A.R.T. is an informal grassroots "resource" organization for all artists including visual, performing, and spoken word artists. The organization's goal is to provide leadership, funding and business expertise to artists and to connect them with arts organizations and businesses by offering a single resource of arts-related information to patrons and media. A.R.T. contributes to the economic development and quality of life in Richland and Lexington counties by promoting the arts as the foundation of the knowledge-based economy.