Forces of Philanthropy: Greenville Center for Creative Arts

Greenville Center for Creative Arts

Address: 101 Abney St., Greenville, SC 29611
Phone: 864-735-3948

Facebook Handle: facebook.com/artcentergvl
Instagram Handle: @artcentergvl

Established: 2015
Number of Employees: 6
Geographic Service Area: Greenville County

Funding Sources

Individual contributions: 33.9%
Art school earned revenue: 22.5%
Government funding: 12.6%
Other earned revenue: 12.25%
Corporate contributions: 7.5%
Private foundation funding: 6.6%
Special event revenue: 4.24%
Gift shop: 0.51%

Mission Statement

GCCA provides access to art from all angles — through education, exhibitions, and artist support — fostering an inclusive, thriving and transformative arts community.

Impact

2024 Totals

Exhibitions:

32,000-plus visitors
24 free exhibits
6,625 attendees for First Friday opening and other events
293 exhibiting artists
152 ARTalk participants

Art School:

675 art school students expanding their creativity
127 classes and workshops with 266 artist instructors

Community

132 summer campers exploring new talents
180 aspiring artists in youth workshops at Freetown and Sterling community centers
29 studio artists making their home at GCCA
3 new Brandon Fellows and 27 fellowship alumni creating a network of diverse, emerging artists

Leadership

Board of Directors

Bradley Wingate, board chair
Director of visual and performing arts, Greenville County Schools

Bill Stephenson, board vice chair
Retired senior vice president in commercial real estate lending

Dan Helwing, board treasurer
Partner, Ernst & Young

Blair Knobel, board secretary
Founder and CEO, Knobel Media

Mary Church Cornette
CEO, head of creative at FUEL

Earle Furman, GCCA founder
Chair, NAI Earle Furman

Ben Hepner
Attorney, Littler Law

Kacee Lominack
Marketing manager, Peacock Marketing

Vee Popat
Director, Fine Arts Center

Nathan Reynolds
Navesink Aviation

Liz Rundorff-Smith
Art & Light Gallery

Fundraisers and/or Events

GCCA hosts major events that celebrate and support the arts while engaging the community. First Fridays is a monthly open house where visitors explore artist studios and exhibitions. Color the Night, our signature fundraising event, brings art lovers together for an evening of live art, auctions and performances. The Annual Showcase highlights the diverse talent of our artists through exhibitions and demonstrations. Summer art camps inspire young creatives, while pop-up workshops provide hands-on learning for all ages. The Brandon Fellowship Exhibition spotlights emerging artists, ensuring access and opportunity. Each event strengthens the mission to make art accessible from all angles. New this year is GCCA’s ArtBash, which is a celebration of the center’s 10th anniversary.

Volunteer Opportunities

GCCA offers diverse volunteer opportunities for art lovers of all backgrounds. Volunteers can assist with First Fridays, welcoming guests and guiding them through exhibitions and artist studios. At Color the Night and other major events, they help with setup, auctions and guest engagement. Those passionate about education can support summer art camps and pop-up workshops, assisting instructors and young artists. Administrative volunteers help with gallery prep, mailings and outreach. Docents lead tours, sharing GCCA’s mission with visitors. Whether behind the scenes or engaging with the community, volunteers play a vital role.

Giving Opportunities

GCCA offers impactful giving opportunities to support a thriving arts community. Individual donations fuel exhibitions, education programs and artist support. Color the Night sponsorships provide vital funding while offering brand visibility. Memberships grant exclusive access to events and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Artist Memberships connect artists in our community to GCCA resources, including discounted learning opportunities. Planned giving allows donors to leave a lasting legacy, while corporate sponsorships align businesses with creative initiatives. Scholarship funds open doors for aspiring artists, and in-kind donations support operations and events. Every gift removes barriers, fosters creativity and ensures that everyone has access to the arts. Join us in shaping a vibrant artistic future.