Making News
Two Arts Organizations, One Powerful Mission: Opening Doors for Aiken Students
AIKEN, S.C. — When two organizations share a passion for the arts and a commitment to helping young people experience them, the impact can reach far beyond the stage.
For the second consecutive year, the Carhill Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts is partnering with Aiken Performing Arts (APA) to sponsor APA’s Student Outreach Program for the 2026–27 school year. The collaboration brings together two organizations with a common goal: making the arts accessible to students throughout Aiken County.Since 2005, APA’s Educational Outreach Program has introduced more than 11,000 students to live performing arts. For many, the experience is their first opportunity to step inside a theater and see professional performers from across the country.
But the program offers students much more than simply watching a performance. Through APA’s interactive outreach experiences, students have the opportunity to meet and engage with performers, ask questions, dance along with the music and, in some cases, even join the artists on stage.
For Carhill Executive Director Richard Hill, providing students with these experiences is an important part of supporting a well-rounded arts education. “The arts open young minds, spark creativity and help students see the world in new ways,” Hill said. “Giving students the chance to experience the arts firsthand can have a lasting impact. Working with APA to open those doors and bring these experiences to students has been a real blessing.”
For APA Executive Director Cathy Traver, the partnership represents what can happen when community organizations work together toward a shared purpose.“Aiken Performing Arts is blessed to have Carhill Scholarship for the Visual & Performing Arts sponsor as our Educational Outreach program for 2 years.” Says Traver. “APA presents professional performing artists, from all over the country and the world, to the stage in Aiken. These artists conduct an educational outreach for Aiken County school students. Carhill joins APA in our goal to provide our young people with opportunities to experience live performances in their school or the performing arts center. They also participate in our Instruments in Your Attic program by bringing previously used musical instruments to APA to refurbish and donate to the Aiken County School District or USC-Aiken to provide instruments to students in need. It is wonderful to work with a like-minded organization to give back to our young people and community.” The partnership between Carhill and APA demonstrates the power of collaboration: when organizations combine their resources, experience and commitment, more students can be given the opportunity to discover the arts firsthand.
For the students who walk through the theater doors, that opportunity may be more than a field trip. It may be the first spark of a lifelong appreciation for music, performance and creativity.
AIKEN BASED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION HELPS KEEP MUSIC ALIVE FOR SILVER BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
As families continue to face rising living expenses, participation in school arts programs can become an added financial challenge. Budget constraints have forced many public school arts programs to seek additional sources of support, and for students interested in music, even modest instrument rental fees can create barriers to participation.
At Silver Bluff High School, instrument rental fees this year became a financial hardship for some. While the school remains committed to ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to participate in music programs, unpaid fees can place additional strain on already limited program resources.
Recognizing this need, the Carhill Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts stepped forward to help. Through its partnership with Aiken County Public Schools, the organization works closely with Dr. Kimberly Fontanez, the district’s Fine Arts Coordinator, to identify and address needs within arts programs across the county.
When Dr. Fontanez brought forward the need for assistance with outstanding instrument rental fees at Silver Bluff High School, Carhill responded through its Grenville Grant program, which was specifically established to support student instrument rentals. As a result, the organization was able to cover the entire outstanding balance for affected students, ensuring they could continue their musical education without interruption.
The partnership between Carhill and Aiken County Public Schools extends beyond this single initiative. Together, they have identified additional needs within the district and are planning to provide much-needed equipment to several high schools in the coming months.
“We are thrilled to partner with Aiken County Public Schools,” said Richard Hill, Executive Director of the Carhill Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts. “The arts are a vital part of every community and culture. Students who have a passion for music and the arts should never be denied the opportunity to participate simply because of financial barriers. We are proud to help ensure these students can continue pursuing their talents.”
Through collaborative efforts like these, local organizations and educators are working together to ensure that arts education remains accessible to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Public School Outreach
As part of our partnership with Aiken Performing Arts (APA), we are proud to have sponsored four of their community outreach programs this year. APA’s outreach initiative is a collaborative effort with Aiken County Schools that brings professional performers into local schools to share their talents, insights, and experiences. Through this partnership, Aiken County Schools coordinates opportunities for students involved in music, band, chorus, or theatre to attend on-campus performances and interact directly with visiting artists.
Since 2005, APA’s Educational Outreach program has reached more than 11,000 students throughout Aiken County. Through APA’s efforts, students gain access to a wide variety of musical programs and meaningful artist interactions that are not only educational and informative, but also engaging and inspiring.
We are honored to support APA’s mission and remain committed to expanding arts education opportunities for young people in our
Since 2005, APA’s Educational Outreach program has reached more than 11,000 students throughout Aiken County. Through APA’s efforts, students gain access to a wide variety of musical programs and meaningful artist interactions that are not only educational and informative, but also engaging and inspiring.
