Connecting Our Community to Vibrant Social Offerings Where can people in our community meet
opportunities. These
each other? What offerings are available that
projects span throughout
allow residents to enjoy the community?
the entire year and allow
Is there a vibrant nightlife, good places
Midlands residents
to meet people and do residents care for
to experience our
one another? These are the questions our
community in a
Connected Communities grant recipients in
new way.
the “Vibrant Social Offerings” focus area are
Sometimes these projects
working to address. The Foundation’s new Connected Communities grant initiative is funding nine projects across the Midlands that knit the community together, drawing people to our community and encouraging existing residents of the Midlands to stay here. These projects all relate to three focus areas identified by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Gallup as the most important elements for an attractive community, including vibrant social offerings.
This year, three recipients of the grants are working in the vibrant social offerings area and are supporting the availability of community events and arts and cultural
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are focused on bringing opportunities to where the community already spends time, instead of having the community come to them. One such opportunity is the South Carolina Philharmonic’s
the sc philharmonic’s “conduct the phil” concert allows everyone to step onto the podium. photo credit randy jones, carolina photographics
flashmob-inspired concert
expect to hear classical music, such as the
series, “Conduct the Phil,” where anyone
Irmo Okra Strut, Orangeburg’s Festival of
passing by can have a chance to step onto the
Roses, SC State Fair and more. Jason Rapp,
podium and conduct a professional orchestra.
SC Philharmonic’s Communications Director,
“’Conduct the Phil’ is a fun way for people
comments, “The Connected Communities
of all ages and backgrounds to experience
grant from the Foundation allowed us
what I am fortunate to experience every time I
to remove the cost barrier and meet the
step in front of an ensemble,” states Morihiko
community where they already are. People
Nakahara, the Philharmonic’s Music
will be able to participate in live music
Director. “If you are adventurous, feel free
together - at events they have been going to
to experiment - make the orchestra go faster,
for years.”
slower, louder, etc.” “Conduct the Phil” will bring professional
The vibrant social offering projects also allow people to engage in the arts in a new way. continued on page 4
music to places where people do not normally
we are a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the
president’s letter | 2 knight foundation grant | 2
midlands by distributing grants
news brief | 2
and scholarships and linking the
scholarship funds | 3
resources of donors, nonprofits
helping students soar | 4
and community leaders to areas of need.
new fundholder reception | 5 ron lieber visit | 6 events | 6