By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota
South Dakota is a land of diversity, from our sweeping and soaring geography to our regionalized industries to our proud Native and immigrant forbearers. The arts in South Dakota are no less diverse—if anything, the creative vision of our citizens is as distinctive as each of them. From schoolrooms to local theater and musical groups to the solid contingent of professional artists who make our state their home, a vast panoply of creative expression is being manifested—and enjoyed—by all South Dakotans.
Created to be a unifying voice for the arts in every community, Arts South Dakota exists to cultivate, enhance and strengthen the rich cultural climate of our state. We are a consistent ally for artists, cultural organizations, performance venues, art teachers, creative community cohorts and aspiring musicians in every corner of South Dakota. We speak for the arts, for the creative spark that is in each of us and for the importance of the cultural environment that inspires us and makes our society better for everyone.
The creative community is significant to all Americans—and the role of a non-partisan, unifying advocacy voice is to keep that community healthy and strong. We connect all South Dakotans through their belief that the arts play a vital part in education, enterprise and everyday life. Arts South Dakota is here to remind all of us that we are better people—and a better state—because we work together to strengthen the creative and cultural bonds that make South Dakota unique.
It’s a responsibility that we take very seriously. As we travel to large and small communities throughout the state, we see the results of our advocacy and ample reasons for optimism about the future of the arts. We’re excited to be a voice for the connections that create South Dakota culture.
To learn more about arts advocacy and ways in which you can be part of this vision, visit us at the Arts South Dakota website, www.artssouthdakota.org.
