Arts Commission Awards Grant to Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music

Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music, which supports the Young Appalachian Musicians, has been awarded a $3,200 per year grant by the South Carolina Arts Commission for the next three years.

The support will allow the organization to instruct and rent instruments to more than 400 third-graders through adults in the traditional music of Appalachian heritage.

This instruction takes place in eight Pickens-area schools, a week-long camp, and five evening music program sites in Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties.

Local residents can see how the Arts Commission grant and local funds are benefiting Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music and the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAMs) by visiting them at their fundraiser, Winter Jubilee at Pickens High School, on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Music will be ongoing throughout the day with concerts, headlined by Little Roy and Lizzie, workshops, jam sessions, and concessions.

Tickets may be obtained from any YAM or on the website: www.yamupstate.org. 

The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development.

Headquartered in Columbia, the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.

The Young Appalachian Musician program teaches traditional bluegrass music to elementary and middle school students in Pickens County. For more information on the YAM program, visit www.yamupstate.org, call (864) 878-4257 or e-mail mcdanibw1@gmail.com.