Millican Arts

Envisions a world where arts experiences connect every individual, regardless of their story or background.

We celebrate artists of all types who tell authentic stories about our universal human experiences.

“[The stories] are simply told and may be considered by those who consider it a dirty thing, to be message stories. We are in favor of message writing because the message can never be obscured.”
– Nikki Giovanni, Black World

We imagine a world united by the belief that everyone’s story matters.

WE BELIEVE

A community’s future is tied to honoring its cultural heritage
Quality arts education builds community bonds
Cultural preservation strengthens the community
Education and culture drive community prosperity

The Inspiration:

Dr. Arthenia Jackson Bates Millican

Dr. Arthenia Bates Jackson Millican, an internationally acclaimed American poet, short story writer, essayist, educator, lecturer and humanist.

Dr. Arthenia published numerous books of fiction, stories, essays and poetry . She studied with and was a protégé of Langston Hughes
Her work has been compared to powerful Black contemporary writers: Paul Laurence Dunbar, Zora Neale Hurston, Thomas Hardy, and Alice Walker
She spent a lifetime teaching English in high schools and universities across Virginia, South Carolina, and Louisiana
Her home in Sumter, South Carolina was designated a Literary Landmark on June 1st, 2019
A permanent collection of her papers will be housed in USC’s South Caroliniana Library
A permanent display on Arthenia’s legacy will be housed in the Sumter Military Museum

Arts Education

“Whose Story Is It?” Theatre Arts Curriculum

A six-week journey into theatre arts, built on Dr. Millican’s story “Little Jake” — where performance becomes a pathway to self-discovery, empathy, and community connection.

Story Trailer

Little Jake

A short introduction to “Little Jake” — the story at the heart of the curriculum — and the world of Whose Story Is It?

Watch Trailer