4 S.C. areas earn recertification as cultural districts.

• Position: Congaree Vista, Lancaster, Rock Hill, Spartanburg in South Carolina

The original four South Carolina cultural districts have earned recertification in a program launched in 2015 to attract artistic enterprise and promote economic development.

The Congaree Vista, Lancaster, Rock Hill and Spartanburg all earned recertification through 2027, according to a news release from the South Carolina Arts Commission. The organization defines cultural districts as walkable, easily identifiable centers of artistic and economic activity with a concentration of cultural facilities, activities and assets. Cultural districts often feature art galleries, theaters, museums and museums in addition to parks, restaurants and other commercial activity.

David Platts, SCAC executive director, approved the recertification at the recommendation of reviewer Jason Rapp, program director for the South Carolina Cultural Districts program. The SCAC reviews annual reports and action plans submitted by the districts and, every five years after designation, evaluates those eligible for recertification.

"The South Carolina Arts Commission commends these districts for many things, but top-of-mind right now is the way they didn't allow the upside-down pandemic world of lockdowns and restrictions to take their focus off arts and creativity," Platts said in the release. "The reports...