The Cultural Council of Richland/Lexington Counties is the centralized resource for the Arts Community in Columbia, South Carolina. We provide leadership, funding and business expertise to artists and arts organizations to support local music, theatre, dance and visual and literary arts. The Cultural Council offers a single source of arts-related information to patrons and media. We contribute to economic development and quality of life in the Riverbanks Region by promoting the Arts as the foundation of the knowledge-based economy.

image ©: Columbia Museum of Art

Cultural Council of Richland & Lexington Counties Funding Priorities

YES - The Council will fund the following types of projects. Please note that this list is not inclusive:

Arts Project/Program

Projects, exhibitions, productions and presentations in all disciplines, including media, design, folk life/traditional arts and small press publications.
Expendable supplies & materials - only for direct program purposes
Commissioning of new works
Temporary rental and leasing of equipment - only for direct program purposes
Challenge/local government challenge - only for direct program purposes
Art in public places
Marketing of specific arts programs and services
Temporary art installation
Sudden opportunities with consultation of Cultural Council

Technical Assistance/Professional Development

Arts Education/Outreach

NO - The Council WILL NOT fund:

Capital improvements and real property
Purchase of equipment
Activities completed prior to the grant period
Support of the same project in more than one grant category
Projects by the Council's Major Grantees
Matching funds for one Council grant usesd as a match for another Council grant
Performances and exhibitions not open to the general public
Tuition for degree programs
Indirect costs
Underwriting for ongoing residencies or curricular programs in degree-granting colleges and universities
Fundraising Events
Program/playbill advertising
Scholarships, awards and plaques
Food and/or beverages at receptions or like events
Projects in which less than 50% of project's activites occur in Richland and/ or Lexington counties
Endowment or cash reserve
Challenge/local government challenge, except for special arts programs