20 August 2026
Today, the SC Arts Commission voted 5-2 to further delay the funding to two community arts organizations – The Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and Proud Mary Theatre– asking them to further defend the artistic merit of their programming. All other Operating Support grantees were funded by a unanimous vote.
The Commission also adopted a resolution, provided here by the ACLU of South Carolina, that states “as its policy that no person or entity that receives grant funding from the Commission shall, in any work funded in whole or in part by grant funds administered by or received from the Commission, promote any ideology without regard to what that ideology might be.”
The resolution also directs staff to “adopt policies and procedures, including without limitation the inclusion in all contracts and other agreements of a certification by the grantee” in alignment with this policy.
Read the public comment that the SCAA submitted after the initial delay here.
The following is a response to today’s action from Jeff Robinson, South Carolina Arts Alliance Executive Director.
We strongly disagree with the South Carolina Arts Commission’s decision to single out these two community organizations, after the artistic merit of their programming has already been evaluated, scored, and determined to be in line with all grant requirements.
To be clear, withholding these funds, even temporarily, will not only impact these two organizations. It will negatively impact their audiences, the artists they work with, and the communities they serve.
One of the most important things that the arts do for our citizens is bring communities together — especially when citizens might see the world differently. In fact, 72% of Americans agree “arts and culture events are safe spaces to share thoughts and ideas, even when others have different views.”
The Commission’s resolution to ban ideology from grant funded programming is both vague and inconsistent with its founding legislation, which charges the agency with “encouraging and assisting rather than limiting the freedom of artistic expression that is essential for the well-being of the arts.” Furthermore, we believe that ideas, beliefs, and subject matter — of all kinds– are integral parts of artistic merit.
Expression is inseparable from art — which is why it is so essential that it be protected.
Take Action
The Board of Commissioners will meet again on October 15, 2026.
There are several opportunities for advocates to once again make their voices heard in advance of this meeting, and more information about each can be found on the agency website. In addition to respectfully encouraging Commissioners to apply the same standards of artistic merit to these two organizations that they apply to other grantees, let them know that you stand in strong support of free expression.
Submit Public Comment
Advocates, particularly those impacted by the delay, are encouraged to submit comments pertaining to the work of the South Carolina Arts Commission via a Public Comment Form. As with all advocacy efforts remember to keep messages respectful and bi-partisan.
The deadline for public comment for the October 15th meeting is Thursday, October 8th.
Attend the Meeting
Commission meetings are open to the public through an in-person viewing room at the Agency Office. In-person attendees will still be watching the meeting on a live-stream, but this is an opportunity for advocate presence.
Watch the Meeting from Home
The public may also view the livestream from home via a Zoom link.
*Advocates who wish to attend the meeting either virtually or “in-person” must follow the request procedure outlined on the agency website.
