ART
WORKS IN S.C. : TELL YOUR STORY
When asked what makes the biggest
impression on Legislators about the arts and especially
with regards to arts organizations, policymakers at
the state and national level tell us these two important
factors:
· Successful and
innovative programs in the arts and arts education
that reflect service and quality to a diverse, broad-based
constituency within our classrooms and our communities
· Positive economic
impact of the arts industry – how the arts
bring revenue into our state; leveraging federal,
state, and local public and private monies to serve
their constituents
Therefore, we must tell our success stories in
rural and urban communities across our state and
we must tell them over and over again! Assess
your organization and its interaction within the
community:
Does your community have a cultural
plan that includes the arts?
Do you sit at the table with planners and policymakers who
make things happen in your community such as city and county government?
What creative partnerships and collaborations have you formed
that include the arts and arts education?
Do you coordinate the artists-in-education program for your
schools? Do you share these artists with the community? How?
Do you work in partnership with social services, business,
parks, recreation and tourism departments, city and county government, school
board and the higher education community?
How do you affect the economic growth of your community?
Are you considered a “quality of life factor”?
Does your organization bring in accommodation tax monies
through festivals,
performances, and exhibitions -- do you put "heads
on beds"?
Do you participate in or conduct a united arts fund drive
in your community?
Does your organization have an outreach program? Who
do you serve in a non-tradition manner? Do you serve those with special
disabilities?
How broad-based are your affiliate member organizations? Are
you inclusive and culturally diverse?
Do you manage a facility that serves as a hub for community
activity? Is it assessable to populations with special needs?
Do you provide a performing arts series for you community,
perhaps, the only affordable venue for your community to enjoy quality performances?
Do you promote local and regional artists?
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS: ART
WORKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA!
