26 October 2026
In January 2027, a new Governor will take office in South Carolina for the first time in a decade. As the next Chief Executive, the Governor will set priorities, influence policy, appoint leadership, and support initiatives within South Carolina government. In this blog, we’re introducing our latest white paper, Championing Creativity: Supporting Arts and Culture as South Carolina’s Next Governor, to highlight opportunities to lead and collaborate with the sector once they take office.
As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the South Carolina Arts Alliance works diligently to ensure that the arts are supported in our State, regardless of the outcome of any election. By law, we do not support, endorse, or oppose any political candidate or party for public office.
Let’s start with some Government 101:
In South Carolina, the Governor’s office has constitutional limits, especially when compared to other states. Much of the power has historically beenconcentrated in the General Assembly who write laws, create the budget, select judges, and can override vetoes. In addition, South Carolina has elected constitutional officials that operate independently of the Executive Branch. Many other semi-independent agencies are governed by boards or commissions – although the Governor often has appointment and removal powers within those bodies. The Governor directly appoints the heads of 23 cabinet level agencies, who report to the executive.
These limits, however, do not diminish the importance of the office.
In fact, one of the Governor’s most important tools is the “bully pulpit,” or their ability to influence both public opinion and the many levers of government. Whether it is about a specific policy decision, or not, how the Governor talks about the arts matters. When the Governor uses their platform to frame arts and culture as an essential part of South Carolina’s identity, policy makers are more likely to advance initiatives that sustain and strengthen the sector.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the Governor can leverage these tools to support a vibrant arts community and build a stronger South Carolina to the benefit of all its citizens.
South Carolina’s next Governor should sustain and grow the state’s investment in South Carolina communities through statewide arts grants.
We firmly believe that public funding is essential to the cultural fabric of our State. We have seen arts create a ripple effect in South Carolina communities that leads to vibrant local economies, more connected populations, and better quality of life for residents. These benefits, along with many others, make South Carolina a better place to live, work, and visit.
The arts industry is not built on public dollars alone. In fact, most state grants require applicants to match state investments with other revenue sources – anywhere from $1 to $3 for every state dollar. This means that state-level investments work hand in hand with foundations, private individuals, local governments, and more to build up communities in every corner of South Carolina.
South Carolina’s next Governor should sustain support initiatives that expand opportunity and access, and ensure that funding for existing grantees is responsive to evolving needs.
The ability to reach every corner is precisely what makes public funding so critical. State-level investment ensures that all 46 counties in South Carolina have access to the myriad of benefits that the arts provide — regardless of available local resources. As a state agency, the SC Arts Commission is positioned to provide strategic leadership in ensuring these funds reach the communities that need them most.
South Carolina’s next Governor should champion policies that encourage and assist, rather than limit, the freedom of artistic expression that is essential for the well-being of the arts.
The Governor’s most direct influence over the state arts agency is the appointment of its Commissioners. These leaders must be nonpartisan advocates for the sector and defend policies that protect free expression. Not only is this required by state statute, it is critical to the well-being of the arts.
South Carolina’s next Governor should leverage South Carolina’s rapidly growing tax base to expand investment in arts education through Education Improvement Act funds.
South Carolina has long been recognized as a national leader in arts education with state-level policies that emphasize the arts as a part of, not apart from, the basic curriculum. State level investments in arts education using Education Improvement Act funds – a 1% dedicated sales tax established in 1984 – are a critical part of that legacy. While EIA funds have increased by around 86% in the last decade, allocations to arts education programs at the SC Arts Commission and the SC Department of Education have only grown by 7%.
While the Governor does not directly control the budget or education policy, he can have substantial influence on both. We know that students who have access to arts learning, both in school and out of school, are more engaged, perform at a higher level academically, and are able to problem solve and create innovative solutions needed in our 21st century workforce. These proven impacts on shared education goals are a compelling reason to grow the State’s investment in arts education.
South Carolina’s next Governor should invite arts leaders to the table as thought partners on statewide issues and appoint creative professionals or arts-connected leaders to a variety of statewide boards and commissions.
The arts are a well-tested tool for achieving cross-sector goals – with demonstrated impact through creative practices, as thought partners, as community connectors, and as trusted messengers. Artists and creative professionals are, by nature, connected with a broad spectrum of the citizenry and are especially adept at problem solving, communication, and collaboration.
Arts leaders can also bring important perspectives to areas like community development, healthcare, and education, and the sector faces its own unique challenges around emergent issues like workforce development and artificial intelligence.
As of September 29, 2026, there are nearly 250 vacancies for Gubernatorially appointed positions on state boards and commissions. The next Governor will be responsible for filling these positions, which presents a significant opportunity to invite creative professionals and arts-connected leaders to the table on important issues.
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