South Carolina’s Arts In Basic Curriculum Project : A History 1987-2007

The Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project is a multifaceted initiative that has positively impacted arts education in South Carolina and the nation. Founded in 1987 the ABC Project has become a national model and influenced the advancement of education in and through the arts with a multitude of programs, models, and schemes. This is an overview of the full history. Parts I and II will chronicle events that were foundational to the project from inception in 1987 to the celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2007. Part III gives detailed descriptions of ten of the most important facets of the project.

The Arts in Basic Curriculum Project : Looking at the Past and Preparing for the Future

The primary findings of this evaluation are (1) that the ABC Project has built and supported a strong network that measurably strengthens arts education, and (2) for the reform to continue, there must be new initiatives. The Project has made a significant first step toward providing quality opportunities for all children in South Carolina, but the gap between the current state of arts education and the stated goal of the Project is very wide. Therefore, these new initiatives must be bold, innovative, strongly funded, and backed with the energies and passions of those in the core arts education network. The basic recommendation that subsumes all the specific recommendations in this report is to develop a data-informed strategic plan for arts education, then determine funding priorities based on this plan.

Arts in Basic Curriculum : 20-Year Anniversary Evaluation

The Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project has ensured students throughout South Carolina have a quality, comprehensive arts education for 20 years. Through funding, research, advocacy and training and technical assistance, the Project has been a model for a number of advancements in arts education. The statewide focus, the creation of arts education standards and curriculum, the success of its advocacy and its inroads on arts education assessment and integration mark the ABC Project as a significant leader in the field of arts education. At its 20th anniversary, the ABC Project engaged an independent evaluator to explore the Project’s impact at this stage of its history. This report captures the findings of this 20-year evaluation.