Enhancing the Cultural Landscape

The Renaissance Foundation provides cultural diversity, outreach, resources, partnerships and initiatives within the community in order to bridge the gaps of disparities and provide a platform to address those issues.

Our mission is far from over.  Please help us with your donation.

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A NEW GENERATION...“PRESERVING GOSPEL HERITAGE”

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011

Gospel ICON, Dr. Bobby Jones, host of The Longest Running Show on Cable TV, The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, will present the Gospel Heritage Legacy Award at the Renaissance Foundation’s Gospel Heritage Festival. The purpose of the Gospel Heritage Festival is to showcase the talent of our college and high school gospel choirs and honor our gospel pioneers who continue to preserve the rich legacy of excellence in gospel music. The Gospel Festival will be held at Bethel AME Church, 819 Woodrow St. at 8:00 pm. The theme for this event is “Preserving Gospel Heritage”.

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The Renaissance Cultural Arts Center

Benefits To The Community

Preserves a historical landmark designed by John Anderson Lankford in 1921, the first registered African-American architect in the United States and historic Bethel is listed on the National Heritage Register. Provide tourists with a one-stop-shop to the arts and an opportunity to visit a historical museum and heritage tour site.

Provides a state-of-the-art 500 to 600-seat performing arts venue, to fill the number one need identified by the 2003 Columbia Arts Task Force.  

Once completed, it has been estimated to generate revenue in excess of $15,000,000 annually to local economy and create 57 jobs consisting of a mix of construction and building operation.

Promotes diversity in the arts to attract residents, businesses as well as visitors previously absent from the cultural landscape in downtown Columbia.


Centrally located in one of the state’s eight tourist destinations it will provide unique meeting space, attract world class plays, renowned visual artists and provide a creative haven for exhibits.

 

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Be A Part of Enhancing the Cultural Landscape

The Sign Has Been Removed
One more step was achieved in the transformation of Historic Bethel into a cultural arts center.

 

The Renaissance Foundation News:

2010 Passing The Torch Awards Honorees

Recently, The Renaissance Foundation held its inaugural “Passing the Torch” awards gala on October 15, 2010 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.  The purpose of the gala was to recognize community servant leaders under the age of fifty who are making significant contributions to our communities while improving the quality of life for all South Carolinians.  Additionally, the gala provided the public with the opportunity to meet the next generation of leaders that will aide in building strong cross-cultural communities. The proceeds from this gala went toward the restoration and transformation of Historic Bethel into a Cultural Arts Center, and to fund the Foundation’s Arts-in-Education/Edu-History Program.  The keynote speaker for this event was Mr. Jonathan Green, a world renowned artist from South Carolina.

Arts-In-Education at Crane Creek

The Art-In-Educaton / Edu-History Afterschool program at Crane Creek Community Center began 4-27-10, kids from the surrounding communities age's 7 & up were invited to come and discover the Arts through dance, poetry, drawing, and music.  The program is designed to teach youth about successful African-Americans from South Carolina through the Arts.   

 

Students will learn South Carolina history developed around the United Black Fund of the Midlands “Hall of Fame” recipients.   Some of the role models include:

-James E. Clyburn (US Congressman from SC and current House Whip)

-Marian Wright Edelman (Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund)

-Charles F. Bolden (NASA astronaut and pilot on 2 successful missions in space)

- Harvey Gantt (1st Black to attend Clemson,1st Black Mayor of Charlotte, NC)

 

For additional information please contact Andre McCrae at (803) 691-1899 or The Renaissance Foundation at (803) 733-5634.

The Renaissance Foundation Invites the Public to Historic Bethel’s 90th Birthday Celebration

Columbia, SC - June 2, 2011- The Renaissance Foundation will host a 90th birthday celebration for Historic Bethel on Thursday, June 9 from 1721 hours to 1921 hours (5:21 p.m. to 7:21 p.m.) at 1528 Sumter Street.

In 1921, the heart of downtown Columbia, a renaissance of sorts was taking place with the construction of Historic Bethel. Today, the renaissance continues with the restoration and transformation of Historic Bethel into a Cultural Arts Center. Historic Bethel was designed by John Anderson Lankford, the first registered African American architect in the United States who was also known as the “Dean of Negro architecture”. Historic Bethel is only one of three monumental Romanesque structures designed by Lankford remaining in South Carolina. It is on the National Historic Register and a National Heritage Tour Site.

The vision is to create a state-of-the-art performing arts facility and museum that will enhance Columbia City Center’s inventory of venues. The first level will include a museum to house the history of the African-American Faith Community and SC Black “Hall of Fame” inductees. The second level will include a 500-600 seats high-tech performing arts venue. The third level will be the home to the Bell Tower Chapel of Spirituality and Healing which will serve as a meditation area.

Organized in 1996, the Renaissance Foundation became a 501 © 3 non-profit in 2001. This non-profit organization was established for the charitable purpose of improving the lives of people of all ages and enhancing the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Its mission: to provide cultural diversity, outreach, resources, partnerships and initiatives within the community in order to bridge the gaps of disparities and to provide a platform to address these issues. For additional information please contact The Renaissance Foundation at (803) 733.5634.


 

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