Arts Commission grant, program supports three S.C. artist-entrepreneurs

Grant, program supports three S.C. artist-entrepreneurs

The South Carolina Arts Commission is supporting the business initiatives of three South Carolina artist entrepreneurs (#SCartists) through a program and grant designed to help them build satisfying, sustainable careers.

The Artists’ Business Initiative is an SCAC program that offers professional caliber working artists in South Carolina financial support, through a competitive grant, for arts-based entrepreneurial initiatives and professional training that enhances their business knowledge and skills.

The grant can support start-up costs, taking an existing business in a new direction, or executing a temporary initiative (like a single business purchase) that will improve sustainability. A one-time purchase may be awarded up to $3,500, and an ongoing business initiative may be awarded up to $5,000.
Further, ABI connects artists to affordable training options that support their development as entrepreneurs and profitable businesspeople.

Three FY26 grantees being announced today come from the Upstate and Lowcountry:
• Anita Dolman of Duncan is a muralist who will use a $3,400 grant on growing the mural side of her business with equipment upgrades that will help her create larger and more frequent murals more safely than she can currently.
• Decorated poet Glenis Redmond of Mauldin (Order of the Palmetto and Governor’s Award for the Arts recipient) is planning to publish her first children’s book based on a poem taken from her latest book inspired by South Carolina State Parks.
• Cristina Victor of Charleston is a ceramicist who plans to use a $5,000 grant to upgrade equipment that will streamline and reduce turnaround time on both the artistic and the administrative sides of her growing business.

Read more about them and see representative work samples at https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/artist-development/programs/artists-business-initiative/.

The latest data from the SCAC showed that South Carolina’s creative economy supports 123,550 jobs and generates tax revenues of $360 million. The SCAC encourages South Carolinians to support local artists and arts-based businesses as they shop for themselves and others for any reason or season throughout the year.

Applications for the next round of Artists’ Business Initiative grants are expected to open in early fall for FY27 funding. Step one of the application process is an intent to apply application. In step two, selected artists will be invited to develop their proposals into a full application. More information is available at https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/grant/abi/.

About the South Carolina Arts Commission

The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to expand access to the arts and foster the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina. We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences.

A state agency created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the SCAC works to increase public participation in the arts through grants, direct programs, staff assistance and partnerships in artist development, arts industry, arts learning, creative placemaking, and folklife and traditional arts. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the SCAC is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts, and other sources. Visit SouthCarolinaArts.com or call 803.734.8696, and follow @SCArtsComm on Facebook, Instagram, and X for #Arts4SC and #SCArtists content.

View this and other SCAC news on The Hub: https://www.scartshub.com/