News

The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation received a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to create a professional development program for arts teachers in Florence and surrounding areas. This funding will enrich arts education for students by providing teachers with additional training and supportive resources developed by the Governor’s School. 

“We are very excited about this new program and the impact we believe it will have in classrooms throughout the area,” said Dr. Cedric Adderley, Governor’s School president. “Research shows that students in arts-rich schools are more engaged in the classroom and more hopeful about their future. We want every student in South Carolina to experience meaningful arts programming, and we’re grateful that our partnership with Duke Energy allows us to develop initiatives for that purpose.”

Findings from a 2018 Gallup Student Poll in South Carolina, implemented in partnership by the SC Arts Commission and Palmetto State Arts Education, showed that students in arts-rich schools were 54 percent more engaged and 46 percent more hopeful than students who do not attend arts-rich schools. National survey participants believed that engagement and hope are two measures that are critical elements for effective schools.

“Arts and culture are a window to the world, and teachers often are the first to open those windows for young minds,” said Mindy Taylor, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “The arts also have a powerful influence on our communities. This is why Duke Energy invests in outreach programs like those provided by the Governor’s School that provide access to and encourage an appreciation of the arts.”

“We are so grateful for Duke Energy Foundation's continued investment in young people,” said Rochelle Williams, executive director of the Governor’s School Foundation. “This generous donation allows us to further the Governor's School's outreach mission of providing high-quality arts training for public school teachers. This will have a far-reaching impact by improving students' access to enriching arts education.”

The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities provides arts-based outreach programs to students, teachers, and schools in South Carolina. Last year, over 19,500 individuals from 29 counties participated in 158 outreach experiences. Duke Energy and the Governor’s School have worked together to serve the Pee Dee region through various arts-based programs for the past seven years.