Quarterly Grants Deadline Set For September 3rd

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is currently accepting quarterly grant applications from artists, organizations, schools, and teachers for arts projects scheduled to begin in October, November and December 2012.  Applications are due on or before 5pm on September 3rd.    

Applications can be obtained by contacting the Florence Regional Arts Alliance at peedeearts@gmail.com. Applicants may request up to $2,500.  Because application materials change from time to time, it is recommended that previous applicants request copies of the current materials.

All individuals applying for funding must reside in Florence County.  All organizations must be based in Florence County. 

Examples of funded project include: performances and readings, workshops, services to artists and arts-presenting organizations, exhibitions, artistic and managerial development and public festivals and events.

FRAA will not fund the following: deficits for completed or ongoing projects, tuition for academic study, contingency funds, the purchase of long-term rental equipment, capital improvements, interest on loans, fines, or litigation.

Applications sent by mail must be postmarked on or before September 3rd. 

FRAA’s Grants Program is partially funded by South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from a generous contribution by the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.  Since FRAA’s Grants Program’s inception in 1987, over $250,000 in financial support to individual artists, organizations, teachers, and schools has been awarded.

Becoat, Brooks & Douglas named Darby Scholarship winners for 2012

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, in collaboration with Honda of South Carolina, recently announced the 2012 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship winners.  For the first time in the scholarship program’s history, three recipients were named.   They are: Justin Brooks of South Florence High School, William Douglas of Wilson High School and Ellie Becoat of Hannah-Pamplico High School.

Justin Brooks plans to attend Coastal Carolina University and major in music.  While in high school, Brooks was awarded the Patrick S. Gilmore Award for outstanding contribution to the South Florence High School band.  He was also the captain of the drum line in 2011-12. 

William Douglas plans to attend the University of South Carolina and major in organ performance.  Douglas is no stranger to performance, having served as a pianist and organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Florence.  He also performed as part of St. John’s Epiphany Concert Series this past January.

Ellie Becoat will be attending Francis Marion University in the Fall, where he will major in graphic design.  Becoat was a standout student at Hannah-Pamplico.  In addition to receiving the Darby Scholarship, he was recently awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Award for Visual Art by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. 

With Brooks, Douglas and Becoat receiving this year’s honors, 27 Florence County students have been awarded the prestigious Betty Ann Darby Scholarship since the program was established in 1997.  The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are open to all Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees in the arts or arts education. 

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are named in honor of one of South Carolina's most distinguished music educators.  A member of the South Carolina Music Educator’s Hall of Fame, Ms. Darby served Florence Public School District One for thirty-nine years as a much beloved and highly revered music administrator and music teacher.  Since her retirement in 1987, Ms. Darby has embraced a broad array of volunteer activities in the arts community. 

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting, and promoting the Arts in Florence County.  Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts. 

Fourteen Florence County Seniors honored by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance

Each year since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduating seniors from all over Florence County.  This tradition continued recently with awards being handed out at Lake City High School, West Florence High School, South Florence High School, Timmonsville High School, Johnsonville High School and Hannah-Pamplico High School. 

In all, 15 awards were given to 14 students. Lake City’s Heather Stevenson was the only honoree to receive two Excellence in Arts Education Awards in 2012.  Stevenson took home the honors for both visual arts and drama.    

In addition to Stevenson, the following students received awards:

Visual Art

Tiffany Alexander, Timmonsville

Ellie Becoat, Hannah-Pamplico

Kristine Hayes, South Florence

Candace Moreau, West Florence

Aesha Patel, Johnsonville

Chorus

Jarvis Cooper, Lake City

Jacob Gilliard, West Florence

Niesha Hickman, Timmonsville

Lakeesha Kelley, South Florence

Dance

Deysha Miller, Lake City

Orchestra

Miranda Langston, West Florence

Band

Maliaka Keels, Lake City

Sebastian Samuel, Timmonsville

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts activities.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annaully to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards, Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program or other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

Arts Awards

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance operates an extensive arts awards program.   This program encompasses:  The Excellence in Arts Education Awards, the Baker Award, the Business & Arts Partnership Award, the Frank Crow Award, the Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award and the Outstanding Arts Organization  Award.  Read below for more information about each awards program. 

Excellence in Arts Education Awards

Each year since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduating seniors from all over Florence County. 

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts activities.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annually to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award

The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual from Florence County who has significantly impacted the quality of life in our community through his/her activities, contributions, and/or accomplishments in the arts.  Any individual may be nominated with the exception of current members of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance Board of Directors or Staff.

Business & Arts Partnership Award

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

Outstanding Arts Organization Award

This award is presented annually to the Florence County arts organization that has a tremendous impact on the community.  This may be through programming, projects, resource development, advocacy or other innovation.  No organization may win this award twice in a four year period.

The Frank Crow Award

This award will be presented annually to an FRAA board member, staff member of volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization's growth and success (either over the past year or longer period of time).

The Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award

This award will be presented annually to an educator who either resides or works in Florence County.  Public and private schools educators are eligible for this award, as well as individuals in higher education and those who teach through registered 501(c)(3) arts organizations. 

