COLUMBIA -- The deadline to apply for a 2008-2009 fellowship award from the S.C. Arts Commission is Oct. 1. Artists can apply for an award in visual arts, craft, dance performance and dance choreography. Applications and guidelines are available at www.southcarolinaarts.com.

The Arts Commission, through its Individual Artists Fellowship Program, encourages the pursuit of artistic excellence and provides financial support to South Carolina artists of merit. Up to six fellowship awards of $5,000 each are awarded annually based on a rotating discipline cycle.

S.C. Arts Commission Executive Director Suzette Surkamer said the program is a way to acknowledge outstanding artistic accomplishment and promote public awareness and appreciation for the role of the artist in South Carolina. The latter is a benefit ranked highly by many fellows.

"A public vote of confidence was the most important aspect of my award, for art making can be an unrelenting and insecure business," said Jamie Davis, a 2007-2008 craft fellow from Pickens County.

Since 1976, the Arts Commission has awarded 194 fellowship awards to actors, craftsmen, poets, screenwriters, musicians and more in recognition of exemplary artistic talent. Fellowship awards have no restriction on use of funds.

"The fellowship program allows artists the freedom to choose how they will use the award," said John Benjamin Gilliam, a 2007-2008 craft fellow from Greenville. Gilliam used his grant to attend a workshop in Ireland this summer.

"Without the award, I wouldn't have had the resources to make the trip," he said.

The Individual Artist Fellowship Program is one of the agency's most competitive grant programs. Fellows and alternates are recommended by out-of-state review panelists, who make selections based solely on a review of work samples. These recommendations are approved by the Arts Commission Board. For more information, call 803-734-8696 or visit www.southcarolinaarts.com.

Special to The T&D

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