Arts, Historic Preservation& Philanthropy Committee | October 27, 2026

The City of Columbia Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee met on October 27, 2026. Members reviewed an application for a public monument honoring disabled American veterans from all service branches and eras. The applicant identified Fletcher Monument as the prospective fabricator, which had provided a quote and estimated timeline; no quote amount was stated. Fundraising is underway, including engraved bricks offered for $75 and corporate sponsorships at $150. Committee members expressed support, and there was consensus to advance the application to One Columbia to work with city staff on details. No formal vote or contract award was recorded.

The city poet laureate reported on four years of activities, including the Soda City Poetry Festival, and described funding from a $50,000 Academy of American Poets fellowship, a $5,000 South Arts grant, a $7,000 South Carolina Humanities grant, and $15,000 in city hospitality-tax support for poetry festivals. Committee members advocated seeking fuller hospitality-tax funding for future festivals and discussed continuity for the festival, but no funding decision was made. The poet laureate’s term ends December 31, 2026, and she agreed to prepare a final poem for a December council presentation.