Young professionals find community through MAConnect, an arts-focused social club.
For anyone living in Greenville, it’s easy to see that art is integral to the city’s identity. Sides of buildings feature vibrant murals, arts-centered events frequently populate calendars, and the annual Artisphere festival celebrates art on a massive scale. Greenville is a community that supports its artists—and that’s not by accident. Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC) has a hand in propelling artistic growth through its many programs, including MAConnect. Formed in 2014, the organization created MAConnect for young professionals (20s–40s) who want to get involved in and support Greenville’s cultural amenities.
“MAConnect is a great way for young arts enthusiasts to learn more about Greenville’s thriving arts community—whether to start their personal collection or get more involved,” says Liz Cotner, development associate for MAC. An annual membership costs $75, which provides perks aplenty. Multiple events throughout the year offer members opportunities to meet new people, form connections with those who have similar interests, and experience exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities.
“We look for fun and unique ways to connect our members with local artists and arts organizations we support,” Cotner says. For example, MAConnect partners with Greenville Open Studios to host a bus tour, which begins with breakfast at MAC and proceeds with stops at select artists’ studios. Members also gather for a First Friday Group Gallery Crawl, as well as Scenic Sunday, which highlights a local artist or arts organization and allows members to learn about the artist’s creative processes in a more intimate setting.
Additionally, members receive invitations to special events, art receptions, and exhibit openings throughout the year. Outside of organized events, MAConnect members are encouraged to embark on their own artistic outings with the MAC ArtCard, which provides buy-one-get-one-free tickets for seven local performances at venues like Centre Stage, Greenville Theatre, and Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
Along with providing exclusive access to art events, a portion of the MAConnect membership fee goes to support MAC’s grants program, which allocates funds to local artists, artistic causes, and arts organizations. The beneficiaries of these grants often report back and showcase their work in a private setting for MAConnect members. It’s a unique opportunity to see how much of a difference membership support makes.
In the first quarter of 2023, MAC awarded $44,000 in grant funds to 22 applicants. Grants are awarded quarterly, and individual artists, art organizations, and schools are invited to apply. Go to greenvilearts.com/grants for more information.
To learn more about MAConnect, visit greenvillearts.com/maconnect.
