O’Malley Receives Governor’s Award for the Arts

Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Richard O’Malley has received South Carolina’s highest honor in the arts. The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) has announced him as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Governor’s Award for the Arts in Education.

Dr. Erick Figueras, Florence 1’s Director of Arts and Innovative Programs, said that the Governor's Award is a well-earned recognition for O’Malley.

“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.”

This recognition celebrates O’Malley’s unwavering support of the arts, having championed investments in equipment, staffing, and building renovations across Florence 1 Schools over the last seven years. 

“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.”

According to SCAC, this award recognizes “organizations, patrons, artists, members of the business community, and government entities who maximize their roles as innovators, supporters and advocates of the arts.” Previous awardees include Dr. Minuette Floyd,  professor of art education at the University of South Carolina School of Visual Art and Design; the American College of the Building Arts; and the non-profit organization Engaging Creative Minds.

“On behalf of the Florence One Board of Trustees, I am delighted to learn of Dr. O’Malley’s selection as recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Award for the Arts,” said Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees Chairman Porter Stewart. “He has been a consistent and tireless advocate for the critical importance of having arts education in a position of priority in our schools. As a result, resources necessary for achieving excellence in arts education have followed, as has the attraction of talented instructors and students into the arts programs of our school system. And it’s true, and we see it: as the arts thrive in our schools, so too do our students and our community. In short, the lives of all have been touched, but for our students, their lives have been greatly enriched. So, yes, the vision of one can be transformational and, here, has been.”