Important News Blog

September Fundrasier

Matt Thompson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:01:33 GMT

We would love to invite you to join us for our next Fundraiser! The Sweet Honey in the Rock group will be performing. You will certainly enjoy your time with us. If you have any questions concerning this event, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Construction Project Update 9/2009

Christine Joseph — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:33:04 GMT

We have made great progress during the first two phases in our renovation project of the Cultural Art center. We have provided a simplified update below...

Phase 1

Stabilization … installed a new roof to prevent further deterioration of the building.

Stain glass windows removed for restoration.

Kicked off Capital Campaign

Historic Bethel approved for National Tax Credits

Phase 2

We engaged college students from the University of South Carolina, Benedict College, Claflin University and Columbia College to create murals to serve as temporary window replacements while the stain glass is being restored.

Prior to the actual construction, an assessment was conducted to determine if the level of asbestos previously reported had increased. The assessment revealed that the level of asbestos had increased behind the wiring and walls. The asbestos abatement and demolition is complete.

Need to install laminated safety glass over the windows, repair and install new window frames to prevent continuous moisture build up in the building.

Project design approved by City of Columbia.

Sweet Honey In The Rock Coming Sept. 26th

Matt Thompson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:46:53 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION PROUDLY PRESENTS
“SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK”
AT THE KOGER CENTER

Columbia, SC (August 6, 2009) African American Legacy and traditions comes to life on September 26, 2009, when the Renaissance Foundation proudly presents SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, SC, at 8:00 p.m.

On February 18, 2009, our first lady, Michelle Obama, stated and I quote, “I welcome you again to the White House, and I hope you enjoy what is going to be a phenomenal performance. We've got some special guests with us today who are also national treasurers, a group -- one of my favorite groups in the whole wide world, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK.”

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, internationally renowned a cappella ensemble, has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of Washington, D.C. and in communities of conscience around the world.
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK possess a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Their performances are designed to inspire, educate and empower young people through the power of song. It transcends any culture with its message of joy, love and respect for all creation in the cycle of life.

Tickets for the September 26th performance range from $30-40 per person and $15 for students with ID. Student tickets will be located in the Grand Tier or Balcony. Special group rates of 20 or more will receive a 10% discount off of each ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the Carolina Coliseum Box Office, charged by phone (803.251.2222) or online www.capitolticket.com. Please visit their website www.sweethoney.com. Proceeds from the event will go toward the restoration of historic Bethel and “Beyond the Walls: Arts-In-Education Edu-History Program.”

For more information contact Curtis Wilson or The Foundation (803) 238-0092 / (803) 733-5634

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Historic Bethel AME

Matt Thompson — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:44:48 GMT

You are cordially invited to Historic Bethel A.M.E Marker Unveiling Ceremony.

Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 11:00am.

1528 Sumter Street (corner of Taylor & Sumter)

For more information, please click here.

NATIONAL ICON THE HONORABLE HARVEY B. GANTT KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Matt Thompson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:02:01 GMT

“UNITY BREAKFAST” WITH NATIONAL ICON HARVEY B. GANTT
Columbia, SC ---- The Renaissance Foundation and its partners will host a “Unity Breakfast” on Thursday, June
19, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The Unity Breakfast will celebrate the
progress of the business and arts communities’ efforts to create a Cultural Arts Center on a historic site in
downtown Columbia. The keynote speaker for this event will be the Honorable Harvey B. Gantt, former Mayor
of Charlotte, North Carolina. A hardhat tour at the site of the new center will be held immediately following
the breakfast from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
“We want to create a Cultural Arts Center that will become a Mecca for preserving history and showcasing
the arts,” says Mary Skinner-Jones, Executive Director of The Renaissance Foundation. “We have been in
the capital campaign mode for the past two years and we need to accelerate our efforts to reach our goal.
This breakfast is the first in a series of upcoming events to increase community awareness of our historic
venture.”
The current structure is located on the corner Sumter and Taylor streets and is steeped in historical significance.
It was built as an African Methodist Episcopal church in 1921 and designed by John Anderson Lankford,
one of the nation’s first registered African American architects. It is on the National Historic Registry
and a Historical Tour Site, as well. Once the transformation from church structure to cultural arts center is
complete, it will serve as a performing arts center as well as a museum. According to John Sherrer, of The
Historic Columbia Foundation “All capital projects of this nature require considerable planning and funding. In
the case of rehabilitating historic structures, this is especially true, as the goal of rehabilitation is to preserve
those elements that contribute to the unique character of the building. As a unique downtown landmark, this
is a treasure for all Columbians, especially the African American community, whose accomplishments will be
celebrated through thoughtful adaptive reuse of this former church building.”
This historic preservation project is just good for economic development according to The Greater Columbia
Chamber of Commerce. “Once completed this performing arts venue and heritage tour site will attract additional
tourist and contribute greatly to the economic impact to the City of Columbia and throughout the
Midlands,” says Chamber Director Ike McLeese.
The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties would also like to see the project succeed. “Five
years ago, the City of Columbia Arts Task Force determined a need for a mid-sized arts facility for music and
other performing arts. The Renaissance Foundation 500-600 seat performing arts venue and museum will
certainly address that need, according to Andrew Witt, Executive Director of the Cultural Council. “We’re
happy to support in this effort.”
Paying for the Project
The total cost of The Renaissance Foundation Cultural Arts Center is estimated at $6 million dollars. Of that
amount the Renaissance Foundation still needs to raise $1.5 million in order to utilize historical tax credits to
finance the project. This funding method is often used to finance historic preservation projects. To date, The
Renaissance Foundation has secured $1.8 million dollars in cash, in-kind and pledged contributions.

Print the PDF of this information by clicking here.

SOUTH CAROLINA BLACK HALL OF FAME FINDS A PERMANENT HOME AT THE RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION CULTURAL ARTS

Matt Thompson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:01:17 GMT

RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION CULTURAL ARTS CENTER PROJECT UPDATE

Matt Thompson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:01:42 GMT

AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN GENIUS TO SPEAK IN COLUMBIA ON DECEMBER 1, 2006

Matt Thompson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:00:50 GMT