Florence Regional Arts Alliance Seeks Nominations for Art Awards

 The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is currently seeking nominations from the community to recognize the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of the community. Nominations are requested from individuals and will be awarded by the Florence Regional Arts Alliances Board of Directors.  The submission deadline is March 31.

To submit a nomination, community members are asked to either complete an online form  here. or to compose and mail a statement to the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Written statements should indicate who is being nominated, for which award and a few statements describing why the nomination is being made. Those submitting nominations should provide their name and contact information as well, should their nomination be selected to receive an award. Nomination letters should be addressed to: The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, PO Box 3871 ,Florence, SC 29502-3871

Nominations from Florence County are requested from the public for the following categories: 

The John Baker Award Recipient

The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual from Florence County who has significantly impacted the quality of life in our community through his/her activities, contributions, and/or accomplishments in the arts.

The Business & Partnership Award Recipient

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient

This award is presented annually to the Florence County arts organization that has a tremendous impact on the community. This may be through programming, projects, resource development, advocacy or other innovation. No organization may win this award twice in a four year period.

The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient


This award is presented annually to an educator who either resides or works in Florence County. Public and private schools educators are eligible for this award, as well as individuals in higher education and those who teach through registered 501(c)(3) arts organizations.

The awards presented will themselves be works of art by a local artist. The Arts Alliance’s Awards Committee is pleased to announce its Arts Awards Artist for 2015 is Mr. Jim Gleason. His sculptures are fabricated from the parts of many different musical instruments. Several of these instruments served many years in the South Carolina school system until they were no longer cost effective to service. “The urge to create combines with a reverence for musical instruments, and the desire to preserve whatever life remains in the parts and pieces of an instrument,” says Gleason in his artist statement. His work may be seen at http://jngleason.com. 

Awards will be presented at a special awards event in late spring. For more information about the FRAA’s Awards Program visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or contact Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at director@florenceartsalliance.org or 843.407-3092.