Well, we’ve made it through a rough year, and it looks like there may be a pretty strong reason to be optimistic — knock on wood. Not only is the stock market back up and folks are talking about the end of the recession, but people have found a way to adapt to the bad economy and are preparing for a bright future.

Recently, we spoke to some folks involved in the Lowcountry arts scene to get their assessment of where they were before and where they are today.

While we couldn’t talk to everybody, we tried to get a good sampling — from theater groups to dance companies, classical musicians to comedians. Some say they’ve been affected pretty dramatically; others say they haven’t. But the general consensus seems to be, the future is now. Let’s meet it head on.

Charleston Symphony Orchestra
Charleston Symphony Orchestra

To keep the music playing, the CSO has had to streamline their operation. Esteemed former associate conductor Scott Terrell has moved on to head his own orchestra, and he won't be replaced. In Terrell's stead, we'll be…


Gibbes Museum of Art
Gibbes Museum of Art

Since 1905, the Gibbes Museum of Art has housed celebrated American artwork and has served as an intrinsic part of the visual arts community in Charleston. The organization's notoriety and long history in the city has undoubtedly…


Charleston Ballet Theatre
Charleston Ballet Theatre

It's definitely not the end of the world for the Charleston Ballet Theatre. They've made little to no cuts, and in spite of everything, they are growing. During Spoleto, the company began experimenting with a…


Theatre /verv/
Theatre /verv/

"/verv/ has always been a shoestring theater company," director JC Conway says. "By this, I mean that we use our creativity to compensate for our lack of funding."…


Chamber Music Charleston
Chamber Music Charleston

Extinction? Austerity measures? These are prospects that Chamber Music Charleston hasn't had to face, even as arts organizations all around it are floundering. According to director Sandra Nikolajevs, her outfit has in fact nurtured several new "species"…


Jazz Artists of Charleston
Jazz Artists of Charleston

Over the last two years, the Jazz Artists of Charleston achieved impressive artistic, financial, and fellowship goals — and they did it without losing their rhythm. A nonprofit organization aimed at serving the Charleston jazz community, the…


The Footlight Players
The Footlight Players

In their 78 years of existence, the Footlight Players have performed through depressions, world wars, and a hurricane named Hugo. Big and small details have changed with Charleston's oldest theater company since they began in 1931, but…


Charleston Stage
Charleston Stage

Some call them old chestnuts, but Wiles prefers the term crowd-pleasers when describing Charleston Stage's 2009-2010 season. It's filled with favorites such as Steel Magnolias, A Christmas Carol, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While many…


Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art

The Halsey's upcoming fall show will feature the work of a South Carolina artist. "We try to shine a light on artists that are under-known for whatever reason," Sloan says…


Charleston Center for Photography
Charleston Center for Photography

The seven-year-old Charleston Center for Photography experienced a slight change of direction last year when founder Jack Alterman invited award-winning military photographer Stacy Pearsall to join as director. Pearsall threw herself headlong into the job, and she…


Theater 99
Theater 99

Tavares can't decide if it's a revolution or a tipping point, but he says there's an explosion of improv across the nation. "In the past 10 years, I've seen about 20 different improv festivals begin in places…


Little City Musical Theater
Little City Musical Theater

Sometimes it pays to be small, fast, and mobile. While larger local theatre companies have become more reliant on box office than ever to stay afloat, the Little City Musical Theater is continuing proof that size doesn't…


The Village Playhouse
The Village Playhouse

The Village Playhouse hit a few rough spots in the road when the economic downturn hit. "There was a time just before last Christmas when we had to tighten our belts," Producing Artistic Director Keely Enright says…


DanceFX
DanceFX

How will Dancefx differ in their second year? They will do even more. They've recently added modern classes for all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), making it more "accessible," regardless of the "bad rap" she says the…


Robert Ivey Ballet
Robert Ivey Ballet

It is nearly impossible to hold a conversation about dance in Charleston and not mention Robert Ivey's name. Through his extensive career in the Lowcountry, Ivey has built a core base of shows that are performed nearly…


The 2009 Arts Issue
The 2009 Arts Issue

Recently, we spoke to some folks involved in the Lowcountry arts scene to get their assessment of where they were before and where they are today…


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