January 28, 2026

MOJA Festival Gears Up for Cultural Celebrations in Charleston

Charleston, SC, January 28, 2026

The MOJA Arts Festival is preparing for a vibrant showdown of Black arts and culture in Charleston. With Artistic Director Charlton Singleton at the helm, the festival aims to enhance community engagement and celebrate African and Caribbean legacies through diverse artistic expressions. Upcoming events include ‘The Roots of a Renaissance’ and ‘Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience,’ highlighting the festival’s commitment to cultural growth and educational outreach for youth in the area.

Charleston, SC

MOJA Festival Readies Charleston for 2026 Cultural Delights

Charleston is gearing up for another vibrant year of the MOJA Arts Festival in 2026, with Artistic Director Charlton Singleton having recently highlighted some of the exciting events on the horizon. This annual celebration of Black arts and culture stands as a testament to civic innovation, the power of personal initiative, and the enduring benefits of robust community engagement in fostering cultural enrichment.

The MOJA Arts Festival consistently showcases how local leadership and dedicated volunteers can orchestrate a large-scale cultural event that resonates deeply within the Charleston County community. By bringing together diverse artistic expressions and educational opportunities, the festival enhances the quality of life and stimulates cultural dialogue, all while demonstrating the effectiveness of community-driven initiatives in supporting the arts and fostering a thriving South Carolina SC gatherings scene.

Charlton Singleton’s Vision for Cultural Growth

As the Artistic Director of the MOJA Arts Festival, Charlton Singleton plays a pivotal role in shaping its artistic direction and impact. Appointed to this esteemed position in March 2023, Singleton is not only a respected trumpeter, vocalist, and composer but also a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group Ranky Tanky. His distinguished career also includes receiving the 2021 South Carolina Governor’s Award, the highest honor for the arts in the state. Singleton’s vision for MOJA centers on continuous growth, striving to introduce new artists and maintain a fresh, exciting program for the Lowcountry audience. His personal initiative and artistic achievement are instrumental in curating a festival that both honors tradition and embraces innovation, drawing on a vast network of artist colleagues to enrich the festival’s offerings.

A Rich Tapestry of Arts and Culture

The MOJA Arts Festival is an annual multi-disciplinary festival dedicated to celebrating Black arts and culture, alongside the significant artistic contributions derived from African American and Caribbean legacies. This extensive celebration encompasses a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, storytelling, and theatre. Beyond performances, the festival also features children’s activities, traditional crafts, and local foodways, ensuring a comprehensive cultural experience for attendees. The festival’s expansive programming is often presented across five stages, attracting an estimated attendance of 60,000 individuals each year.

Community-Driven Success: Partnerships and Volunteerism

A cornerstone of MOJA’s sustained success is its strong foundation in community partnership and volunteer effort. The festival is produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the MOJA Planning Committee, an entirely volunteer-based community arts and cultural group. Further support comes from the MOJA Advisory Board, composed of civic leaders who contribute to fundraising and advocacy, and the Friends of MOJA, a patron circle of individual and corporate donors. This multi-tiered structure, emphasizing local choice and leadership, demonstrates how community involvement and private partnerships can effectively drive significant cultural events. The reliance on volunteer dedication and civic support helps streamline operations and fosters a sense of collective ownership within the Charleston County community, highlighting the advantages of limited bureaucracy in cultural event coordination.

Educational Outreach and Youth Development

MOJA is deeply committed to educational enrichment, offering programming that extends beyond mere entertainment to cultivate learning and development. The festival includes literary lectures, educational outreach programs for students and educators, writing workshops, dance master classes, and various musical and heritage presentations. This focus on education underscores a commitment to nurturing future generations and ensuring the longevity of cultural appreciation within the Charleston SC events landscape. These accessible programs exemplify how personal initiative within the arts can create lasting positive impacts on youth, encouraging engagement and fostering new talent without excessive external mandates.

