Arts Access South Carolina
c/o CMFA
914 Pulaski Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Art by Jacolby Satterwhite
For 40 years, Arts Access SC has championed the power of the arts to connect, uplift, and inspire. Building on its legacy as VSAarts of South Carolina, the organization creates meaningful opportunities for artists of all abilities to thrive through residencies, partnerships, and community engagement across the state.
Thank You to Our Granters
The Genesis Inspiration Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting arts and culture initiatives by providing grants, resources, and opportunities that expand access to creative expression for underserved communities.
The South Carolina Department of Education serves students, supports teachers, empowers parents, and engages the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential—fostering innovation, resilience, and opportunity for every learner.
Our Partners
About Us
ARTS ACCESS SC (formerly VSA South Carolina) is a nonprofit organization that provides children, youth, and adults with disabilities quality arts experiences.
ARTS ACCESS SC works to promote quality and accessible art experiences for people with all types of disabilities throughout the state of South Carolina. The organization works with South Carolina artists, educators, arts administrators, health/human and social service professionals to establish inclusive spaces, programs and communities dedicated to the arts and people with disabilities.
Our programs are designed for people with disabilities and foster the attitude that people with disabilities should pursue the arts as a career or recreational pursuit.
AASC Board Members
Mr. LaMondre Pough (Richland County)
Carolyn D. Johnson (Richland County)
ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA
c/o Columbia Music Festival Association
914 Pulaski Street
Columbia, SC 29201
See Our Motivational Monday Statements for Creatives
Arts & Education
ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA is dedicated to inspiring state-wide students with disabilities through all aspects of the arts (music, dance, theater, painting and more).
Our talented and passionate educators (teaching artists) generously share their knowledge and wisdom with South Carolina students of all ages... empowering them to find their own inner artist... often times leading to lifelong love of the arts and successful careers.
Summer Arts & Crafts Workshops at CMFA
Bring Your Own Buddy (BYOB)
July 27-July 31 (Ages 6-12) Time 10 - NOON
August 3-7 (Ages 13-21) Time 10 - NOON
Cost $100 for week
(ONE Buddy can attend for FREE)
Our Teaching Artists
Clarence Carter Boucher Clarence is a visually impaired artist, writer, and musician, As a Master Teaching Artist he is actively involved in inclusive art programs for individuals with disabilities through Arts Access South Carolina. He has received recognition from the South Carolina Arts Commission for excellence in Mobile Arts residencies and has been featured in various publications, newspapers, and television programs. Mr. Boucher is also a published children's book author and a recipient of the International Golden Poet Award.
Dennis James Breedlove A former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company Member, University of the Arts’ School of Dance, and graduate of Miami-Dade College, Mr. Breedlove has worked with students of all ages as a Teacher and Performing Arts Consultant. Working and living in Florence South Carolina, he is honored to bring his talents to Arts Access South Carolina's students.
Arianne King Comer Arianne is a BFA graduate of Howard University and her work was showcased at the Smithsonian African American Museum in Washington DC. An Artist in Residence on the Old Navy Base in North Charleston, SC since 2006, Arianne received the UN/USIS grant to study under the renowned Batik artist Nike Olyani Davis in Oshogbo Nigeria, where her passion for indigo manifested. In 2007, she had the opportunity to join The Charleston Rhizome Collective to conduct a textile workshop in batik and indigo at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. Arianne is an art consultant, lecturer, teacher, and textile artist.
Anita Dantzler Ms. Dantzler is a Consultant to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission's Community Relations Outreach team and is proud to be working with ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA.
Bhakti Larry Hough An accomplished and versatile cultural, creative and mass media artist with extensive experience in the creation, development, management and execution of communications, mass media, and artistic performance endeavors, projects and entities. As a performing artist, Bhakti Larry Hough is a contemporary jazz and gospel singer/songwriter, band/choir leader, recording artist, and published poet. Mr. Hough is currently president and artist-in-residence at NewWorld Arts, program director at WLGI-FM (Radio Baha'i) in Hemingway, SC.
Janice Johnson Ms. Johnson is an Art Educator with Richland School District One, where she brings her passion for visual arts to students across grade levels, K–12. With [X years] of classroom experience, Janice holds [a degree in Art Education / relevant certification] and is dedicated to fostering creativity, technical skill, and self-expression in every student she teaches. Her curriculum spans drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media, designed to meet young artists wherever they are in their development. Janice is committed to making art education accessible and engaging, helping students build confidence both in the studio and beyond.
Eboni Ramm - PASSED 8/24 She will Always Be Remembered. Ms. Ramm was a nationally renown musician connected to her national (USA) tour entitled Jazz: A Spiritual Journey – consisting of straight-ahead jazz, education, and a jazz poetry workshop.
Dr. Angelina Peggy Hunt Richter Dr. Richter has danced professionally all over the world, directed the graduate program in dance education at the University of Hawaii, the dance certification program at Radford University in Virginia and was on the dance faculty at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and is the artistic director of both Dancing Earth and the UNCG Dance Touring Company (1987-92) that performed for 200,000 children.
Willie Shaw Will Shaw has over 30 years of experience performing as a professional mime-artist and is affiliated with several entertainment agencies and arts organizations throughout the southeast. Mr. Shaw is very pleased to bring his unique talents and artistry to ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA.
Keith Tolen Mr. Tolen has worked as an art teacher over 25 years at Camden Middle School, working in drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and more. He is very pleased to be associated with ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA.
Thomas Ryan Ward Ryan has been a theatrically focused arts educator for over 20 years, working throughout all of North and Central America. Mr. Ward is honored to have worked with ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA on a variety of projects with students of all ages... creating original plays, musicals, poetry, and children's books.
Zaharah Zaharah Ms. Zaharah Zaharah has conceived of stunning and elaborate designs – from everyday wear to stage creations. She is very honored to be working with ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA.
C.O.T.T.A.G.E. Industries
A truly unique and noteworthy creation of ARTS ACCESS SC is our C.O.T.T.A.G.E. Industries℠ concept... a highly important way for individuals with disabilities to turn the various skills they acquire through our projects into sustainable career opportunities. Several success stories have been achieved throughout our 20 plus years... with more certain to come.
Check back for our latest positive stories!
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Project R.E.A.L.
Project R.E.A.L.℠ is a creative, career-exploration collaborative targeting students with disabilities led by ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA. Executive Director, Julia M. Brown-DuBose, works to bring established regional artists into schools for short-term residencies – during which students, with intellectual and developmental disabilities, experience creative careers. Successful residencies have allowed students with disabilities to explore traditional, coastal-basket weaving, visual arts, theater arts, musical arts, and others.
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ARTS ACCESS SC
Our teaching artists can also aid school and communities to create all-original films - as we did here
at Hilton Head Island High School
March 1-25, 2022