Special Edition in Response to COVID-19
psae
COVID-19 and the Arts
This issue of Arts Ed Thread is focused on giving you quick updates and links to information from Palmetto State Arts Education and its partners.  We hope that these will be of use to you as we all work to navigate through this complicated and frequently overwhelming situation, dealing with the massive upheaval in our educational community as well as our daily lives. 

We at PSAE are struck over and over again by the grace, strength and courage that we see daily from our educators.  Thank you for all that you are doing.

Eve Walling Wohlford
Executive Director
Palmetto State Arts Education
2017 Briarwood Road
Greenwood, SC 29646
864.993.8396


PSAE Awards
Sheka Houston, principal of New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School, this year's recipient of SC STEAM School of Excellence with PSAE Chair Kerry Kuhlkin-Hornsby 

PSAE Awards updates: 

  • The deadline for all awards applications has been extended until July 15, 2020.
  • The requirement for videos for those applications asking for one is suspended for 2020 awards.


 

 
Rising Stars Piccolo Spoleto 2020
Rising Stars updates:
  • A present, no cancelation notification from Piccolo Spoleto.
  • 2020 Rising Stars Piccolo Spoleto Series students posted online along with links to audition videos. 
  • PSAE will be working with Piccolo Spoleto to present the series in another form should they decide to cancel.
scacSouth Carolina Arts Commission
COVID-19 Arts Reponse
As with the rest of state government, the South Carolina Arts Commission remains open and serving our constituents albeit from the safety of our own homes. Please visit our website, which includes an ever-evolving resource page for artists, arts organizations, educators, and parents. Also included are updates on funding as well as links to the SC Arts Alliance's efforts for advocacy and policy.

We know in these uncertain times many organizations, schools, and artists are concerned about their ability to carry out grant-funded programs and activities. If you need to modify your FY2020 grant or grand-supported activities, please contact Cathy Lee via email at [email protected] to learn about your options. 


Ashley Kerns Brown
Deputy Director
SC Arts Commission
1026 Sumter Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
803.734.8630

scaa
South Carolina Arts Alliance
The SC Arts Alliance is very busy with advocacy around COVID-19 and also the state budget. In short, the items the SCAA is monitoring include: arts funding in relief packages, unemployment benefits, and regular arts funding - at the state and federal level. The SCAA has created an Advocacy Resource page on its website.

More Info >>

TAKE ACTION
Let our state leaders know that the arts are getting hit particularly hard during this state of emergency. Click below to send an email to your legislators and the Governor to encourage them to support the arts during this time. 



George Patrick "GP" McLeer
Executive Director
SC Arts Alliance
315 N. Main St.
Fountain Inn, SC 29644
864.314.0712


abc
Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project
All of us at ABC Project hope this finds each of you and your families safe and healthy. We are working from home and are fully operational. We remain steadfast to supporting and connecting with our ABC network leaders, teachers, schools, and communities as we confront these new challenges together. 
  • First, ABC Project will focus on utilizing our Zoom subscription, continuing our online support series and live-time interaction with our network. Our website features a calendar for upcoming events and a news page, with links to access video meetings previously hosted.
  • Additionally, the ABC Project has decided to focus our FB posts on parental/caregiver support with their new roles in distance learning. Please tag us (@ABCProjectSC) with any efforts you are making to support our "Parents as pARTners."
  • If you have an idea of how we can support your work, or the work of teachers, schools, and parents, please email me at [email protected].
Although our new reality is challenging, so many have responded with inspirational creativity and generosity. Thank you for demonstrating the best in ourselves. Take care for yourself and others.

Kim Wilson
ABC Project Director
Arts in Basic Curriculum Project
105 McLaurin Hall, Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC 29733
803-323-3010

aascArts Access South Carolina
Arts Access South Carolina (AASC) has made changes and adjustments to our spring scheduling, as follows: 

No school residencies throughout South Carolina (March 15 - April 30, 2020, maybe longer if Governor McMaster mandates); No day programs for United Cerebral Palsy of South Carolina until further notice; No programs for Disabled Veterans; No participation in Aiken's Special Olympic and Special Arts Festival (April 24).

AASC plans to continue programing in late spring, summer and early fall, dependent upon pandemic status and relaxation of social distancing mandates. We are currently in planning/training stages of two summer programs where AASC artists will facilitate summer camp activities for participants with disabilities: Aiken Arts Center (June) and City of Columbia/ Parks & Recreation Department's Arts Center (July). All communication and have been facilitated remotely via email, phone, video conference and social media.

One third of AACS teaching artists are over 60 years of age with disabilities. Although they serve as mentors to our students and participants, they are considered a high risk group as well. The economic concerns rising as a result of the pandemic impact us all. However, AASC artists who serve as independent contractors and "gig" workers have been impacted even greater and may NOT benefit from the Rescue Bill recently passed by Congress, depending on their individual situations.

To that end, AASC is seeking creative ways to assist and provide funds to our core group of 20 artists. They require and deserve the same kind of Rescue relief and support. We are seeking an additional $50,000 for emergency artist funds.

AASC receives funds from entities that require matching funds, and contractual ending dates. Hopefully, leadership at SCAC, SCDOE, and The Kennedy Center will think outside the box and decide to preserve personal human contact over governmental paper contracts. Keeping Hope Alive! 

ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA provides Artist in School Residency throughout the School year. Any schools with an interest in programs for students with special education eligibility for summer or fall 2020 should contact Executive Director, Julia M. Brown-DuBose. 


Julia Brown-DuBose
Executive Director
Arts Access South Carolina
c/o SC Arts Commission
1026 Sumter St., Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
803.734.0445



Stay Connected
2017 Briarwood Road, Greenwood, SCAwesomeville, MA ยท 555.555.5555