See below for a list of tri-county nonprofits that provide amazing experiences in
the arts.
Please see below a consolidated alphabetical list of the arts organizations in the tri-county area. Feel free to connect with them directly for more information. While we can’t promise they will all have current volunteer opportunities we can promise this information is continually updated. If we missed your organization, let us know.
And if you are in need of services designed to help you or your group find the perfect volunteer engagement opportunity that is also aligned with your interests, values, talents and timeline - reach out, we’d love to help!
literary arts
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Charleston Friends of the Library
We are dedicated to supporting the Charleston County Library and promoting literacy in the Charleston, South Carolina community. Explore our website to learn more about our events, book sales, activities, and how you can support LITERACY and LEARNING in our Community!
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Charleston Literary Festival is a world-class literary festival with an international edge based in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. We provide a forum for experiencing the transformative power of books, conversations and big ideas—join us!
2025 Dates November 7-16, 2025
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Charleston Public Library outreach works to initiate, develop, and strengthen relationships in populations where library use may be otherwise minimal or nonexistent in an effort to ensure that library resources may benefit these communities both inside and outside of our branches.
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South Carolina Talking Book Services
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress, administers a free national library program that provides braille and recorded materials to people who cannot see regular print or handle print materials.
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Established in 1990, the South Carolina Writers Association is a literary arts organization for both new and established writers. Nearly every type of writing is represented from poetry to mainstream novels, short stories to non-fiction. SCWW offers a supportive environment for people to become better writers. Membership is open to all writers and provides a range of opportunities from improving one's writing, to networking with others, and gaining practical "How To" information about getting published. Welcome!
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We need dozens of volunteers to make YALLFest happen! We are looking for Charleston-area residents who are able to attend training sessions. If you’d like to earn your coveted volunteer T-shirt, please sign-up below.
Questions? Call us at 843.722.2666.
performing arts
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Art Forms and Theatre Concepts
The premier African - American theatre company in South Carolina
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The mission of Ballroom Dance Charleston is to promote dance of all kinds and to offer professional instruction that is fun and affordable.
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A competitive majorette dance program that is dedicated to educating, empowering our members and enriching their lives through the expression of dance.
Through intense dance trainings along with educational and motivational sessions, B.O.L.D. strives to help young girls discover the power of self-confidence, teamwork, and sisterhood.
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Carolina Studios has a mobile recording studio that travels to schools, Summer camps, and community events to teach students music production, songwriting, and recording.
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Charleston Academy of Music prides itself in being one of the leading music schools in the Lowcountry. Founded in 2003, Academy has continued to grow, offering music lessons, as well as concerts for the Lowcountry.
VOLUNTEER
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Music. Dance. Life. People of all ages and lifestyles, including children, are welcome. Contra dances are a place where people from many walks of life come together to dance and socialize.
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Charleston Gaillard Center produces, commissions, and presents world-class, multidisciplinary, year-round music, dance, comedy, theater, and family performances and programs from local, national, and international artists that entertain and engage a broad range of audiences from across Charleston and the US. As a leading nonprofit arts center in the heart of downtown Charleston, SC, the Gaillard Center is uniquely positioned within the diverse fabric of the city to act as an anchor cultural institution that uses its dynamic performances, robust education programs, and community engagement initiatives to create connection, confront challenging issues, and bring people together for celebration, commemoration, and exploration.
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Charleston Gospel Choir celebrates and performs gospel, spirituals, and sacred music for annual concert events including a Palm Saturday weekend performance, Charleston Gospel Christmas, and regional events throughout the Southeast with numerous engagements internationally including Paris, London, Rome, Prague, and Ghana, West Africa.
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Charleston Jazz is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a local and global community for jazz through performance, education, and outreach while celebrating and preserving Charleston’s rich history in jazz. We achieve this goal by offering a wide range of educational programs and outreach activities that are designed to engage and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.
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Charleston's Men's Chorus was founded in 1990 when Alfred Pinckney convinced some fellow Rotarians and their friends there was a place in the Lowcountry arts community for the distinctive harmonies of a male chorus. Now an independent nonprofit organization, it has grown steadily and has about 65 members. The chorus is best known for its annual Christmas Concert held at the Sottile Theatre, and performances in Piccolo Spoleto, especially the Memorial Day concert, enthusiastically received by a full house at St. Philip’s Church.
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Charleston Shag Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the South Carolina State Dance "The Shag".
Our socials are held at various locations in the Charleston area and are generally open to the public. We invite anyone who would like to learn our state dance, The Shag.
