York County Arts

Our Story

Founded in 1977, the Arts Council of York County strives to serve York County and the surrounding area.

The mission is to provide leadership in arts education and development, arts marketing and arts advocacy. The vision is to create and support a thriving, diverse and vibrant arts community in York County.

Centrally located in historic downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina, the Arts Council has established an arts anchor on two (soon to be three) blocks of Main Street. The Center for the Arts, housed in two 100-year-old buildings, is currently home to the Arts Council offices, classroom space, private artist studios and three gallery spaces.

The Gettys Art Center, also one of Rock Hill’s historic buildings, is home to Gallery Up retail store, gallery and custom frame shop; Grace with Fire pottery studio, the Rock Hill Pottery Center, LaValla Maddox graphic design, Nice Outfit web design, SC Arts Alliance headquarters and more private artist studios.

The newest addition to the Arts Council family and the York County arts scene is the new Community Performance Center. Set to be fully operational by September 2009, the center will accommodate over 150 seats when set as an auditorium and will host a variety of music, theater and dance performances throughout the year. The lower level will serve as the new home of the York County Ballet.

Planning a wedding, business meeting or other special occasion? All of the Arts Council spaces are available to rent for your upcoming event.

As a United Arts Fund (UAF) organization, the Arts Council provides an efficient, united approach to support arts & culture in York County. A singe, tax-deductible donation to the Arts Council UAF supports arts education, music, theater, dance, literary arts and visual arts and assists major arts organizations with daily operating funds. $120,000 is awarded annually.

The Arts Council is one of six member teams in South Carolina participating in the a Kennedy Center Partner in Education program with Rock Hill Schools. Through this partnership, the Arts Council has placed artists in residence in public and private schools, provided professional development for teachers, as well as a wide variety of educational arts performances to York County students. The Arts Council also serves the community through diverse arts programming throughout the year and the small grants program with
awards made quarterly.

The Arts Council is committed to building York County as an arts destination. Visit our membership page or contact us at (803)328-2787 to find out how you
can get involved.