South Carolina Teacher Honored at 2025 National History Day Competition
South Carolina Humanities is pleased to share that BJ DeCerbo of Palmetto Academy in Myrtle Beach has won the National History Day 2025 Teacher of the Year Award. Hundreds of teachers from across the United States were nominated for the award. The National History Day staff selected one middle school teacher and one high school […]
Mellon Foundation Commits $15 Million in Emergency Funding to Stabilize Humanities Councils Following Devastating Federal Funding Cuts
Donate Now to Match And Double Your Impact! This week, the Mellon Foundation announced a $15 million emergency funding commitment to the Federation of State Humanities Councils (the Federation) in response to federal funding cuts that have devastated state humanities councils. This emergency funding will help provide support to all 56 state and jurisdictional humanities […]
SC Humanities Launches Print-On-Demand Shop to Support the Humanities
South Carolina Humanities is excited to announce the launch of a new print-on-demand online shop, offering apparel, stickers, mugs, magnets, and more—all designed to celebrate and promote the power of the humanities. This creative initiative gives supporters across the state and beyond a fresh way to express their passion for history, literature, culture, and civic […]
“Resilience and Revolution” Exhibit in Aiken
The exhibition “Resilience and Revolution: Native Peoples in 18th Century South Carolina” will be on display at the Aiken County Historical Museum from June 6 – August 31, 2025. “Resilience and Revolution” is a traveling exhibition created for the Traveling Exhibition Program of the South Carolina State Museum through a partnership led by South Carolina Humanities, […]
Film “Hope of Escape” Nominated for an Emmy
The film Hope of Escape was nominated for an Emmy Award. The 67th Emmy Awards will occur on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Hope of Escape is a feature length historical drama that follows the true story of Diana Williams, her daughter Cornelia, and her daughter’s sweetheart, Wilby, as they plan their own emancipation from slavery. SC Humanities supported […]
Share Your Story! Help SC Humanities
SC Humanities thrives because of the stories, connections, and meaningful impacts we create together across South Carolina. We’re inviting you—our valued grantees, donors, community partners, and stakeholders—to share your experiences of how SC Humanities has touched your organization, your life, or your community. Help us share the importance of the humanities in South Carolina and […]
Voices of St. Helena Island Schools
The University of South Carolina Beaufort is working with St. Helena Elementary School on an oral history project that will capture the stories of sixteen alumni of the school. The oral histories will be used to create a podcast series that will look at the evolution of St. Helena Island Schools from their beginning through […]
Books By the River – Show and Podcast
“Books By the River” is a nationally-distributed, interview-style show featuring notable South Carolina authors and stories. A new season of 30-minute shows will launch in May 2025, and a podcast based on the show is in development. The podcast will include audio snippets from the shows, as well as literary scholars engaging in discussions about […]
Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month Programming in Columbia
The Filipino American Association of Greater Columbia will present several program opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month in Columbia. The Nickelodeon Theater will screen the documentary “A Long March” about the Filipino American veterans of WWII on May 13, and the exhibit Faces to Remember will be installed at Richland Library Main, opening […]
Georgetown County Museum Summer Speaker Series
The Georgetown County Museum will present their “First Tuesdays Summer Speaker Series” from May 6 – September 2, 2025. Confirmed speakers include Margaret Seidler, Bill Davies, Walter Hill, Elizabeth Chew, and Yancey Green. The programs are free and open to the public. SC Humanities supported this program series with a Mini Grant. The goal of […]
SC Humanities Announces its 2025 Student Scholarship Recipients
In 2025, South Carolina Humanities awarded scholarships to one undergraduate student and one graduate student who have declared a major or are enrolled in an advanced degree program in the humanities. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors of SC Humanities chose Armani Canty, who is pursuing a BA in English at Lander University, and Zachary Lemhouse, who is […]
2025 Muzika Festival
Varna International Music Academy will present the 2025 Muzika Festival in June, with events around the state, including in Richland, Lexington, Greenville, Sumter, and Horry counties. Events will include lectures, a symposia, masterclasses, and performances. SC Humanities supported this series of programs with a Mini Grant. The Muzika Festival is an annual event that brings together […]
Brookgreen Inspires – Anna Hyatt Huntington’s Influence
Brookgreen Gardens will host a series of programs to investigate the legacy and influence of Anna Hyatt Huntington, prominent early-twentieth-century sculptor and founder of Brookgreen Gardens. The series will launch with the Anna Hyatt Huntington Awards Luncheon on March 27, 2025, featuring keynote speaker Thayer Tolles. The exhibition “Brookgreen Inspires – Women Create” will open […]
Living Legacies: A Juneteenth Commemoration
Magnolia Plantation will host a three-day Juneteenth event from June 19 – 21, 2025. There will be two free evening events and a family-friendly living history event with actors in period attire giving demonstrations, storytellers, and performances on Saturday, June 21. SC Humanities supported this program with a Major Grant. “Living Legacies: A Juneteenth Commemoration” […]
Soda City Poetry Festival
The 2025 Soda City Poetry Festival will take place on June 27 – 28 at Richland Library in downtown Columbia and will have the theme “One River, One Boat: Celebrating South Carolina Poets.” Former SC Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth will be the keynote speaker; other events will include regional poetry panels, poetic conversations, writing workshops, […]
