CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – The Hispanic Alliance is working to provide resources to the growing Hispanic and Latino communities across the state.
Allied4Art is just one resource opportunity within the organization’s larger Allied4SC series. The Allied4SC series identifies community barriers to accessing resources by connecting people with other organizations and institutions in the health, cultural and workforce sectors.
The nonprofit program Allied4Art is working with the South Carolina Art Commission to identify barriers facing arts creators. The commission awarded the organization $25,000 to produce an assessment report to identify the challenges artists face.
The nonprofit is bringing the art resource series to the Gibbes Museum of Art in downtown Charleston on Thursday. Community artists and art institutions are gathering to discuss the report’s findings. The goal is to create a more inclusive arts community across the state.
The group has partnered with Palmetto Luna Arts, an arts organization that serves 179 Latino artists across the state, including 26 in the Lowcountry.
Representatives of Palmetto Luna Arts say Hispanic and Latino communities face misrepresentation in the mainstream arts and culture scene. These issues create a disconnect between communities and art institutions.
Andrew Skinner, director of outreach and development for the Hispanic Alliance, says the program brings artists and organizations together to ask the big questions about access, visibility and professional development.
“What can we do as a community to overcome the language barrier and make Hispanic artists more visible through events or festivals,” Skinner says. “How can we build mentoring connections or get representation on the boards of some of these arts organizations?”
The report finds that Hispanic and Latino artists face a lack of financial opportunities, a lack of bilingual representation and greater language barriers.
“We saw that language access for the Hispanic community needs improvement,” says Skinner. “21% of artists prefer to speak exclusively in Spanish. To turn this around, what are arts organizations doing to provide information and resources in Spanish?”
The Hispanic Alliance partners with the Student Dreamers Alliance on a mentoring program. Located at RB Stall High School in North Charleston, the program seeks mentors for Hispanic middle and high school students. The leaders are open to mentors from all backgrounds.
For more information about becoming a mentor, please visit: HereIf you are interested in supporting the non-profit organization, you can find further information Here.
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