Edwards gives update on SCAC programs and new center

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The new Shelby County Arts Center at Old Mill Square was the topic of Thursday’s Shelby County Chamber’s Connections Luncheon.

Bruce Andrews, executive director of the Shelby County Arts Council since October 2013, spoke to the audience about various programs offered by the Arts Council, and gave a virtual tour of the SCAC Old Mill Square project, which is expected to open in August.

Andrews shared that the SCAC believes that infusion of arts and cultural opportunities into a community can raise its value at every level. He provided statistics that the arts contribute $763.6 billion to the U.S. economy yearly, more than agriculture, transportation or warehousing.

Tax-exempt performing arts organizations, those producing art and presenting the art of others, such as the SCAC, contributed $9 billion to the U.S. economy and employed 90,000 workers who earned $5.6 billion in total compensation.

He spoke of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery and the American Village in Montevallo and how they have impacted their communities, and said that the new SCAC could do the same for Columbiana.

“I sincerely believe that this arts center can be a central Alabama destination,” Andrews said.

Andrews discussed the differences in earned income, such as ticketed events, fee paid classes and workshops and unearned income, which includes grants, foundation and donations.

Since 2009, the SCAC has successfully written $1,046,000 in grants for outreach with a staff of two people. He has written about $500,000 during his five years there.

Andrews highlighted the three flagship programs of the SCAC, things that the public may not be aware that they do:

  • Art Abilities: Since 2008, the SCAC has taught weekly art and music classes in over 20 Shelby County public schools. This supplemental art therapy program for special needs students is administered, managed and funded through the SCAC, and offered at no cost to the school or student.
  • Writing our Stories: Since 2009, this program is a 10-week creative writing program developed by the Alabama Writers Forum and the Alabama Department of Youth Services. It brings in teaching poets and culminates each student’s work with a bound and printed anthology of the students work, making them published authors.
  • At Risk Art and Music Therapy: Taught by SCAC artists at the Shelby County juvenile detention center in Columbiana and at the day program in Alabaster and strives to uncover the hidden artist and provide youth with a positive outlet for expression.

He said the new arts center project has been a collaboration between the County Commission, Arts Council and the city of Columbiana.

“You’re never working alone in Shelby County,” Andrews said. “Collaboration is hard, constant work that takes a lot of people on same page.”

The new facility will feature a 500-seat multi-purpose venue, Black Box Performance Theater, foundry and metal arts studio, pottery and sculpture studio with expanded kiln room, visual arts teaching studio, music performance and practice suites, the EBSCO Fine Art Gallery, an art creation courtyard and an outdoor stage and amphitheater featuring four acres of greenspace and a public park.

Columnist, novelist and radio show host Sean Deitrich — also known as Sean of the South — is known for his commentary on life in the American South, and will be the first show at the new center on August 17.

For more information, visit shelbycountyartscouncil.com.