Upcoming Highlights for 2026

As Charleston looks ahead to 2026, the MOJA Arts Festival has already slated specific events for early in the year. In February 2026, the Dock Street Theatre will host “The Roots of a Renaissance” on February 9, an exhibit celebrating Lowcountry poets, artists, and storytellers, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Black History Month. The following evening, February 10, will feature “Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience” at the same venue, a concert by vocal powerhouse Javetta Campbell. While these February events set an early tone, the main annual MOJA Arts Festival typically enlivens the city from late September into early October, promising additional South Carolina SC gatherings and cultural experiences as the year progresses.

Funding the Cultural Fabric

The MOJA Arts Festival benefits from a diverse array of funding sources, reflecting a balanced approach to supporting the arts. Support is provided in part by national and state entities such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and South Arts. Crucially, the festival also receives vital assistance from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the City of Charleston, and a strong network of corporate supporters, community partners, and individual donors. This blend of public and private funding illustrates a pragmatic and effective model for sustaining significant cultural events, demonstrating how a broad base of support can minimize dependency on any single source and foster greater financial resilience for Charleston SC events.

The MOJA Arts Festival remains a cornerstone of Charleston’s cultural identity, exemplifying the strength of community-driven initiatives and the profound impact of individual achievement. As we look forward to the upcoming MOJA Arts Festival events in 2026, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to embrace these opportunities to experience rich cultural expressions. Your participation and support, whether as an attendee, volunteer, or donor, directly contribute to the vitality of the Charleston County community and the enduring success of one of South Carolina’s most cherished gatherings. Engage with these vibrant celebrations and witness firsthand how local initiative can elevate our shared cultural landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOJA Arts Festival?

The MOJA Arts Festival is an annual multi-disciplinary festival that celebrates Black arts and culture, including artistic contributions from African American and Caribbean legacies.

Who is Charlton Singleton, and what is his role at the MOJA Arts Festival?

Charlton Singleton is the Artistic Director of the MOJA Arts Festival. He is a trumpeter, vocalist, composer, a founding member of Ranky Tanky, and a recipient of the 2021 South Carolina Governor’s Award.

When does the MOJA Arts Festival typically take place?

The MOJA Arts Festival is an annual event that typically enlivens the city from late September into early October, with some specific events scheduled at other times, such as February 2026.

Are there any specific MOJA events planned for February 2026?

Yes, for February 2026, “The Roots of a Renaissance” will be held on February 9, and “Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience” will be held on February 10, both at the Dock Street Theatre.

How is the MOJA Arts Festival organized and funded?

The festival is produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the all-volunteer MOJA Planning Committee, with additional support from the MOJA Advisory Board, Friends of MOJA, the National Endowment for the Arts, South Carolina Arts Commission, South Arts, South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the City of Charleston, corporate supporters, and individual donors.

Key Features of the MOJA Arts Festival

Feature	Description
Artistic Director	Charlton Singleton, a Grammy Award-winning artist and recipient of the South Carolina Governor’s Award.
Festival Focus	Celebration of Black arts and culture, emphasizing African American and Caribbean legacies.
Event Types	Multi-disciplinary, including visual arts, music (classical, gospel, jazz, R&B), dance, theatre, poetry, storytelling, children’s activities, crafts, and foodways.
Community Involvement	Organized by an all-volunteer MOJA Planning Committee, supported by civic leaders on the Advisory Board, and Friends of MOJA donors.
Educational Programs	Offers literary lectures, educational outreach, writing workshops, dance master classes, and heritage presentations.
Accessibility	Many events are free to attend, while others require tickets.
Funding Sources	Supported by public grants (National Endowment for the Arts, SC Arts Commission) and private contributions (foundations, corporate sponsors, individual donors, City of Charleston).
Attendance	Attracts an estimated 60,000 attendees annually across its 5 stages.
2026 Specific Events	“The Roots of a Renaissance” (February 9) and “Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience” (February 10), both at Dock Street Theatre.