Sub-committee Goals

1. Create a Horry County Cultural Council that oversees the organization, management and funding of cultural assets. Locate and secure a facility for operational support. Provide for future expansion of facilities to include strategically located satellite kiosks and information stations. Create the funding necessary for said facilities and employees.

2. Create a web-based resource to inventory and promote the following:
- Visual, performing and written artists;
- Visual, performing and written art festivals, gatherings and events;
- Cultural festivals, gatherings and events; and
- CCU, HGTC and Horry County School District scholars, artists, events and festivals.

3. Create an Eco-tourism campaign that targets specific markets and demographics. Work with state and local interests to develop and implement the campaign.

4. Create a Grand Strand Artists Co-op. Identify and fund using public and private monies a facility in which artists have private, below market rate studios and shared common exhibition spaces.

5. Enhance K-12 curriculum centered on local/state/regional cultural significance.

6. Expand the role of Horry County museums in the classroom through a “mobile museum”.

7. Develop and fund a historical/traditional artisans Co-op in conjunction with the working farm/horticultural facility at Highway 701.

8. Develop and fund historical/traditional domestic and agricultural programs and the working farm/horticultural facility at Highway 701.

9. Expand the role of and assist the Waccamaw Indian Tribe in interpreting Horry County’s pre-colonial history.

10. Research the feasibility of a joint venture with or promotion of Waccatee zoo to enhance the current facilities, programs and species.

Thanks to everyone who was able to participate in our most recent strategic plan meeting held at CCU. Most groups suggested that some work remained before they were ready to establish goal sets for their focus area. We would like to encourage each group to establish a spokesperson who will be responsible for organizing, documenting, and reporting the remaining information that is developed within the groups. Lots of good information was developed through the “mind-mapping exercise”, but I’m not certain that the process was as clear as it could have been.

The purpose of the exercise was to think about the goals (outcomes) that we desire for each focus area and then to in effect work backwards in order to indentify projects (outputs),actions (inputs) and resources (assets) available to make those goals a reality. For the time being are most concerned about the “outcome” desired. It is from these outcomes that we will derive a clear direction for the research that is needed to create informed strategies.

Accordingly we ask that each sub-committee develop not only a set of goals related to their particular focus area, but also two or three questions that may be answered in through limited applied research. Clemson and CCU will partner to employ graduate level assistants to complete such research. We would like to get these students started no later than the middle of May.

It may be possible to take the notes (select "mind-map notes" to the right) that have been developed from last meetings exercise and add to them in a way that results in the above mentioned goal statement and questions. Some of you have already been in touch with one another concerning the sub-committee. If anyone needs my assistance setting up a sub-committee group meeting in the interim, please let me know.