Did you
Know
That Aiken County was founded
by African Americans?
Did you
Know
That The Alley was once a row
of businesses run by African Americans?
Did you
Know
That Aikens first Superintendent of
Schools was African American?
Did you
Know
That The Silver Bluff Baptist Church in Beech Island is one of the oldest
African American churches in America?
There is
a wealth of untapped riches that the Center for African American History, Art, &
Culture (CAAHAC) can bring to Aiken:
An educational resource focused on
our largely unknown local history and culture
A major opportunity for tourism as a
stop on the Heritage Corridor
A vehicle to showcase and enhance the
Aiken African American populations involvement in the arts
A forum for celebrating both Aikens
diversity and its sense of community
A
bridge for future generations to grow together in a shared past and united
future
Mission Statement
To preserve the
Immanuel Institute Building and to create interactive programs of sight and
sound that educate, inspire and demonstrate the many contributions of African
Americans to Aiken County, South Carolina and the region.
Vision
Preserve and restore the historic
Immanuel Institute building
Create a nexus of art, history and
culture
Chronicle important historical
contributions of African Americans in Aiken County through interactive
technology-based visitor attractions
Attract artists, artisans and
performers for exhibits, demonstrations and/or workshops
Complement Aikens other great
attractions
Serve as a stop on the South Carolina
Heritage Corridor
Create active partnerships to realize
mutual benefits of collaboration with local
Schools, colleges, universities and
distance learning centers
Museums
Visual and performing art centers
Create a bridge to help future
generations grow together based on a shared past and a united future
Capital Funding Plan
Accommodations Taxes
City of Aiken
Aiken County
Local Capital Campaign (individual
giving, special fundraising events)
Our Progress Toward the Vision
$360,000 city capital funding
approved:
Building purchased
County funding at work
Over $200,000 in cash pledges from
fundraising campaign for building improvements
First major event scheduled
Wynton Marsalis - 4/12/05
Programming under development
Collaboration discussions now
underway
Next Steps
Conduct communication campaign
Complete programming recommendation
Involve stakeholders in review
Continue collaboration/partnering
discussions
Execute restoration/development plan
Pursue additional sources of funding
(grants, etc.)
Learn from other similar facilities
Facility operational late 07/early 08
Center for African American History, Art
& Culture
A driving force for
Education
Tourism
Commerce
Celebration!
A rich history of
Diversity
Accomplishment
Unity!