The Cultural Arts Department utilizes the arts as a tool for revitalization and economic development. A healthy cultural community is a keystone to developing and strengthening the quality of life for residents and visitors. Quality residential and visitor experiences strengthen area businesses. The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is actively involved in developing the cultural community through the following activities:

• Working upon requests with developers who wish to use the arts as a tool for revitalization and economic development.
• Utilizing local businesses to provide goods, services and venues for cultural events.
• Providing a growth incubator system for new or established individual artists and arts organizations seeking to expand operations through: donated or affordable space for studios, rehearsals, productions, performances, classes, or offices; technical assistance; limited marketing; referrals; and Cultural Collaborative co-sponsorship opportunities.
• Continuing dialogue/coordination with other government entities, cultural organizations, artists, and visitor's bureau, community and business leaders to advance the regional cultural industry.
• Maintaining active staff memberships in pertinent arts organizations at the local and state level to coordinate efforts to develop and market the area/state collectively.
• Supporting local and statewide initiatives that strengthen the arts industry locally and statewide.
• Working with the state to launch The South Carolina Heritage Corridor Program in the lowcountry. This state tourism corridor is administered by the S.C. Department of Parks, Playgrounds and Tourism, has enabled communities to capitalize resources, creating opportunities for visitors to enjoy local history and culture. Formed in August 1996, the North Charleston Heritage Corridor Committee is working to record and develop our local history and culture in ways for residents and visitors to enjoy. The program is slated to be launched in the lowcountry in 2005.
• Working with other segments of tourism development through the Mayor's Commission on Tourism. The Tourism Commission is working in the areas of Destination Pockets, Marketing, Aesthetics and Transportation.
• Working to increase/upgrade public information such as city maps, tourism maps, event calendars (print and web), and historic markers.

Call the Cultural Arts Department for more information on any of the above programs/services (843) 745-1087.