I'm really not sure why it took us so long to post something on this, but last week Redux Contemporary Art Center announced they were the lucky recipients of a $70,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for this year and next.

The money will be put to helping bring more and better "exhibitions, lectures, films and artist residencies," said the Center in a release.

Since 2000 there have only been four grants from the Foundation given to institutions in South Carolina, last year the College of Charleston's Halsey Institute received $80,000, and in 2000 Spoleto received $50,000. 

At any rate, here's the announcement from Redux:

Redux Contemporary Art Center announces the award of a $70,000 program grant from the esteemed Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts for 2010 and 2011.

Established in 1987 in accordance with Warhol’s will, the foundation’s objective is to foster innovative artistic expression and the creative processes that support artists and their work. The Foundation values the contribution that organizations like Redux make to artists and audiences and to society as a whole by supporting, exhibiting and interpreting a broad spectrum of contemporary artistic practice. The Foundation is focused primarily on supporting work of a challenging and often experimental nature. In this regard the Foundation encourages curatorial research leading to new scholarship in the field of contemporary art.

The Foundation is committed to the precept that the arts are essential to an open, enlightened democracy. It therefore seeks to advance an inclusive cultural dialogue by providing resources to organizations that support artists reflecting a diverse society and by affirming that freedom of artistic expression is fundamental to such a society and must be vigorously protected. To advance these values, grants are awarded to not-for-profit organizations in the United States. Today Andy Warhol’s impact on artists, art institutions and the creative culture of our country is stronger than ever. The Foundation’s programs and initiatives continue to evolve and expand to address the needs of the visual arts community nationwide.

Over the past seven years, the exhibition program at Redux has expanded to include international and national artists whose work has never been exhibited in South Carolina. Through their work, these artists introduce Charleston to issues in contemporary art that would be nearly unavailable to the public otherwise. The exhibitions at Redux showcase artists who ask tough questions and make works that please, astonish and sometimes unsettle audiences. Working with a limited budget and support from the community, Redux has managed to bring many outstanding, challenging contemporary artists to Charleston. Redux currently presents six to eight exhibitions a year, featuring work by internationally renowned and local, emerging and mid-career artists.

As Redux moves into its eighth year, these funds will provide additional support for its innovative and thought-provoking exhibitions, lectures, films and artist residencies.

To learn more about how you can support the programs at Redux, click here.