One Word Poetry Festival in Rock Hill
The 5th annual “One Word Poetry Festival” will take place on May 29-June 1, 2025. The event will include poetry workshops for various ages and backgrounds, readings, a poetry slam, and open mics. SC Humanities supported the festival with a Fast Track Literary Grant. The goal of the One Word Poetry Festival is to expose the […]
From Roots to Plates: Celebrating Juneteenth with Nutritious Food
Mattoon Presbyterian Church in Greenville will host a Juneteenth event on Thursday, June 19, 2025 that will include musical performances, arts, food, activities for children, speakers, and community discussion. SC Humanities supported this event with a Mini Grant. “From Roots to Plates: Celebrating Juneteenth with Nutritious Food” will feature a keynote lecture from Dr. Marlon […]
2nd Annual Lancaster County Literary Arts Festival
The Lancaster County Council of the Arts will present the 2nd Annual Lancaster County Literary Arts Festival on April 26 – 27, 2025. The programming will include a community read featuring South Carolina author Kasie Whitener, as well as other free and engaging activities. SC Humanities supported this program with a Fast Track Literary Grant. The […]
Drawn to the Library: A Special Evening with Erin Entrada Kelly
The Florence County Library will welcome two-time Newbery Medal-winning author and illustrator Erin Entrada Kelly for a special event at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in celebration of National Library Week. Kelly will speak on the theme “Drawn to the Library,” spotlighting the magic of books and the joy of reading. SC Humanities helped support […]
Now Accepting Board of Directors Nominations
South Carolina Humanities is accepting nominations to become a member of our Board of Directors. New members will begin three-year terms in November 2025. Board members initiate and develop projects, seek to make the humanities accessible statewide, and take active roles in fundraising. Nominations are due by Sunday, June 15, 2025. Established in 1971, SC Humanities has a […]
2025 Call for Nominations for the Annual South Carolina Awards in the Humanities
South Carolina Humanities is pleased to announce that nominations for the Governor’s Awards in the Humanities and the Akers Prize are now being accepted through Sunday, June 15, 2025. Established in 1991, the Governor’s Awards celebrate the Palmetto State’s humanities academics and advocates. The Akers Prize, formerly the Fresh Voices in the Humanities Award, recognizes innovative […]
Fourteen New Speakers Added to the Speakers Bureau: Humanities Out Loud Roster
SC Humanities is pleased to announce that thirteen new speakers will join the Speakers Bureau: Humanities Out Loud program in 2025. Offering a variety of interesting programs from “Black Folktales from Africa to South Carolina” to “College Football History in South Carolina” to “Praying, Singing and Catching Sense: Praise House Traditions in Gullah Geechee Communities,” […]
Writing the Family Workshops in Georgetown County
The Georgetown County Library will present a series of 5 writing workshops around Georgetown County in May 2025 led by the newly-named Georgetown County Library Poet Laureate, Marlanda Dekine. The “Writing the Family” workshop will be offered at each of the five different library branches in the county. The workshops will include a presentation and […]
Charleston Southern University Visiting Writers Series
Charleston Southern University hosts an annual Visiting Writers Series. For 2024-2025, they plan to host fiction writer Meagan Lucas in November and emerging poets Grace Claire Przywara and Phil Canipe in April. The free series is open to students and the community. SC Humanities supported this program with a Fast Track Literary Grant. The November program […]
2025 South Carolina Creative Sociology Writing Competition
Coastal Carolina University is sponsoring the second annual “Creative Sociology Writing Competition” which invites submissions of poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction that align with the theme “Family Matters.” This contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students from any academic discipline enrolled in a South Carolina college or university who want to use creative writing as a tool […]
Smithsonian Exhibit “Spark: Places of Innovation” Opens in Belton
The traveling Smithsonian exhibit Spark! Places of Innovation will open in Belton at the Belton Area Museum Association on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The exhibition explores the unique combination of places, people, and circumstances that sparks innovation and invention in rural communities. The exhibit will be in Belton through April 12, 2025, and it is the last stop […]
Revolutionary War Day
The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum will commemorate the state’s historic role in the Revolutionary War with the annual Revolutionary War Day event on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The event is intended for visitors of all ages. SC Humanities supported this project with a Mini Grant. […]
SC Humanities Awards $108,000 in Major Grants
The South Carolina Humanities Board of Directors awarded more than $108,000 in Major Grants to 11 cultural organizations after a February 21, 2025 Board Meeting in Georgetown. The awards were selected through a competitive application and review process and are made possible by SC Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Matching community support for the […]
Read Freely Fest
Richland Library will present a free, three-day book festival on March 28 – 30, 2025. The Read Freely Fest will feature 50 authors and presenters, vendors, activities for youth, and other entertainment. Headliners include Mike Curato, DéLana Dameron, Patti Callahan Henry, Abbott Kahler, and Brendan Slocumb. SC Humanities supported this program with a Major Grant. […]
Akers Announces Retirement
After 37 years of service, Executive Director Randy Akers has announced his retirement from South Carolina Humanities effective June 30, 2025. Statewide Impact As the longest-serving executive director of a state humanities organization, Akers has been a tireless advocate for the humanities in our state and nation. Through his leadership, SC Humanities has offered countless […]