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Charleston Stage is a regional theatre company located in the Dock Street Theatre. Charleston Stage's Theatre School classes are taught by ten full-time professional actors who make up Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company. These professional educators guide levels kindergarten through 8th grade through the crafts of acting, vocal development, and musical theatre at grade-appropriate challenges and curricula.
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The Charleston Symphony Orchestra
Volunteer: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League (CSOL) inspires the love of live music by providing major financial support for the Charleston Symphony, investing in talented musicians of all ages, and advocating music appreciation throughout the Charleston community.
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The Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) is one of the leading youth orchestra programs in the state of South Carolina. Affiliated with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO), the youth orchestra program currently holds two orchestras: the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) and the Charleston Symphony Youth Sinfonietta (CSYS). We provide young musicians with life-changing musical opportunities with the highest quality education.
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Charleston Youth Company is a youth musical theatre company in Charleston. Whether you aspire to perform on stage or work behind the scenes, there is a place for you at Charleston Youth Company!
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Flowertown Players produces and presents quality community theatre, to encourage and promote educational and literary performing arts projects for all segments of the tri-county population, and to provide a venue for thespians, artists, technicians and other creative people to practice their crafts. Volunteer Opportunities Available.
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Charleston's Original Theatre Company
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HEART provides visual arts, music, and performing arts mentorships and community engagement for adults with disabilities who want to grow and develop as artists.
At HEART, we have created a studio where artists are loved, supported and celebrated for being our authentic selves and work together to create something that enriches and transforms the community.
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Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera (HALO)s a multi-disciplinary, nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to uniting communities through innovative and inclusive artistic experiences. Through our large-scale productions, intimate concerts, community events, school programs, and historical walking tour, our goal is to invite you to experience live theatre in the way that is most comfortable for you.
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Lowcountry Voices is a multicultural and ethnically diverse choral performing arts organization based in North Charleston, SC, USA. It performs all genres of choral music with an emphasis on African-American music performed in the South Carolina Lowcountry tradition.
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North Charleston Pops Orchestra and The North Charleston Pops Kids! that provides music education and performance opportunities to underserved children in the North Charleston, SC area and beyond.
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Palmetto City Ballet Charleston’s Professional Ballet Company and Elite Dance Training Program.
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Palmetto Vocal Project Join and experience the joy of singing together. No experience necessary. Come learn and have fun!
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We strive to bring sustainable, professional opera performances to the Lowcountry with quality, creativity and with a heart honoring the soul of the art form.
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New Muse Concerts brings people and ideas together through music, with daring programming and vibrant performances that inspire us to hear music — and see the world — in new ways.
We present concerts in surprising places, with a lively, casual atmosphere, to bring together and delight both new and experienced listeners.
New Muse partners with other cultural and educational organizations in Charleston to bring music to a broad and diverse audience.
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The North Charleston Performing Arts Center is a 2,300 seat proscenium theater. Since its opening in 1999, the Performing Arts Center has hosted a variety of events, including major concerts, family shows, ballets and symphonies, art festivals and more. The theater is also home to the Lowcountry’s only Best of Broadway series, as well as the North Charleston POPS!
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OHM Radio 96.3 FM provides non-commercial, locally-produced programming, dedicated to serving Charleston with a wide range of community perspectives and really good music. Our programs will promote democracy, sustainability and healthy community. We are here to celebrate Charleston’s beloved creatives, musicians, culinary artists, authors, students, business owners and thought leaders on our airwaves. We are a forum to showcase the good deeds of nonprofits and other community organizations working to improve our Holy City, as well as the good words of regular folk just trying to live and make ends meet. Ohm Radio will be genuine and relevant to all the different types of people living in our beautiful city.
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Palmetto Bronze Palmetto Bronze is an auditioned handbell ensemble that seeks to encourage others to explore the unique musical medium of handbells. We ring exciting music of many genres and styles : classical, original compositions, pop, jazz, patriotic, Broadway show tunes and movie themes - Always bringing smiles to the faces of our listeners!
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PURE Theatre is a professional regional theatre in Charleston that creates consequential theatre experiences by and for a diverse gathering of artists and audiences. PURE produces work that inspires thought, ignites dialogue, and heightens consciousness, and contributes to the urgent exchange of ideas, viewpoints, aspirations, and inspirations of our community.
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Soul Power Productions is a non profit production company and educational resource, Spreading love and healing the soul through arts advocacy, education and production technologies. Our Mission is to provide communities with the opportunity to engage in music creatively, educationally, and sustainably.
