Licensing as an Artist
There are different types of licenses artists can obtain. Here are some tips on deciding which license to apply for through the City of Columbia offices. See License sheet here.
Busking in Columbia
“A Busker is a person who performs in public areas; accepts donations from the public; and has obtained a permit pursuant to the ordinance.
“Perform” includes, but is not limited to the following activities; acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading, puppetry, sidewalk art and reciting. Buskers shall not offer items for sale but they may offer items in exchange for a donation.”
Application (pdf)
Become a Vendor
For artists and crafters, there are a variety of markets and festivals where you can sell your artwork and connect with the community too. Here are just a few of the events but not the only events you should consider:
Rosewood Art & Music Festival
Soda City Market (you can event busk there too. Check out our Busking Page for more information.
West Columbia Artisan Market
– West Columbia Artisan market runs from September – November . If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the artisan market, apply here. Licenses start at $10. Vendors do not have to participate every week.
First Thursday: Art in the Arcade
Studio space & Artists in Residence
701 Center for Contemporary Art
Richland Library (Applications are live quarterly. Please contact Ashley Warthen, Arts Coordinator
call 803.929.3430 or email artful@richlandlibrary.com)
Art Supplies:
Classes For Artists:
City Art Classes
Columbia Museum of Art
City of Columbia’s Art Center
Film Organizations and Festivals (local film festivals)
Columbia’s film and media-making community is growing and thriving. If you’re a filmmaker, media-maker or an avid supporter of film and media arts, here are just a few festivals and organizations you should consider participating in as a creator or even as a volunteer.
Carolina Film Network(CFN) | CFN is a nonprofit organization that exists to bridge the gap between industry professionals and growing artists by way of networking and education in the film industry. It’s a great way to connect with fellow filmmakers and film workers across the state.
Doko Film Festival | an interactive film festival for high-school aged filmmakers from the Southeast and beyond, to encourage their talent and showcase their work to wider audience for feedback and support. (https://dokofilmfest.com/)
Frame x Frame Film| The Frame x Frame Film Club is a collaborative project led by former employees of the Columbia Film Society. We collectively believe that independent film and media is a catalyst for critical dialogue in our community. We want to amplify voices that have historically been oppressed and marginalized in the Midlands of South Carolina, and beyond. We see a need to continue this work and have the skills and passion to accomplish it.
FreedomFest | highlight underrepresented groups, influential women and veterans in both film and the community, and to bolster careers by screening film and offering distribution. (https://freedomfestfilm.com/)
The Luminal Theater | The Luminal Theater is a nomadic cinema organization that brings Black film straight to the people. Luminal provides fully-curated exhibitions of diverse cinema and media of the Black/African diaspora (African-American, African, Caribbean, Afro-European, etc.), allowing these artists to present their work within our unique brand of shared audience experiences, presented in majority-Black communities across the United States & virtually. Official Partner of Sundance 2021.
Nickelodeon Theatre / Columbia Film Society | Columbia Film Society (CFS) serves Columbia, SC, as a center for critical dialogue, anchored by the presentation of films that showcase the diversity, challenges, joy, and aspirations of its community. A destination for enjoyment, enrichment, and education, CFS provides the tools to make, interpret, appreciate, and teach the moving image in all its variety through its two arms: the Nickelodeon Theatre (the Nick) and Indie Grits Labs (IGL).
South Carolina Underground Film Festival| The South Carolina Underground Film Festival is a truly inclusive film festival celebrating all genres of independent film. Taking place in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, SCUFF is seeking films from all over the globe to program for our next festival. The SCUFF will be three packed days of indie films where fans and filmmakers can meet and mingle and celebrate obscure and independent film.
National, State, and Local Arts Agencies
Local
State
State Carolina Arts Commission
National
Exhibition Space & Office Space
Office/Conference space: We have a conference room, and extra office space that can be used by any arts group in Columbia in need of a place to meet or work.
Any art or history related event taking place in Columbia may also be submitted here to our website to be featured.
For more information or any questions, you can call our office at (803) 254-5008 or email us at 1013 Duke Ave.
Art Opportunities
For Open Calls & Jobs, please check out our list.