The South Carolina Arts Commission announced its third leadership change of the month at its Oct. 15 board meeting; the commission's current interim executive director, who has served in the position since July, will transfer to a deputy director role.
Outgoing Interim Director Ashley Brown had already spent time as a commission senior deputy director before her stint as the agency lead. She will sub out for Ce Scott-Fitts, whom the commission's board unanimously selected as the new interim director. Scott-Fitts is the agency's current interim senior deputy director.
While it was not said at the meeting, the agency's communications director confirmed to SC Public Radio that the appointment is effective Friday.
Scott-Fitts, who has a master's degree in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art, has worked as a commission deputy director since 2022. In July, she took over Brown's previous role and become the interim senior deputy director.
She also worked as the commission's artist development director, and her experience extends beyond commission positions. She has taught as an instructor at Central Piedmont Community College and served as the McColl Center for Arts' creative director — both of which are in Charlotte.
The director restructure followed the announcement of two board members' resignation. Board member Russell "Rip" Parks and Board Chairwoman Flavia Harton will both resign effective Friday, Oct. 16. Thursday's meeting was the pair's last.
Parks and Harton resigned following an Oct. 1 board decision to deny two LGBTQ+ groups state grant money. Parks cast one of the five votes that denied the funding, while Harton as the chair only votes in the event of a tie and did not participate in the vote.
The commissioned announced Harton's resignation Oct. 5 and Parks' resignation Oct. 12. Each sent letters to Gov. Henry McMaster and Secretary of State Mark Hammond of their pending resignation. Both cited personal time restraints as their reason for departure.
Harton said Thursday that she was grateful for her time on the board and was excited to see the commission under Scott-Fitts.
"She, Kimberly [Washburn Motte] and Ashley work really well together, and the commissioners are very excited to appoint you to be an interim executive director into the future of the Arts Commission."
Although the positions will soon be vacant, neither will be promptly filled. Board members voted against selecting a new board chair at Thursday's meeting.
In a gaggle with reporters Tuesday, McMaster told South Carolina Public Radio's Maayan Schechter that he was not sure when a replacement for Parks would come. Board members at-large are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate for three-year terms.
McMaster said the public scrutiny that can come with the role and unpaid nature of the position deter people from serving.
"When something like this comes along, where they're using their best judgement, and there's always in these things the threat of getting sued, adverse publicity at your business and all that," he said in reference to the board resignations and some public reaction to the two grant denials. "A lot of people just — that's one thing that holds people back from accepting these positions."
The board's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2027.