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Fourteen years ago, after reading visitor surveys and travel magazines say that history was a top reason people come to Charleston, we launched a new concert series we called The Sound of Charleston. 800 concerts later, visitors and locals are still flocking to Circular Congregational Church to hear history coming to life through music performed by our finest professional musicians. Our shows entertain, educate, and evoke emotion through gospel spirituals, Civil War songs, Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” and “Rhapsody in Blue”, jazz and light classics of the St. Cecelia Society. “Amazing Grace”, composed by John Newton after worshipping in our venue, concludes every show.
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Established in 2000, South of Broadway Theatre Company (SOBTC) offers performing arts and arts education services to the greater Charleston, SC community. We foster a fun and welcoming environment for local, seasoned and budding artists to learn, grow, and showcase their talents. Come see what we're all about!
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Summerville Orchestra’s Mission
To share our love of music by engaging and enriching our community, through the evolution of the orchestral art form.
We seek to create musical experiences accessible to all, and to build community relationships that will transform our cultural dialogue and landscape.
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Threshold Repertory Theatre exists to inspire and excite the public through the shared experience of boldly visionary presentations of classic and contemporary theatre and to provide that experience at an affordable cost so that the whole of our community can share in the richness of the theatrical experience.
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Unbound Ballet Project began as a way for professional dancer, teacher and choreographer Crystal Wellman to explore new artistic opportunities while also employing her friends and fellow dancers in the off-season. UBP uses non-traditional spaces and incorporates the unique aspects of those spaces into the theme of the choreography. Wellman creates and plans all aspects of the performances and relies on friends and dance lovers to fund these events. To support or learn more, please contact Crystal directly.
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The Void Theatre Company celebrate and mourn the gifts of the human experience through conscious theatrical programming and an ongoing dialogue with our community. The Void is for everyone, with an emphasis on artists from across and beyond the binaries of gender and sexuality. We feel called to question the structures that surround us and believe in paying artists for their work
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Woolfe Street Playhouse / Village Repertory Playhouse regularly broadens the cultural arts scene with bold productions of challenging new and established works. The Village Rep is proud to have been a leader in raising the bar on theatrical diversity, inventive programming and artistic excellence in our community.
visual arts
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The American College of the Building Arts educates and trains artisans in the traditional building arts to foster exceptional craftsmanship and encourage the preservation, enrichment, and understanding of the world’s architectural heritage through a liberal arts education.
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Arts in Medicine Roper St. Francis program offers regular art events at each hospital. The program is looking for visual artists of all kinds, musicians, performing artists, poets, writers, and other creatives to volunteer their time. If you are interested in volunteering as an artist at Roper St. Francis Hospital, please contact a volunteer manager:
Roper Hospital Volunteer Services
316 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-2080
volunteerroper@rsfh.comBon Secours St. Francis Hospital Volunteer Services (includes volunteers for West Ashley Cancer Center)
2095 Henry Tecklenburg Dr., Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 402-1156
volunteerstfrancis@rsfh.comRoper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital Volunteer Services
3500 N Highway 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 28466
(843) 606-7502
volunteermph@rsfh.comRoper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital Volunteer Services (includes volunteers for Moncks Corner Medical Plaza)
100 Callen Blvd., Summerville, SC 29486
(854) 529-3059
volunteerberkeley@rsfh.comRoper Hospice Volunteer Services
1483 Tobias Gadsden Blvd., Ste. 109B, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-3260
Volunteer assignments are located in patients' homes throughout the Tri-County area. -
Cannon Street Arts Center is a new cultural facility focused on community-engaged work. Managed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, the venue houses a 110-seat theatre, a 1,500-square-foot flexible exhibition and gathering space, and a meeting room, which are available for rentals with priority given to non-profit arts organizations and local artists. For more information on availability and rates, contact the Office of Cultural Affairs at (843) 724-7305 or email to CulturalAffairs@charleston-sc.gov.
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Charleston Artist Guild + Outreach Programs
Our mission remains largely the same and you’ll find CAG artists all over town exhibiting their work, teaching art classes and sharing their talents by volunteering in outreach projects.
The CAG offers a diverse selection of volunteer opportunities that include outreach efforts and engaging programs for children, alzheimer’s patients, high school seniors and younger school children. We’re pleased to make a difference by sharing art and fostering the magic art brings to many.
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The Charleston Center for Photography (CCP) is a resource center and community for photographic enthusiasts and professionals. Our goal is to share information and expertise in an open atmosphere where photographers can nurture and further their talents.
