Strategic Plan

Values

Five core values inform our vision and guide our daily work.

Image: Dr. Gail V. Barnes, 2025 Governor’s Award for the Arts recipient, conducts students in the USC String Project. SCAC photo.

• Accountability

  We are committed to transparency, honesty, and integrity.

• Courage

  We are committed to, and call for, leadership that advances access to the arts through policy and practice.

• Creativity

  We value innovation, creative expression, and a commitment to quality in artistic experiences.

• Learning

  We believe learning in and through the arts is integral to a continuum of lifelong growth.

• Relationships

  We believe building connections in communities and working in partnership deepens impact and advances the arts.

Outcomes

The five outcomes and their objectives are intended to transition the vision—a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences—into a reality.

• Outcome 1

  South Carolina citizens and visitors benefit from diverse arts experiences in communities throughout the state.

  Activate Arts Hub Regions and Hub Extension locations to expand access to the arts.

  Consistently award grants and provide services that impact all 46 counties.

  Ensure that accessibility best practices are embedded in all grants, programs, and physical spaces.

  State Art Collection acquisition and loan policies and procedures increase access to the collection and improve safety and preservation of the works.

  Celebrate and support the many ways South Carolinians engage in artistic expression and creativity.

• Outcome 2

  Artists have opportunities to build sustainable careers in South Carolina.

  Provide a robust grant portfolio for individual artists based on SCAC budget levels, funding sources, and agency capacity.

  Cultivate direct programs and partnerships that create professional opportunities for artists statewide and within Arts Hub Regions.

  Activate peer networks and external resources to support programming, advocacy, funding, and other resources for artists statewide and within Arts Hub Regions.

  Offer opportunities for artists to participate in a learning continuum ranging from pre-professional to advanced career training.

• Outcome 3

  Students receive a comprehensive education in and through the arts that aligns with the knowledge, skills, and characteristics outlined in the Profile of the SC Graduate.

  Provide a robust grant portfolio for Arts Learning based on SCAC budget levels, funding sources, and agency capacity.

  Cultivate programs and partnerships that advance learning in and through the arts statewide and within Arts Hub Regions.

  Activate the Arts Grow SC collective impact network and external resources to support programming, advocacy, funding, and other resources for learning in and through the arts statewide and within Arts Hub Regions.

  Offer opportunities for educators, administrators, and teaching artists to participate in a learning continuum ranging from pre-professional to advanced career training.

• Outcome 4

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

  Provide a robust grant portfolio for arts organizations and providers based on SCAC budget levels, funding sources, and agency capacity.

  Cultivate programs and partnerships that support arts providers and arts leaders statewide and within Arts Hub Regions.

  Activate peer networks and external resources to support programming, advocacy, funding, and other resources for arts providers statewide and within Arts Hub Regions.

  Offer opportunities for arts leaders to participate in a learning continuum ranging from pre-professional to advanced career training.

• Outcome 5

  There is recognition of the essential value of public funding for the arts in South Carolina.

  Develop and communicate unified messages about the role the arts play in quality of life, education, workforce development, and economic vitality.

  Equip and encourage commissioners, artists, educators, arts leaders, and advocates to communicate the value of public funding for the arts.

  Conduct or commission research and evaluation that documents the value of the arts and arts education.