By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota
Each community in South Dakota is home to individuals who are creating art. In many of our cities and towns, a Community Arts Council has been formed to promote and celebrate local art while encouraging and supporting their creative citizens. Home is Where the Art is, a new partnership between Arts South Dakota and Lamar Advertising, is spotlighting the efforts of our state’s Community Arts Councils by displaying the work of local artists on billboards throughout South Dakota.
A dozen billboards are going up right now from Sioux Falls to Spearfish, and from Aberdeen to Yankton. Each features a bold and colorful visual artwork chosen by local arts organizations in nearby communities, along with the logo of that Community Arts Council. The billboards, which have been provided at no charge, will be on display for four weeks and until the space is taken over by the next sponsor. The local artists whose creations have been chosen received compensation from Arts South Dakota for the use of their work.
Home is Where the Art is provides a bold and graphic presentation of the wide range of visual art being crafted by South Dakota artists. Each billboard also recognizes the local arts council that participated in the project and heightens awareness of the role of regional arts organizations in promoting our cultural environment.
The billboards spotlight a wide range of subjects while retaining a uniquely local view. Visitors who discover this art during their travels learn about our state while experiencing original South Dakota art. Local residents who encounter this explosion of art on their roadways can be proud of our artists and the contributions they are making in our communities.
To see all 12 billboards and their locations, and learn more about South Dakota Community Arts Councils, go to artssouthdakota.org and look for Home is Where the Art is billboard project.
