Greenville, SC, Offers Creative Careers

Arts-centered professionals choose Greenville to build their legacies.

By Kelly Rogers on October 4, 2023

Stephen Stinson

Greenville, SC, has made a name for itself as a thriving hub for creatives seeking a vibrant and supportive community to build their careers. The city boasts a rich arts and entertainment scene, offering residents an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of artistic expression.

With a wide array of performing arts centers, diverse entertainment venues, and a community that wholeheartedly invests in and supports working artists, Greenville is a haven for those who yearn to pursue careers in the arts and entertainment.

Numerous artistic outlets and venues offer opportunities for these creatives to let their talents shine. Those interested in theater and performing arts may find a home at the Peace Center, Greenville Theatre or Centre Stage.

Musicians will find countless venues to perform at, such as the Radio Room and Smiley’s Acoustic Café, or take the stage at signature events like the Greenville Jazz Fest, which celebrates community, culture and jazz.

And for those in the art world, the Greenville Museum of Art, the Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University (M&G) and multiple private studio spaces across town also offer ample support.

Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University

Serving People Through Art

Erin Jones is executive director of M&G at Bob Jones University, where she has worked for the past 25 years. Jones moved to Greenville from Normal, Illinois, as a freshman to pursue a degree in fine arts education at Bob Jones University in 1989. She ended up getting a master’s degree and marrying a Greenville native. She has enjoyed seeing the community grow and change over the past 34 years.

“The visual arts have been strongly represented by talented studio artists and graphic designers for decades, and the community’s performing artists and venues continue to expand,” Jones says. “Something we value at M&G (as part of our mission) is the growing desire for stronger arts education in skill, understanding and appreciation for all ages.”

Jones has witnessed Greenville’s support for the arts firsthand over her tenure at M&G through financial support, regular attendance and sharing with others. Ultimately, connecting with the community through art is both a labor of love and an extension of her innate passion for the arts.

“I love the work because we serve people through art, which touches the whole person – mind, heart and soul,” Jones says. I’m grateful to get to work with beautiful things – the messages they speak, the life stories they have, the mysteries they mask. Even though the collection has Old Master paintings and ancient objects that are centuries old, these things reflect human experiences that are inspiring and universal and truths that are thought-provoking and eternal.”

Jeremy Fleming

In Harmony

A Greenville native, musician Seth Russell serves as principal cello for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

Russell, who moved out of state for a number of years in pursuit of higher education and other job opportunities, found his way back to Greenville when an opportunity arose to join the symphony – the symphony he grew up listening to as a child.

“I have memories as a young kid of going to the symphony’s Holiday at Peace concerts,” Russell says. “I remember loving going to those.”

In addition to leading the cello section, Russell also participates in a small ensemble series called Artists Up Close, which features trios, duos and quartets. He’s also a part of the symphony’s education outreach efforts, where the musicians go to every elementary school in Greenville County and do a presentation, teaching about the instruments and getting children excited about music.

So far, Russell’s completed two seasons with the symphony, but looks forward to many more.

“I think Greenville and the Greenville Symphony is a place where you can really invest yourself and set up shop long term,” he says. “There’s a lot of good things happening in the city and in the orchestra that I think will help it continue to not just keep going, but to grow into the future, which is what you want for an arts organization – to not be stagnant and keep growing.”