2013 Arts Awards Video

Check out this video (below) showcasing the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's 2013 Arts Awards recipients:

Congratulations to the winners!

Through September 3rd: FRAA accepting Quarterly Grant Applications

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is currently accepting quarterly grant applications from artists, organizations, schools, and teachers for arts projects scheduled to begin January through March 2014. 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.  If mailed, applications must be postmarked on or before September 3rd.

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.

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. Additional funding is provided by Honda 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.

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.

FRAA announces its 2013 Arts Awards Recipients

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently announced its 2013 Arts Awards recipients. Among the winners were two local arts leaders, one arts organization and a global corporation. “We’re very fortunate in Florence County to have more worthy candidates than awards to give away,” said Quincy Kennedy, President of FRAA. “We feel like our Board did a great job in narrowing down the nominations we received from the community; it’s not an easy task though,” Kennedy remarked.

Jane Madden, the engine behind the Art Trail Gallery’s quick and continued success, received the John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award. Madden’s efforts over the last five years have been a major factor in the “people side” of Florence’s downtown revitalization. “As improvements are continuously being made downtown, Jane is one of the main people promoting events and encouraging folks to visit our revitalized downtown,” said Kennedy.

The Florence Little Theatre received the Outstanding Arts Organization Award from FRAA. “Most people are aware of the great shows FLT produces. Not everyone is aware of the outstanding programming they put on for young people and for lifelong learners through their Senior Readers Group. The impact FLT has on Florence County is truly amazing,” said Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of FRAA.

The Business & Arts Partnership Award recipient for 2013 is Honda of South Carolina. Honda, which operates out of Timmonsville, supports several community-based programs, projects and events, both arts and non-arts-related. “Honda’s continuous support of the arts, and the Arts Alliance, is why they are receiving this award,” said Kennedy. Honda partners with FRAA to present the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to Florence County’s public high schools. Honda also funds FRAA’s quarterly grants program, which disburses money to organizations, artists and teachers throughout Florence County.

The inaugural Frank Crow Service Award winner is Bill Kress. Kress, a long-time Florence Regional Arts Alliance board member, staff member and volunteer, worked with Frank Crow and was honored to receive the award. “This award means alot to me because it has Frank’s name on it,” said Kress. Crow served as FRAA’s director from 2003-2012 before medical issues forced him into retirement. The Crow Award will be presented annually to an FRAA board member, staff member or volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization.


In 2014, FRAA will add a fifth award to its lineup. The Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award will be presented in May of next year. More information about the award will be announced soon.

To honor the winners, FRAA produced a series of videos. Visit floscarts.org or http://vimeo.com/channels/peedeearts to view the videos.

For more information about these awards or any other Florence Regional Arts Alliance program, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.