5 November 2026

At today’s special called meeting, the SC Arts Commission Board of Commissioners approved new grant guidelines that impose further content restrictions on funded activities — a likely result of discussion that took place at the October 15 meeting. The policy reads:

In addition to prohibiting content deemed obscene under SC Law (SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024)), it is the policy of the Board of Commissioners that in the evaluation of grant applications, work samples, proposed project activities, or grant deliverables, substantially negative weight will be given to projects that contain vulgar, obscene or abusive language, such language being inconsistent with community standards of decency and respect.

Commissioners also adopted new procedures for the grants process that clarifies their role in reviewing content prior to the applications being scored by a third-party panel.

Potential grantees will be asked to to indicate in their application whether or not the activities will contain content referenced above. If they indicate that activities may contain vulgar, obscene, or abusive language, they will then be required to further outline the inclusion of this content. Those applications will be flagged and presented to the Commissioners, who will then determine, by vote at weekly meetings, if:

  • If the application should move forward to the evaluation panel
  • If the inclusion of outlined content should result in a scoring penalty

You can watch a recording of the meeting here >>

Why It Matters

As the Commission continues to update its policies, SCAA has been continuously advocating for further transparency and clarity in how they will be implemented into the grants process. The procedures they adopted today provide clarity to the role of the Commissioners in this process. It also requires their determinations about content to take place on the record, in public view. For this we are grateful.

The new restrictions, however, raise additional questions for the arts community:

  • What specific language is considered inconsistent with community standards, and who determines what those standards are?
  • How will an applicant know if language is considered vulgar, obscene, or abusive?
  • What will the penalty be if an application moves forward, but with “substantially negative weight” imposed?

Aside from these questions, we still continue to have concerns about how these policies will impact artistic expression. Can grantees continue to program or plan work with their communities and artistic merit in mind, and trust that Commissioners will evaluate their artistic decisions in good faith? Or will artistic choices now be filtered through the threat of denial or “substantial negative weight.”

Above all, by continuing to erect limits to free expression, even if self-imposed, the Commission appears to be moving in opposition to its founding legislation. The South Carolina Arts Alliance stands firm in its position that these policies are harmful to the arts community.

Take Action

We still need your help to let the Commissioners know that policies that limit free expression are harmful to the arts community. These comments are incredibly important because they create a public record of constituent concerns and lay the foundation for ongoing advocacy efforts.

Advocates are encouraged to submit comments pertaining to the work of the South Carolina Arts Commission via a Public Comment Form. For some, this issue may be deeply personal. As with all advocacy efforts, remember to keep messages respectful and bi-partisan — this is how we ensure that all voices are effectively heard.

  • Remind them the importance of fidelity in the grant review process, and that grants awards should not be subject to personal bias or feelings about the work.
  • Let them know that you stand in strong support of free expression. 
  • Express concerns with the new policy, particularly the impact it might have on your programming. If appropriate, provide examples of disruptions or administrative strain that frequent policy changes are having on your work.
  • Remind them that they are charged with encouraging artistic expression rather than limiting it.
  • Affirm that arts programming should represent the diverse stories, experiences, and viewpoints of ALL South Carolinians.