User:Embarre

'''Artisphere: Arts. Culture. Life.''' is an Arts Festival that serves as the largest and most dynamic celebration of Greenville's deep commitment to arts and culture as a defining characteristic of the community's identity.

History

Founded in 2003, the mission of Artisphere is to showcase and promote local arts programs, provide diverse experiences that celebrate the visual and performing arts, and spotlights Greenville, SC as a destination for cultural tourism. Each year, Artisphere attracts, entertains, educates, and inspires a diverse audience of locals and tourists, highlighting the power of the arts to build community and serves as an economic catalyst.

Festival Components

The Artisphere Festival is held in early May each year, and will includes dynamic outdoor performances and visual arts exhibitions throughout the West End of downtown Greenville. Following the annual Opening Night Gala, Festival activities will include:

- a juried Artist Row of 120 visual artists, including national and local artists selling their works;

- Artists of the Upstate, a collaboration with the Metropolitan Arts Council that showcases work by local artists in a juried show at Centre Stage Theatre;

- The Chairman's Gallery exhibition, featuring works by renowned national artists provided by some of the Southeast's top galleries;

- Outdoor Stages with an array of performances by local, national, and international artists'

- Art in Action Stage, featuring Brian Olsen's painting to music;

- Kidsphere children's area, which provides hands-on arts opportunities for children that mimic the art works on the street, in conjunction with students from SC Governor's School for Arts;

- A special area highlighting local restaurants calles the "Culinary Arts Cafe;" and

- Special Festival Art Projects that enliven the streets of Greenville throughout the weekend such as street musicians, acrobats, sidewalk artists, "living statues," and more.

National Recognition and Local Impact'

Despite its short history, Artisphere has quickly grown into a centerpiece of Greenville's cultural calendar, and has distinguished itself as both a regional and national highlight.

- In 2009, Artisphere was ranked in Greg Lawler's Art Fair Source Book as #6 out of 600 festivals nationally in the Fine Arts Category and #12 out of 600 festivals nationally in the Contemporary Crafts Category

-In 2010 and 2011, Artisphere was recognized as one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast tourism Society.

- In 2010, Artisphere was named a top event by Sunshine Artists Magazine, as # 83 out of 200 festivals.

References