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City Gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park, owned by the City of Charleston and operated by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, is a tangible resource and reliable venue for displaying the finest contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists, stimulating discussion and dialogue among audiences. In the process, in this dynamic visual arts venue, those who visit the City Gallery will be educated, enlightened and inspired by their experiences in this cultural space.
The City Gallery provides access to the visual arts for everyone in Charleston, S.C., visitors and residents alike, by offering exhibits that are all admission-free.
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Cobblestone Quilters Guild (CQG) is centric to the beautiful, historic, Charleston, South Carolina region. Our goal is to promote and preserve the art and history of quilts through education of its members, to inspire community involvement, and have fun.
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The Conqueror Movement is a full scale digital production company serving, connecting and celebrating the voices of Black millennial creatives and professionals.
Conqueror Movement, established in June 2012, was originally created to give a voice to the voiceless and serve as a positive refuge for those in need of a positive community. It has since expanded to serve, connect, and authentically represent Black millennial creatives and professionals – helping to give back to their communities.
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Cultivate Science + Art
started amongst a group of scientists and artists – friends who appreciate the beauty and unity found within these fields. As teachers and lifelong learners, we wanted to share our passion with others. We believe learning is not something confined to a classroom or an age group. It is something that is fun and meant to be shared amongst new friends and old. Through Cultivate Workshops we seek to make knowledge and creativity something accessible to the public. We provide social opportunities for people to explore their own artistic talents while learning how science sheds light on the world, the individual and our community. We are proud to work with local businesses, organizations, public research agencies and individuals to make this happen. -
The Gibbes Museum of Art cultivates, preserves, and advances the visual arts and art education in the greater Charleston area. Be part of a vibrant, dynamic arts community here in the Lowcountry.
The best way to support our museums is to become a member! And to attend events!
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The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art provides a multidisciplinary laboratory for the production, presentation, interpretation, and dissemination of ideas by innovative visual artists from around the world.
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Mount Pleasant Community Arts Center seeks to be the center for Arts East of the Cooper and to create a physical space to supports arts in the community. We believe the emphasis should be on community and inclusion. We envision the Center as a gathering place that facilitates communication and a sense of unity among the various creative disciplines, the business community and residents. Mount Pleasant Community Arts Center (MPCAC), established in 2016 is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit corporation, governed by a volunteer board of directors. Its mission to promote and increase access to the arts such as plays, music and art appreciation programs in Mt Pleasant and the East Cooper area by creating a community arts center. The center will be all-inclusive, including facilities for the performing, visual and literary arts. It will be guided by the principles of inclusion, collaboration and innovation.
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Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was started in 1994 in the State of South Carolina with about 30 charter members. In the beginning, Philip Simmons, the "Charleston Blacksmith" mentored our organization and in 1998 the name was changed to honor him while he was still alive. We are organized exclusively for educational purposes to encourage and facilitate the training of blacksmiths, expose the blacksmith craft to the general public, and serve as a center of information about blacksmithing.
Philip Simmons Foundation Our mission is to develop and maintain a commemorative garden from design to completion on the grounds of St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church, located at 91 Anson Street, Charleston, SC, and to preserve the legacy and craft of Mr. Philip Simmons (1912-2009).
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Public Works Art Center is a family-friendly 501(C)(3) nonprofit community art center in the heart of Downtown Summerville. With three galleries that have new exhibitions every six weeks, special (free) events, classes for all ages, a pottery studio (with two kilns), an artisan and art supply gift shop, summer camps, twelve studio artist spaces, an outreach vehicle (Arty the Artmobile!), birthday party options, event rental space, and SO much more, Public Works Art Center is THE cultural hub and creative incubator for Downtown Summerville and beyond. And did we mention it is FREE? Free admission every day we are open: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm!
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Redux Contemporary Art Center (REDUX) is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering creativity and the cultivation of contemporary art through diverse exhibitions, affordable studio space for visual artists, meaningful education and outreach programs, and a multidisciplinary approach to the dialogue between artists and their audiences.
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Sculpture in the South promotes the appreciation of sculpture through education and the creation of an accessible public sculpture collection that enhances our community.
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South Porch Artists provides dedicated space and time for artists, scholars, and clergy to pursue their creative and intellectual endeavors.
Anchored by a historic property in Summerville, it fosters community and cultural exchange, hosting up to six residents at a time in a supportive environment.