For more information about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's Awards Program, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

The deadline for 2014 Arts Awards nominations is March 15, 2014.
Award nominations should be submitted by email to peedeearts@gmail.com.
An acceptable nomination will include the following:

Name of Nominee
Name of Nominator
Nominator's Phone Number
Reason for Nomination (approximately one paragraph)

Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program is named in honor of one of South Carolina's most distinguished music educators.  A member of the South Carolina Music Educator’s Hall of Fame, Ms. Darby served Florence Public School District One for thirty-nine years as a much beloved and highly revered music administrator and music teacher.  Since her retirement in 1987, Ms. Darby has embraced a broad array of volunteer activities in the arts community. 

Since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance has awarded 27 Florence County students with the prestigious Betty Ann Darby Scholarship.  

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program awards two $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees in an arts discipline or in arts education.  To be considered, seniors must reside in Florence County or be graduating from a Florence County public or private high school.  

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are merit scholarships awarded predominantly on the basis of demonstrated talent, passion for the arts and intention to pursue a career in an arts discipline or in arts education.  All application materials must be received by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance via the applicant’s high school guidance counselor or other administrative official on or before May 16, 2014.  

A completed Darby Scholarship Program Application consists of the application, essay, transcript, three recommendation letters and support materials.

To receive an application, email Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

Quarterly Grants Program

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance has operated its Quarterly Grants Program since 1987.  During this time, FRAA has awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to arts organizations, artists and teachers.  

FRAA's Quarterly Grants Program has four deadlines annually (see chart below).  For eligibility requirements and other program information, see the Brief Overview and Guidelines listed below.  To receive a copy of the application, email Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com, or click here for the online version.

Qtr.	Deadline	Project Start Dates
1	March 1st	July, August or September
2	June 1st	October, November or December
3	September 1st	January, February or March
4	November 15th	April, May or June

Quarterly Grants Program: Brief Overview & Guidelines

The Quarterly Grants Program for Organizations & Individual Artists is designed to provide support for a wide variety of quality arts projects, as well as for professional development opportunities for artists and arts administrators. 

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must be based in Florence County with a Florence County mailing address and be registered charitable organizations with federal non-profit status.  Individual artists must be practicing artists and have a Florence County mailing address.  Individual artists must be over the age of 18 at the time of application.  Individual artists cannot apply for funding for projects that are related to academic credit. 

Applications from organizations or artists with overdue or incomplete grant reports from previously awarded Quarterly Grants will not be considered for funding.

No entity or individual can receive more than two (2) grants per year (Quarters 1 through 4).  No entity or individual can apply for more than one (1) grant per quarterly deadline.

Projects must begin in the quarter of application, but can extend past the end of the quarter.  Final reports are due within 30 days of the end date of the project or June 30^th, whichever date comes first.

Funding Information

All applicants are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 in funding.  All applicants are required to make a 2:1 match.  No more than 50% of that match can be in-kind. 

Payment of awarded grants is done on a reimbursement basis.  Payments are issued after the acceptance of a final report. 

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application’s status within one week of the Grants Dispersal Committee’s meeting. 

Any applicant that is not satisfied with their grant award is entitled to file an appeal.  Appeals must be made within one week of the funding notification.  The appeal will be heard by the Board of Directors at their next scheduled meeting.  The decision of the Board of Directors is final. 

Questions about FRAA’s Quarterly Grants Program should be directed to Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com or 843.861.8316.  

Last Updated 11/8/13

Board of Directors

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is led by a Board of Directors.  They are:

Keith Best, President
Michele Pridgen, President-Elect
Quincy Kennedy, Immediate Past-President

Josephine Jupiter, Treasurer

Jon Tuttle, Secretary

Brad Parham

Jackie Stasney

Sandy Cook

Jade Perkins

Hilton Cooper

Larry Anderson

Directors are elected for three-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms.  Officers are elected annually.

About Us

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based local arts agency that serves the citizens of Florence County and the Pee Dee.  FRAA is committed to preserving, supporting and promoting a vibrant arts community for Florence County and the surrounding region.  

Our Mission

FRAA's mission is to promote the arts as a catalyst for community cohesiveness, educational advancement and economic growth.

Our Commitment 

FRAA is committed to achieving its mission by:

• providing grants to artists, organizations, teachers, and schools;
• recognizing students, individuals, and businesses through awards and scholarships;
• offering community programming that showcases the performing, visual, and literary; 
• serving as an advocate for the arts to business, civic, and government leaders. 

All initiatives of The Arts Alliance are based on an organizational core value that recognizes the arts as fundamental to quality of life, education, and economic development in today's knowledge-based economy.

Diversity & Inclusion

FRAA is committed to nurturing a diverse arts community through inclusive programming, events and projects.  To that end, FRAA will strive to be an organization that engages people from all genders, sexual orientations, ages and physical abilities, as well as individuals with diverse cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Advocacy

FRAA will increase public awareness of the arts and arts education through constant communication of news, programs and events to the general public, as well as to state, county and local leaders. 

Bruce Douglas is the Executive Director of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance.  Contact him by email at peedeearts@gmail.com or by phone at 843.861.8316.

Click here for a list of the FRAA Board of Directors.

FRAA has been recognized as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service and the State of South Carolina since its establishment on July 20, 1984.