C. Arts Directory membership

  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:

  • Connectivity to other artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists
  • Prestige of a juried process
  • Access to online professional development offered by the SCAC
  • Access to digital networking offered by the SCAC (forthcoming)
  • Exposure to schools and communities
  • SCAC Arts in Education grant recipients must use members of the members of the S.C. Arts Directory for grant-funded group lectures, demonstrations, performances, classroom residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences.

• What is the Teaching Artist Certification?

  Certified Teaching Artists are approved members of the Arts Directory who have been juried and certified by the SCAC to work in K-12 classrooms. Artists labeled as Certified Teaching Artists on the directory have been additionally vetted by the SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation. They are identified on the Arts Directory with a gold star and can be searched for by toggling the “Certified Teaching Artist” button on the search page. All Certified Teaching Artists have a unique page with contact information, a photo, a descriptive biography, and a teacher review section.

  We encourage, but do not require, grant-funded teaching artist residencies to employ Certified Teaching Artists. 

  Benefits of being a certified teaching artist include: 

  • Enhanced SCAD listing with program offerings, including residency benefits and requirements
  • Connectivity to other artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists
  • Prestige of a juried process
  • Access to professional development
  • Exposure to schools and communities
  • 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.

• Frequently Asked Questions

  How often does a member of the Arts Directory have to reapply?
  Arts Directory renewal and Teaching Artist recertification 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 Certified Teaching Artists also members of the Arts Directory?
  Yes. Before receiving the application for the Teaching Artist Certification, one must be approved as a member of the Arts Directory. Additionally, Arts Access Master Teaching Artists are members of the Arts Directory and are Certified Teaching Artists. Arts Access Master Teaching Artists have trained with Arts Access SC to provide children, youth, and adults with disabilities quality arts experiences.

  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 Certified Teaching Artists 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 Certified 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 Certified 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 (SCAC program staff and management) review applications and determine membership/certification status using a specialized rubric. Final approval for the Arts Directory membership and Teaching Artist Certification is granted by the executive director.

  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 Certified Teaching Artists for S.C. Dept. of Education Arts Curricular Innovation grants, which include the Innovative Arts Works grant and the Distinguished Arts Programs grant. Many school districts require that Arts Directory members are used for group lectures, demonstrations, and performances and Certified Teaching Artists are used for classroom residencies. Check with your district office about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.

  What does it mean to be an Arts Access Master Teaching Artist?
  Arts Access Master Teaching Artists are members of the Arts Directory and are Certified Teaching Artists. Arts Access Master Teaching Artists have trained with Arts Access SC to provide children, youth, and adults with disabilities quality arts experiences. To learn more about Arts Access SC, visit their website.

  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 Certified Teaching Artist?
  No. Artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists outside of South Carolina may apply for both the Arts Directory and to become a Certified Teaching Artist.

  Does SCAC place Certified 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 Certification can serve as a marketing tool and will help schools find you when searching for an artist in residence. 

  Does the SCAC Teaching Artist Certification 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 Certification does not replace the S.C. Department of Education’s Program for Alternative Certification (PACE) for full-time arts classroom teachers.   

I’m here to help!

For questions about the Arts Directory, and/or if you are a Directory artist needing to update your listing, please contact Arts Directory Coordinator Amanda Noyes (anoyes@arts.sc.gov | 803.734.8675).