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For a city of its size,
Columbia has incredible, affordable arts. Tickets to ballet, orchestral
and theater performances are moderately priced. The Cultural
Council,
the "official arts council for the Midlands," serves as an
incubator for such organizations as Columbia World Affairs Council,
Columbia Design League and the new children's museum, EdVenture.
Over 85 member arts organizations fall under the Cultural Council's
umbrella which includes professional theater, ballet and orchestra. The
Columbia Marionette Theatre, a member of the Cultural Council, is one of
the 10 marionette theaters in the United States. Another member, Riverbanks
Zoo, is ranked top 10 in the country. In addition, Columbia is home
to the oldest continually operating theater in America, Town Theatre.
Diversity is the key to Columbia's economy. The University of South
Carolina, Benedict College, Columbia College and other technical
colleges are home to thousands of Students; yet Columbia is not a
college town. Fort Jackson is located in Columbia, yet Columbia is not a
military town. Columbia has a sizable retirement community, yet Columbia
is not a retirement city. Columbia's economy benefits from a varied
commercial-industrial base.
The Cultural Council encourages participation and increases awareness of
the arts throughout our diverse and rapidly growing community by
publishing an Arts Monthly Calendar in The State newspaper, providing an
informative web page with the calendar of events and involving children
in the arts with Artist in Residency programs. The Council is also
increasing awareness by introducing the arts into the business world
with programs such as Art in Business and Workplace Giving. The arts are
now visible and accessible to all people with the Cultural Council's
Sculpture in Public Places and Street Gallery.
With a Population of nearly a half million, Columbia is fortunate to
have a myriad of arts to choose from on any given weekend of the year -
a play at any of the seven theaters, a free concert in Finlay Park, the
nationally acclaimed Columbia City Ballet, a gallery opening in the
Congaree Vista, the professional South Carolina Philharmonic or a visit
to the new Columbia Museum of Art.
Columbia has incredible performing arts, as well as visual arts. The
Cultural Council believes "the arts are happening NOW!" For
more information about the arts and cultural events, call the Cultural
Council at 799-3115, or visit their web page at http://www.getcultured.org/.
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