Friends of the Tapp's Arts Center

Tapp's Outpost is Columbia's first cultural entrepreneurship arts incubator. We serve as a laboratory for community engagement and exploration while encouraging artistic agency through strategic support and resources that encourage learning and growth for creators seeking opportunity in the local arts sector.

Our Story
From 2011 to 2019, Tapp's Arts Center was situated in its namesake building at the corner of Main and Blanding streets in downtown Columbia. The department store turned arts center answered the need for a multipurpose gathering place for creative exploration envisioned by the city, developers, and the arts community. The design and architecture of the iconic building reflect the streamlined form and kinetic lines of "Depression Modern" style. As a department store, it boasted wraparound storefront windows, two floors, bridal suite, soda fountain, and large cobalt glass wall. As Tapp's Arts Center, it boasted three performance venues, professional art gallery, window display exhibition space, photography darkroom, and 28 artist studios.

In 2019, the arts center lost its lease to the building and was invited to re-situate in Five Points. Introspection throughout this transition clarified the essential goals of the arts center: to provide experience and practice for emerging artists to develop their projects; to provide a community of peers to help artists realize their vision; and to provide a safe space for our community to translate the infinite possibilities of the human condition. With this revelation came a new identity as Tapp's Outpost Art Space - a harbor for artists to collect experience, resources and confidence for the wayward journey of life.

Growing Local Artists - Tapp's Outpost Incubator at A Glance:

- Professional gallery, sound stage, safe space, home base, and strategic support to more than 1000 artists to date
- Celebrating 234 cultural entrepreneurs to date - 43% of whom pursued arts-related careers prior to working with Tapp's , 56% were new to producing a public cultural event, and 80% report establishing professional careers in the arts
- Collaborations with artists to present more than 105 major exhibitions and over 650 performances
- Increasing access to creativity with low-cost art studios available to novices and hobbyists, as well as advanced, exceptional artists whose talents resonate beyond central South Carolina
- Build and maintain relationships with artists, arts leaders, non-profits, and artist-owned businesses in order to strengthen our network of resources for cultural entrepreneurs:
Artists U
The Jasper Project
The Watering Hole
Owlette Academy
Infinite Room
Carolina Film Network
University of SC
McKissick Museum
Deckle Edge
POV
Savvy Musician
"Songversation" with Al Black
The Nickelodeon
Trustus Theatre
701 CCA
SC Arts Commission
One Columbia
Local arts collectives