Arts & Culture
The Charleston Gaillard Center is celebrating 10 years
For a decades, this cultural hub has continued its commitment to arts and education.
The Charleston Gaillard Center is one of our city’s true cultural gems, and 2025 marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Holy City. The Gaillard is a stunning downtown venue that hosts a wide range of events, from world-class symphonies and Broadway tours to jazz nights, dance performances, and inspiring speakers. It’s the kind of place where you can dress up for an elegant evening or bring the entire family for an afternoon of music or storytelling.
Established as a nonprofit in 2015, its campus features the exquisite 1,818-seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall, as well as a 16,000-square-foot exhibition hall, and an adjacent park space that has been recently activated for artistic presentations. The Gaillard brings a rich variety of arts and entertainment to Charleston, but what really sets the Gaillard apart is what happens beyond the stage.
More than 200,000 students have been served through its education and community programs since opening in 2015. Their programs are quietly transforming lives, especially for young people across the Lowcountry. Through student matinees, in-school workshops, and artist residencies, the Gaillard opens doors to the arts for thousands of local children, many of whom experience live performance for the very first time. As of 2025, they’ve served 100% of Charleston County School District public schools, further underscoring the Gaillard’s commitment to equity and access in the arts.
It’s more than just exposure to music or theater; it’s about sparking imagination, building confidence, and showing kids that creativity belongs to everyone. In a city renowned for its culture, the Gaillard is helping to ensure that the next generation of Charleston youth not only appreciates the Arts but also sees themselves as part of the Arts.
“Education has been at the heart of the Gaillard’s mission since day one,” said Sterling deVries, Vice President of Education & Community Outreach. “Surpassing 200,000 students served is a testament to the dedication of our team, our partners, and the incredible teachers and students who bring these programs to life. We are honored to be part of shaping the next generation through the arts.”
2025 also saw the appointment of Nicole Taney as the Galliard’s inaugural Vice President of Artistic Programming. This new role marked her return to Charleston, where she previously spent eight years as Director of Artistic Planning and Operations for Spoleto Festival USA.
“It’s an honor to join the Gaillard Center at this milestone moment and to come back to Charleston,” said Nicole Taney. “Looking ahead, I’m excited to build on the organization’s strong foundation and further its commitment to presenting ambitious, world-class programming that engages, challenges, and inspires. I look forward to deepening connections with our community and to shaping a bold artistic vision that reflects both Charleston’s cultural richness and the global stage.”
Finally, as part of its celebratory 10th season, The Galliard has commissioned an art installation, Monuments, by internationally acclaimed artist Craig Walsh, to celebrate the people who shape the spirit of Charleston today. Monuments will transform live portraits of local unsung heroes into large-scale video projections, illuminating trees surrounding the Gaillard.
“Monuments is about recognizing those whose everyday actions strengthen and uplift our community,” said Lissa Frenkel, President & CEO of the Charleston Gaillard Center.
The installation will be free and open to the public every evening beginning at 6:30PM from February 27, 2026, through March 31, 2026.
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