Tri-District Arts Consortium Celebrates 40th Anniversary

For Immediate Release – March 20, 2026 

Tri-District Arts Consortium Celebrates 40^th Anniversary

IRMO – Calling all Tri-DAC alumni, former teachers, staff, guest artists, parents and supporters of the arts to join us in a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Tri-District Arts Consortium to be held at the State Museum, Friday, March 27, 2026 from 7:00 until 10 p.m. General admission is $100, the proceeds from which will support student scholarships, special guest artists and performance events.

Tickets may be secured online at www.tridac.org. Sponsored by Lexington School District One, School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, and Richland School District Two, Tri-DAC serves artistically gifted and talented middle school students in the areas of creative writing, dance, music, theatre and visual arts. It was founded in 1986 by Dr. Stephen Hefner, then of Richland Two, Dr. Julie Long of Lexington One, Dr. Marjory Ward of Lexington-Richland Five and Dr. JamesCaldwell of Columbia College, where the program was hosted for 23 years.

Increased enrollment and a need to expand the program in 2009 led to a move to Richland Northeast High School where we are now hosted by the Palmetto Center for the Arts. Tri-DAC offers students a three-week summer intensive program, including daily classes taught by over 50 faculty and staff members, as well as workshop presentations from notable guest artists and special performance events.

Who knew in 1986 that we would be celebrating Tri-DAC’s 40th Anniversary? Certainly, we hoped that the program would grow, but it has thrived. Over four decades, Tri-DAC has served thousands of children and has made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of many who discovered their talent and love of the arts through their Tri-DAC experience. The program has become a model for similar programs throughout South Carolina and has won many accolades and awards over the years, including the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award, for outstanding achievement in arts education.

Many have contributed to Tri-DAC’s amazing success. The longevity of Tri-DAC truly belongs to the collective, including our three sponsoring school districts, students, teachers, guest artists, staff, parents, donors and volunteers who have shaped the organization. This milestone belongs to you—our community, whose passion and support have fueled our 'inner flame' for all these years.

This 40th anniversary beckons us to celebrate our enduring legacy and to look forward to the promise of new artistic horizons, reaffirming Tri-DAC as a welcoming open door to countless future young artists who deserve the opportunity to discover, explore and develop their talent.

We hope that you will honor us with your presence and enjoy an evening of art, music and reminiscing with old friends, as we celebrate 40 years of excellence in fostering creativity.

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