Thursday, April 28th
Cocktails served at 6:30pm
Dinner served at 7pm
Marquee Society members may RSVP to kpatterson@rivercenter.org or (706)256-3618 by close of business on Friday, April 22nd.
About Suzette Surkamer
Suzette “Susie” Surkamer serves as Executive Director of South Arts, Inc. Founded in 1975, as one of six regional arts organizations, South Arts works in collaboration with nine state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts to promote and support arts in the south.
Prior to joining South Arts in November 2012, Surkamer served as Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Commission. Her work with the Commission began in 1974 when she joined the Commission as a dancer-in-residence. After working in the areas of arts development, arts education and administration, Surkamer was named executive director in 1994. Guided by her vision and drive, the agency earned a national reputation as a leader in the arts for its work in arts education reform, rural arts development, design arts and other initiatives.
Surkamer’s work in strengthening partnerships has led to her service on numerous state, regional and national boards and alliances. Her past service includes president of the board of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, treasurer of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, member of the Coca-Cola Scholarship National Selection Committee, member of the National Arts Education Partnership Steering Committee, member of the Winthrop University Board of Visitors, member of Clemson University’s President’s Advisory Committee, and on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and other organizations. Winthrop University awarded her its distinguished Medal of Honor in the Arts (2006), and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies recognized her with the Gary Young Award (2008). Susie earned a M.Ed. in dance education from George Washington University and a B.A. in dance from the University of Maryland.
