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TO HONOR SUSIE SURKAMER FOR HER MANY ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARTS, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.
Whereas, for thirty-five years, Susie Surkamer has dedicated her career to the development of a thriving arts environment in which all South Carolina citizens have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from the arts; and
Whereas, her work with the South Carolina Arts Commission began in 1974 when she joined the agency as a dancer-in-residence. In 1977, she moved into arts administration as an arts coordinator and in 1978 she was promoted to director of the agency's Arts Development Division; and
Whereas, she was named deputy director in 1988 and was elevated to the position of executive director in 1994; and
Whereas, guided by her vision and drive, the agency earned a national reputation as a leader in the arts for its work in cultural planning, arts education, arts advocacy, public participation, community design, and other initiatives; and
Whereas, she has played leadership roles in the Arts in Basic Curriculum Project (with the South Carolina Department of Education and Winthrop University), the S.C. Design Arts Partnership (with Clemson University), the Literary Arts Partnership (with the State Library and the Humanities Council S.C.), and a multi-agency partnership to revive the state's VSA arts chapter to serve people with disabilities through the arts (with the Department of Education, the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, and the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind); and
Whereas, during Ms. Surkamer's tenure as executive director, the S.C. Arts Commission has been recognized with two national Innovation Awards from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies for the Arts in Basic Curriculum Project and the S.C. Design Arts Partnership; and
Whereas, she is immediate past chair of the Southern Arts Federation, treasurer of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, a board member of the South Carolina Alliance for Arts Education, a member of the Winthrop University Board of Visitors, the President's Advisory Council for Clemson University, and a member of the South Carolina Rural Development Council; and
Whereas, in 2007, Winthrop University presented her with its Medal of Honor in the Arts award; and
Whereas, in 2008, she was recognized by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies with the Gary Young Award, given for exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, enduring commitment to public support for the arts, and dedication to diverse artistic expression; and
Whereas, the General Assembly of South Carolina finds it fitting to honor such commitment to excellence. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, honors Susie Surkamer for her many achievements and contributions to the arts and congratulates her on the occasion of her retirement.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Ms. Surkamer.
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