City of Charleston seeks nominations for newly established Commission on the Arts

Mayor William Cogswell and the Charleston City Council are seeking nominations for three arts organization representatives and two at-large members of the newly established Commission on the Arts.

Purpose and Power

The Commission on the Arts shall serve as an advisory body to the Mayor and City Council in all arts-related matters, including long-range planning, public art, and City-sponsored cultural programs and events. The Commission shall promote close cooperation between the City and all citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting activities relating to the arts, so that Charleston’s resources may be coordinated to maximize promotion and support of the arts in the City.

The Commission shall:

• Encourage communication between arts organizations;

• Foster and assist the continued development of the arts in the City;

• Recommend to the Mayor a minimum of three (3) citizens annually to act as ambassadors to the arts;
• Submit an annual report to City Council summarizing the activities of the Commission.

Public Art

No painting, picture, sculpture, or other work of public art shall be permanently displayed or erected on any public street or park unless it first has been approved by the Commission, subject to final approval by City Council.

The Commission, which has 20 member seats, is appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of City Council.

Nominations are for: two (2) City Councilmembers, one (1) City employee, four (4) at-large members appointed after application, and 13 representatives of local arts organizations. Ten organizations have been designated by ordinance:

• The Gaillard Center

• Charleston Symphony Orchestra

• The Gibbes Museum of Art

• Spoleto Festival USA

• MOJA Arts Festival

• Charleston Literary Festival

• Charleston Stage

• Footlight Players

• Charleston Jazz Festival
• The Charleston Library Society

Three organization seats remain open for qualifying arts organizations to apply.

The Mayor has already appointed two of the four at-large members:

• At-large member Cynthia Hayes, gallery owner in Charleston for 20 years and one of the founding members of the French Quarter Gallery Association
• At-large member Alice “Janet” Hopkins (artist and children’s art teacher)

At-large members shall be selected from professionals in the arts, or persons demonstrating knowledge of and appreciation for the arts. The membership of the Commission should represent the broad arts constituency of Charleston.

Commission members shall serve two-year terms or until their successors have been appointed and qualified. For members representing the local arts organizations, service on this Commission will end if no longer employed by the represented organization, and a new member will be appointed. The Mayor shall annually appoint one (1) of the Commission’s members to be chairperson.

Nomination letters of no more than one page should be sent to Rochelle Riley, Director of Cultural Affairs, at [email protected] by June 5, 2026.

Establishment

The Commission is established by City Code, Section 2-171 through Section 2-174, Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 5 and exists because Council and the City recognize the benefits of art and the role the arts play in defining a community’s unique identity and civic pride. The City further recognizes that research has shown that the arts foster economic development, improve the local business climate, enhance the image of the community and promote cultural tourism. Additionally, artwork viewable by the public enhances aesthetics and complements scenic, natural, and landscape features in a built environment, providing psychological advantages to citizens and visitors. Furthermore, art, in all of its varied forms and styles, expresses the confidence, vitality and optimism of the community and its goal of enhancing livability for all its citizens.