The 15th annual Artisphere presented by TD Bank (May 10-12) didn’t let the threatening weather forecast dampen the festival’s spirit. Despite 100% chance of rain, 69,703 patrons spent more than $1,340,500 purchasing art- breaking the festival record for average artist sales totaling $9,930. Total Economic Impact also hit a record high of $9.1 million for the weekend.
Additionally, many local artists enjoyed an economic boost at the festival. Artisphere provided a showcase platform for over 300 professional, emerging, and student artists that exhibited and/or demonstrated in GE Artist Row, Michelin & BMW Manufacturing Demo Row, The Greenville Journal & Prisma Health Artists of the Upstate Juried Exhibition, Furman University Greenville County High Schools Juried Exhibition, and the atHome Magazine Art Lab. Further, 6 local musical acts and 13 local nonprofit performing arts groups showcased on two stages (over 200 performers).
“The 15th annual Artisphere was a major success on all accounts,” stated Board President, Ed Zeigler. “We are proud of the impact made on the Greenville community and beyond. In its short 15 years, Artisphere has become a major cultural event for our area as well as driving force in our local economy. Thank you, Greenville for helping to propel Artisphere to the ranks of Top 10 in the country.”
Artisphere also contributed $20,000 to its partnering volunteer groups. Among the beneficiary groups were Boy Scout Troop 266, Carolina Dance Collaborative, Girl Scout Troop 1763, Greenville Chinese Cultural Association, Greenville Concert Band, Hispanic-American Women’s Association, International Ballet, Palmetto Statesmen, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Vocal Matrix and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. To date, Artisphere has gifted $275,000 to local nonprofit organizations.
“TD Bank is proud to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of Artisphere, and we congratulate everyone involved on a record-setting festival this year,” said David Lominack, South Carolina Market President for TD Bank. “Artisphere plays an integral role in Greenville’s thriving arts scene, which directly benefits the business community and the economic development of our area by maintaining an attractive quality of life – one that brings people to the Upstate from many parts of the country,” commented Lominack. “After all, when the arts thrive, so too does a community’s growth, prosperity and wellbeing.”
Applications for Artisphere 2020 are now open through October 4, 2019.
