In “Unscripted,” my arts column today, I ask the Charleston Arts Coalition, a new group of artists and arts supporters making the case for a community arts center, to stop talking about building a facility and start talking instead about how to build a service organization.
Set aside, for now at least, discussion of “a unified center for the arts.” Focus instead on informal gatherings in which there is movement toward the creation of a service organization. This would be just what it sounds like. A service organization would serve artists: providing advocacy, business advice, fund-raising strategies, and other things yet to be determined. A rough model already exists with the League of Charleston Theatres.
Most of all, this service organization would provide a singular voice for artists and help establish venues in Charleston. Note that’s “venues” with an S. This organization would help find a new home for PURE, the CBT, and Redux. The service organization’s mission should be finding many small venues for artists, not one huge venue.
The arts coalition believes consolidating artists is key. But given Charleston’s unique nature, perhaps scattering artists across the city is a better idea. Fred Delk of Columbia Development Corp. told us last week that he’s working to devise a “scattering model” in which he would replicate creative spaces throughout Columbia. This is worth looking into. It’s practical thinking, not magical thinking.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.