Florence, South Carolina – Richard O’Malley, the superintendent of Florence 1 Schools, has been awarded South Carolina’s highest prize in the arts. This award honors his years of work to improve kids’ creative opportunities.
The South Carolina Arts Commission said on Tuesday that O’Malley received the 2026 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Education. This award is given to people and groups that make a big difference in getting people involved in the arts across the state.
The award honors O’Malley’s consistent support for arts education over his seven years as head of the Florence 1 Schools.
He led the district to invest in new equipment, hire more staff, and make upgrades to facilities, which helped arts programs thrive throughout the school system.
District executives claim that these measures have given students and instructors greater freedom to be creative and have made the arts a bigger part of the overall educational experience.
Dr. Erick Figueras, the Director of Arts and Innovative Programs at Florence 1, said that the award was both important and well-deserved.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Dr. O’Malley on receiving the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts in Education,” Figueras said.
“This honor is richly deserved and meaningful to all of us who serve in the arts across Florence One. His leadership has made clear that the arts are essential to a complete education. Because of his steadfast support, our teachers and students have been empowered to create boldly and pursue excellence. On behalf of our entire arts staff, I am deeply grateful for his advocacy and commitment. His support for arts education powerfully exemplifies what district leadership can and should be.”
O’Malley expressed gratitude for the honor while crediting the district’s leadership and community for helping make those advances possible.
“I am deeply honored to receive the highest award for the arts in South Carolina,” O’Malley said.
“This recognition reflects not only a personal milestone, but the unwavering commitment of our Board of Trustees, whose support and bold investment of millions of dollars have demonstrated that the arts are not an extra — they are a priority. Because of their vision, creativity is thriving in our schools, and our students are reaping the lifelong benefits of a rich and vibrant arts education in Florence 1 Schools.”
The Governor’s Award for the Arts was set up by the South Carolina Arts Commission to honor people and groups who support the arts and cultural growth. Those who have received the award include teachers, nonprofits, corporations, and institutions that have helped make the state’s arts scene stronger.
Dr. Minuette Floyd, an art education professor at the University of South Carolina, the American College of the Building Arts, and the NGO Engaging Creative Minds are some of the past winners.
Porter Stewart, the chairman of the Florence 1 Board of Trustees, noted that O’Malley’s leadership has changed the district’s arts programs for the better by giving students more resources, great teachers, and chances to learn.
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Stewart added that as arts education has grown, the advantages have gone beyond the classroom. They have made the community better and shown how important it is to put creativity first in public schools.
