Spotlight

The Savannah Cultural Arts Center (SCAC), built in 2019, is a premiere visual and performing arts facility. It serves as a creative meeting space for residents, the local arts community, and organizations to experience, engage with, and create art. To further the access to the arts and performing opportunities for local nonprofits, the City of Savannah Cultural Resources will offer free or discounted use of the SCAC's performing arts spaces through SPOTLIGHT: Facility Use Program.
The SCAC is located at 201 Montgomery St, Savannah.

2024 Spotlight Applications are now open!

Watch the Nov 2 Information Session here.

Review the Submission Guidelines here.

Savannah Cultural Arts Center

Ben Tucker Theater

Ben Tucker Theater

Performance on Stage

SPOTLIGHT: Facility Usage Program

The Spotlight Facility Usage Program provides a subsidy for nonprofit organizations to purchase rental space at a free or discounted rate from the Savannah Cultural Arts Center (SCAC) on select dates throughout the year. Subsidy amounts are based on an organization’s operating budget. Organizations will receive rental space along with audio/visual technical and administrative support staff.

The Cultural Affairs Commission Spotlight Subcommittee will evaluate applications to determine eligibility requirements and give priority to programming that is most beneficial to the community that:

• Expands art and culture to new audiences and participants
• Engages, develops, and inspires underserved communities and populations
• Enriches the quality of life in Savannah

Program Criteria

Projects can encompass a variety of artistic disciplines and a range of program formats, including theatre productions, musical ensembles, dance performances, literary programs, and culturally based projects.  

The Cultural Affairs Commission Spotlight Subcommittee will evaluate applications based on the program’s artistic merit, design, implementation plan, level of community engagement, diversity of participating performers and artists, and the appropriateness of the program for a variety of diverse audiences.

Program Allowances

Applicants will receive rental of the Ben Tucker Theatre or the Studio Theatre at a free or reduced rental price with the following services:

• 1 performance in the Ben Tucker or Studio Theatre
• 1 technical rehearsal 
• 1 dress rehearsal
• 1 audio/visual technician
• 1 front desk staff
• 1 SCAC manager
• 1 cleaning crew
• Use of concession area

The Ben Tucker Theater is a modern auditorium with full lighting and sound capabilities along with stadium seating for 338 attendees. The theater provides a professional setting for film screenings, plays, musicals, and recitals. Review Ben Tucker specs here. The Studio Theater is a black box-style theater which hosts an array of events and activities from art lectures to dance classes. 

2024 Spotlight Date Availability

Available dates for Winter 2024 are below. Performance may take place on Friday evening, Saturday Matinee, or Saturday evening.

• February: Thursday, February 22nd - Saturday, February 24th
• March: Thursday, March 21st - Saturday, March 23rd
• April: Thursday, April 18th - Saturday, April 20th

*Availability of allocated dates/times are subject to change. 

Guidelines and Application Period

Please review the Spotlight Facility Usage Program Guidelines for additional details on program’s requirements and restrictions.
Spotlight application periods open twice a year, and operate on a rolling basis as needed or determined by the Cultural Affairs Commission.

GUIDELINES

Applications will open on October 16th. All applications must be submitted through the Neighborly system. New users must create an account in Neighborly to access the Spotlight Facility Use Program application; returning users may log in through their existing account.

Neighborly login

Information Session

Watch the information session that took place on November 2 by clicking here. 

Application Timeline

October 16, 2023 - Applications Open
December 31, 2023 - Applications Due at 5:00pm
January 5, 2024 - Notice of Awards Sent

Please reach out the Contracts Coordinator at SCACcontracts@savannahga.gov with questions related to the Spotlight Facility Use Program.

Spotlight 2023 Recipients 

100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc.  (Play)
Young Warriors Saturday, February 4 7:00pm	This play is about a group of Africa youth going through a rite of passage process. The actors will present the story of overcoming challenges to meet a common goal. During the play attendees will see the developed of these actors from scared kids to Warriors. 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc. has multiple mentoring programs, and during their work with young people will find diamonds in the rough who are interested in the arts. They are encouraged to develop their talents, and with practice, mentoring, and coaching 100 Black Men often ends up with excellent talent pools of students ready to participate in activities like this play.
Over the Moon Diaper Bank (Dance Theater)
Have I Told You About the Time… by Lauren Ohmer  Saturday, March 11 7:00pm, doors at 6:30pm	"Have I Told You About the Time..." is a semi-biographical, dance theater piece weaving together true stories, candid conversations, and figurative snapshots of the life of a man (as a son, a Vietnam War Veteran, and a father) told through the eyes of his daughter, who is pregnant with a son of her own. The narrative unfolds through a series of vignettes as a solo female performer brings to life different characters using dance, spoken text (in English and Spanish), and a backdrop of original film projections.  A whimsical soundtrack accompanies our audience along this journey of experiences and emotions, with music ranging from Maurice Ravel and Elvis Presley, to classical Spanish guitar and 60's R&B/funk. Also included are unscripted audio recordings of our aging hero, wistfully recounting past events (some humorous, some hair-raising) as a helicopter pilot in the war, and his present-day reflections on death and what lies beyond. "Have I Told You About the Time..." is a heartfelt tribute to family and a celebration of life. Lauren Ohmer is a choreographer, performer, and Savannah native. OVER THE MOON is the diaper & period supply bank for Savannah and Coastal Georgia. We believe in dignity for all, no matter how big or small.
Building Bridges Enterprise Inc (Dance Performance)
Harmony in Motion: Celebrating Diversity through Dance Saturday, August 26 Time TBD	An inclusive and captivating dance performance that showcases the beauty of cultural diversity! Through vibrant choreography, colorful costumes, and engaging narratives, the audience is taken on a journey that celebrates unity, cultural understanding, and the power of dance to transcend boundaries. Since 2019, Building Bridges Enterprises has gained the momentum to build thriving communities by supporting the needs of men, women, and the youth through educational, economical, and psychological resources.
Moving All Races to Higher Achievement MARTHA (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
"Aftershock"  and a discussion on Black maternal health in America Saturday, Sep 16 Time TBD	MARTHA Inc will screen the film Aftershock which narrates the fact that Black women, independent of their socioeconomic status, are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than other ethnic groups. Georgia has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the country. Black women and birthing people die in childbirth at more than twice the rate as white women and birthing people in Georgia. Most of these pregnancy-related deaths are preventable and this program will explore creative ways to educate and advocate for change. Immediately following the film screening, a panel will discuss the challenge as it relates to black women in our local community.
Keepers of the Flame Foundation, Inc (Gallery and Lecture)
Honor Her: Reframing Beauty & Understanding Breast Cancer Friday, October 13 6:00-7:00pm	With a partnership with Avant photography and investment provided by City of Savannah’s Weave a Dream Program, Keepers of the Flame is creating a traveling gallery by providing breast cancer patients with Empowerment Photography Sessions. At this event the gallery will be on display and accompanied with a lecture and panel of key professionals and influencers. Mission statement:  To shine light into the darkness, empowering breast cancer patients to weather breast cancer both physically and emotionally.

Tybee Ballet Theatre (Dance)

The Land of the Sweets Saturday, November 18 Times TBD

Tybee Ballet Theatre will be performing excerpts from Act II, Land of the Sweets, from the classical ballet The Nutcracker. Performers will be cast as perspective “sweets” that Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are entertained with while journeying through the “land of the sweets.”  A diverse group of student performers of ranging abilities from all over the Savannah area will perform.  Tybee Ballet Theatre offers professional instruction to students regardless of their financial constraints with the goal of developing local youth’s appreciation and knowledge of performing arts regardless of skill level or financial ability.