COLUMIBA, S.C.– The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts has announced that it has accepted the S.C. Arts Commission’s invitation to make South Carolina the site of the National Symphony Orchestra’s 2008 American Residency. The announcement was made after the unveiling of the Arts Commission’s new logo Monday at the 2007 Statewide Arts Conference in Newberry, where approximately 150 arts leaders from across the state convened for two days of training workshops and networking events.
National Symphony Orchestra spokesperson Patricia O’Kelly announced NSO’s plans during the Arts Commission’s 40th Anniversary kick off celebration. “On behalf of the National Symphony Orchestra and the KennedyCenter, it gives us great pleasure to accept the South Carolina Arts Commission’s invitation. We already have many connections with South Carolina, and the Residency will strengthen those ties,” said O’Kelly.
Between February 8 and 16, 2008, Orchestra members will participate in five orchestral concerts and dozens of educational and outreach activities throughout the state. The Commission will coordinate all Residency activities. South Carolina Arts Commission Executive Director Suzette Surkamer sees the Residency as an excellent enhancement to the lineup of special activities planned to celebrate the agency’s 40th anniversary.
“We are delighted that the National Symphony Orchestra has accepted our invitation to make South Carolinathe site for its 2008 American Residency,” said Surkamer. “It is our pleasure to welcome first-class musicians to present great work in communities across our state, and we are grateful that all of the proceeds from each concert will remain in South Carolinato benefit our own arts organizations.”
Surkamer also addressed the Arts Commission’s anniversary. "I’m extremely honored to announce that Arts Commission has provided 40 years of services and funding to those who make the arts available to the citizens in their communities," said Surkamer. "Our agency and those it has partnered with throughout the years have made great strides in creating access to the arts and arts education in our state.”
Beginning in 1967 with a mission “to promote and develop all of the arts for all the people in the state,” the Arts Commission has implemented various arts programs across an array of disciplines, including granting programs, fellowship opportunities and special awards. The agency has worked to make it possible for the arts to be taken into the schools and local communities across the state, and has helped develop numerous arts councils and community arts organizations, including South Carolina’s Arts in the Basic Curriculum Plan, which focuses on incorporating the arts as a basic element in the curriculum of South Carolinaschools.
“This anniversary year is a perfect time to recognize those individuals, artists, organizations and other arts leaders who have joined forces with the agency to help the agency realize its goals,” she said. “Those individuals and the relationships they formed have created new avenues for the arts in our state, and helped communities grow stronger through the arts; I am grateful for those relationships.”
The Arts Commission plans to recognize those individuals, as well as major accomplishments, ideas and milestones that have contributed to the development of the arts during the past 40 years through its “40 Lists” project, a series of lists that will be compiled and released throughout the celebration year, which extends through June 2008. Citizens can contribute to the lists beginning Oct. 1 by visiting www.SouthCarolinaArts.com.
About SC Arts Commission
The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission is celebrating 40 years of increasing public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolinaand by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.”
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