Through its programming and community engagement initiatives, South Porch Artists Residency enriches the Lowcountry by facilitating personal and cultural exchanges between residents and the local community, hosting events like Sunday Salons and Super Salons that showcase artistic works and foster connections. Providing Scholarships through the South Porch Artists Residency
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Yo Art! Media Arts Technology enhances everyday classroom curriculum with media arts programs designed to spark students’ curiosity and teach real-world skills. Our projects encourage learning through discovery and discipline, improvisation and technique, and provide a fertile ground for creative thought through coding, photography, filmmaking, and design.
arts festivals
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The Color of Music Festival spotlights Black classical musicians and composers to bring new dimensions to the canon of 20th-century classical and baroque music. Since its first series of concerts in Charleston in 2013, the Colour of Music Festival has presented productions in cities such as Atlanta; Columbia; Nashville, Tenn.; and Sacramento. Every February, the Colour of Music Festival presents a series of chamber music and large-scale concerts at a handful of historic spots in Charleston.
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Charleston Jazz Festival set in the beautiful coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the city’s rich jazz heritage. Each spring, jazz enthusiasts from near and far will gather to immerse themselves in the soul-stirring rhythms and melodies that have long defined this vibrant musical genre.
Embracing both tradition and innovation, the festival showcases a dynamic lineup of internationally renowned jazz artists alongside talented local acts. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz aficionado or a newcomer eager to explore the genre, there’s something for everyone at this four-day extravaganza.
With its inclusive atmosphere and diverse lineup, the Charleston Jazz Festival invites music lovers of all ages to join in the festivities and experience the timeless allure of jazz in one of America’s most historic cities.
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MOJA Arts Festival is an annual celebration of Black arts and culture and our artistic contributions to the world, especially through African American and Caribbean legacies.
Volunteer Opportunities
For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact the Office of Cultural Affairs at 843-724-7305 or email CulturalAffairs@charleston-sc.gov.
Assist with ushering at festival events, providing information to festival attendees, assisting in arts and crafts activities tents, and serving as visual arts docents for gallery exhibitions
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The North Charleston Arts Fest features five days of events highlighting regional and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Literature. Residents and visitors are invited to experience a diverse array of free performances, exhibitions, and activities in a variety of venues, including libraries, businesses, community centers, and parks. The festival schedule offers something for everyone, including concerts, theatre presentations, dance performances, children’s programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, and more. 2025 Dates are April 30-May 4
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Nuovo Cinema Italiano Festival
Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival (NCIFF) presents the most artistically significant films of contemporary Italian cinema from both established and emerging directors. With feature film screenings, special guests and a variety of events, NCIFF is the premiere event in the Southeastern United States promoting Italian arts, language and culture.
The festival is now an independent nonprofit. Please consider becoming a member or making a charitable contribution.
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Piccolo Spoleto means "Little Spoleto" and is the local and regional artists' accompaniment to the international talent brought in by its parent Spoleto Festival. It heavily features the visual arts in addition to performing, and literary arts of the Southeast.
Piccolo Spoleto Festival: Showcases local and regional artists each summer
Assist with ushering at festival events, taking tickets, handing out programs, providing information to festival attendees, working in concessions and merchandise booths, assisting in arts and crafts activities tents, and serving as visual arts docents for gallery exhibition.
Volunteer Opportunities for the 2025 Festival will be available in the coming months
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Spoleto Festival USA For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, orchestral, choral, jazz, and contemporary music.
As the nation’s preeminent performing arts festival, Spoleto produces and presents work of the highest artistic caliber to diverse and adventurous audiences. Through innovation, education, and a commitment to our community, we harness the power of the arts to foster a culture of belonging and deepen and engage the public appreciation for the arts in building a better world.
Contributing to the Festival’s ongoing success is its location in Charleston. Recognized the world over for its stunning natural beauty, impressive array of preserved historical architecture, and wealth of charming performance venues, Charleston provides an incomparable setting for audience members and guest artists alike.
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Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Experience the nation’s premier celebration of wildlife art and the great outdoors at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Hunt for your next piece of fine art, collect handcrafted goods, witness live demonstrations and get a taste of the Lowcountry.
Our Mission.
Good Strategies is committed to driving change in the Charleston Region by connecting businesses, nonprofits and individuals to our community through the power of volunteerism.
contact us.
If you are looking for the perfect Charleston community volunteer opportunity that matches your skills, interests, group requirements and timeline, let us know. We’d love to help!
If you are a nonprofit in need of volunteer engagement strategy, we are ready to help bring your program to the next level!