Leaders of the Charleston Gilliard Center gave City Council an update Oct. 28 on programming, economic impact and arts-education work after 10 years of operation as a public-private partnership.

Lisa Frankel, president and CEO of the Gilliard Center, said the building's operating model uses rental income from conferences and events to help finance artistic programming and education. Frankel said the center's $13 million operating budget is roughly split among rental revenue (about one-third), ticket sales (about one-third) and contributed revenue including city support.

Frankel highlighted economic impacts from major events: the library conference and the Food & Wine Classic generate significant direct and secondary spending in Charleston, she said. She also described new artistic commissions and partnerships, including a planned world-premiere ballet titled Dark Water (partnership with the Charleston Symphony) and an outdoor projection project called Monuments that will spotlight local unsung heroes.

Sterling DeVries, vice president of education and community outreach, described the center's education work: the program now serves about 30,000 students annually (70% from Title I schools), has reached 200,000 students cumulatively, and has invested about $5 million in education programming over 10 years. DeVries said the center subsidizes student bus transportation and provides $10-ticket programs and accommodations for neurodivergent attendees.

Frankel asked the city to continue collaborating with arts institutions on cultural programming and noted the center's role in positioning Charleston as a regional cultural hub.