We are honored to support APA’s mission and remain committed to expanding arts education opportunities for young people in our
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providing instruments to students
With our focus on supporting the future of the arts, we also recognize how repurposing and recycling can benefit talented students. Carhill collects unused musical instruments from community members and donates them to Aiken County Public Schools and to USC Aiken through Aiken Performing Arts’ Instruments in the Attic program.
As school budgets for the arts continue to shrink or disappear, the need for instruments has become critical. This year, we donated a flute, clarinet, saxophone, and drum.
We are always seeking additional instrument donations to support this effort. If you have — or know someone who has — an instrument that is no longer needed, please contact us. We will gladly arrange pickup and ensure it is put back into the hands of student musicians.
As school budgets for the arts continue to shrink or disappear, the need for instruments has become critical. This year, we donated a flute, clarinet, saxophone, and drum.
We are always seeking additional instrument donations to support this effort. If you have — or know someone who has — an instrument that is no longer needed, please contact us. We will gladly arrange pickup and ensure it is put back into the hands of student musicians.
New Partnership
We are proud to announce our newest partnership with the University of South Carolina Aiken.
The Carhill Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts has established an ongoing scholarship at USC Aiken to support students pursuing careers in the visual and performing arts. This scholarship will empower talented students to follow their passion with fewer financial barriers as they work toward achieving their dreams.
The first Carhill Scholarship at USC Aiken will be awarded in 2026 and will support a student for two semesters.
As we are more than just a charitable foundation, a core part of our mission is to maintain a lasting relationship with each scholarship recipient. We are committed to fostering their artistic growth, supporting their success, and walking alongside them as they learn, create, and build their careers.
The Carhill Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts has established an ongoing scholarship at USC Aiken to support students pursuing careers in the visual and performing arts. This scholarship will empower talented students to follow their passion with fewer financial barriers as they work toward achieving their dreams.
The first Carhill Scholarship at USC Aiken will be awarded in 2026 and will support a student for two semesters.
As we are more than just a charitable foundation, a core part of our mission is to maintain a lasting relationship with each scholarship recipient. We are committed to fostering their artistic growth, supporting their success, and walking alongside them as they learn, create, and build their careers.
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Public School Outreach
As part of our partnership with Aiken Performing Arts (APA), we are proud to have sponsored two of their community outreach programs this year. APA’s outreach initiative is a collaborative effort with Aiken County Schools that brings professional performers into local schools to share their talents, insights, and experiences. Through this partnership, Aiken County Schools coordinates opportunities for students involved in music, band, chorus, or theatre to attend on-campus performances and interact directly with visiting artists.
This year, we sponsored two exceptional programs: The Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute and Jaimee Paul’s “Bonded” – A Salute to the Music of James Bond. These performances offered students memorable, high-quality artistic experiences while exposing them to diverse genres and professional-level musicianship.
Since 2005, APA’s Educational Outreach program has reached more than 11,000 students throughout Aiken County. Through APA’s efforts, students gain access to a wide variety of musical programs and meaningful artist interactions that are not only educational and informative, but also engaging and inspiring.
We are honored to support APA’s mission and remain committed to expanding arts education opportunities for young people in our
This year, we sponsored two exceptional programs: The Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute and Jaimee Paul’s “Bonded” – A Salute to the Music of James Bond. These performances offered students memorable, high-quality artistic experiences while exposing them to diverse genres and professional-level musicianship.
Since 2005, APA’s Educational Outreach program has reached more than 11,000 students throughout Aiken County. Through APA’s efforts, students gain access to a wide variety of musical programs and meaningful artist interactions that are not only educational and informative, but also engaging and inspiring.
We are honored to support APA’s mission and remain committed to expanding arts education opportunities for young people in our
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providing instruments to students
Through our partnership with APA, we have been able to collect and deliver instruments to students through their Instruments in Your Attic Program. With the Instruments in Your Attic program, APA collects gently used instruments from the community, refurbishes them, and donates them to schools in need of that particular instrument. Hundreds of instruments, ranging from guitars and flutes to pianos and trumpets, have found new homes with worthy students in Aiken County.
New Partnership
We are especially excited to announce our first sponsorship — a partnership with Aiken Performing Arts (APA) to support their Educational Outreach program. As part of APA’s strategic plan to give back to the community, they have partnered with Aiken County Schools to bring world-class performers into local schools to share their talents and experiences. Students involved in music, band, chorus, or theatre are invited to attend on-campus performances, interact with visiting artists, and gain insight into the professional arts world.
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Gifted Student Award
Carhill Scholarship was pleased to award Lisa West, a talented high school art student, with our first Gifted Student Award. This award is given to students whom school administrators, teachers, and our Foundation identify as gifted young artists with a passion for the visual or performing arts. The award helps deliver supplies, lessons, equipment, or other types of support to young students.
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