About Us

Midlands Arts Conservatory (MAC) is a free, public charter school located in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. MAC opened its door in August of 2018 to sixth and seventh grade students and will be adding a grade every year until the first senior class graduates in the spring of 2024. MAC is currently enrolling 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students interested in music, dance, theater, or visual art. In addition to a strong core of academics, students spend half the day exploring their passion for the arts. MAC will continue to add a grade yearly until we have a graduating senior class in the spring of 2024.

The school is a part of the South Carolina Public Charter School District and at full capacity will enroll 60 students per grade for a total enrollment of approximately 420. MAC students spend approximately half of the school day studying core academic courses and half their day in their chosen core fine arts course of study- dance, music (strings), theatre, or visual arts.

Mission Statement

The Midlands Arts Conservatory prepares students for arts-related careers, a lifelong appreciation of the arts, and for high quality postsecondary studies. The school provides an arts-enriched personalized learning environment, integrating academic rigor and quality arts instruction for all students.

Why should you choose MAC?

The Midlands Arts Conservatory differs from other schools by offering students in middle and high school the opportunity to receive a tuition-free public school education coupled with daily instruction in the fine arts from skilled and highly trained practicing artists. Many of the students enrolled in the school would not otherwise have the opportunity or ability to afford the lessons and training that the students receive at this school. Located in the heart of the growing North Main Street Corridor neighborhood in Columbia, S.C., MAC strives to be a shining light for arts education in the Midlands.

Current research shows how important the arts are in the development of the brain – we know that there is a direct correlation between the arts and SAT scores, school attendance, and career success. We know that students who had intensive arts experiences in high school were three times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than students who lacked those experiences. We know that businesses love having students with arts backgrounds because they are disciplined and focused. MAC is building on these facts in creating a curriculum that offers a standards based academic program with a flexible schedule that integrates the arts into the academic program, and academics into the arts program.

The Midlands Arts Conservatory is preparing students for arts ­related careers, a lifelong appreciation of the arts, and for high quality post-secondary studies. The school is providing an arts-enriched personalized learning environment, integrating academic rigor and quality arts instruction.

What MAC is doing is vitally important to our city and our society. We are passing on our culture — a universal language which crosses boundaries and facilitates understanding. As the Charleston sculptor Willard Hirsch said when he addressed the cadets of the Citadel in 1948: “Art is a language, and a powerful one. All of us should know at least a few words in it”.

Employment Opportunities

We are GROWING! MAC is seeking teachers and staff members who are student-focused and who actively seek out opportunities to engage students in high-level learning activities. Midlands Arts Conservatory is committed to actively promoting diversity among its faculty and staff.

Please email a cover letter and resume to pasquail.bates@midlandsartsconservatory.org expressing your interests.