SC Arts in Education Forum

The SC Arts in Education Forum is a pivotal one-day event aimed at leaders who are influential in shaping arts education within South Carolina's PK-12 educational system. This year's forum will delve into critical discussions surrounding the expansion of access to arts learning, inspired by the inquiries brought forth by the 2025 SC Arts in Education Task Force. Attendees can expect to gain insights from the task force's extensive research, findings, and priorities that will inform an actionable agenda for the next three years. A highlight of the forum will be the keynote address delivered by Mary Dell'Erba, the assistant director for the Arts Education Partnership, who brings a wealth of experience in arts education advocacy and policy development.The forum will kick off with an introduction to the 2025 SC Arts in Education Task Force, co-chaired by Carol Baker and Kim Wilson. They will discuss the task force's objectives, their research methodology, and the organization of their report. Various subcommittee chairs will share key moments and highlight specific findings related to the task force's identified priorities. Additionally, the event will feature breakout sessions focused on AfterSchool and Summer Learning Programs, providing attendees opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue with task force members about the State of the Creative State report and explore promising practices within both afterschool and school day environments. Participants will have the chance to share feedback and collaborate on strategies to enhance arts education engagement. Organized in West Columbia, South Carolina, this forum is supported by the ABC Institute, a partner in the Arts Grow SC collective network, and funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which in turn receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.