(A) There is established the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities to provide training for exceptional artistically talented students and serve as a research and resource center for all students and teachers in South Carolina. The school is dedicated to serving talented students in South Carolina who show exceptional talent, promise, aptitude, and interest in creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts. This residential school shall provide intensive pre- professional and professional instruction in the arts and a strong academic and humanities program which will lead to a high school diploma and college credits.

(B)(1) The arts instructional program must be comprised of faculty who hold advanced degrees in recognized arts fields including, but not limited to, dance, music, theater or drama, visual arts, and creative writing, and previously have taught students in a pre-professional and professional arts instructional program setting or are practicing master artists whose professional expertise can be demonstrated by their training and accomplishments as recognized by state or national arts organizations and affiliations. As an alternative to traditional certification, the faculty for pre-professional and professional instruction shall participate annually in master artists professional development programs. These programs must be modeled from national research-based professional development standards for instructional and practicing master artists. Pursuant to this chapter, the school’s board of directors shall adopt policies and regulations governing development of the arts instructional program. The school’s annual accountability report must include information on the arts instructional program and faculty participation.

(2) The academic program must be comprised of faculty who hold one or more degrees in the specific subject to be taught and who must have achieved traditional state certification in the area of instruction and may have national board teacher certification. State and national teacher certification must be maintained pursuant to state law and regulations.