Governor’s Awards spotlight outstanding service to the arts

By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota

This month the South Dakota Arts Council and Arts South Dakota announced the biennial Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Each recipient is an inspiring example for all of us, often demonstrating a lifetime of commitment to creativity, cultural enhancement and sharing the arts with students, audiences and other citizens throughout South Dakota. 

Receiving this year’s awards are:  Roger Broer, Hill City, for Distinction in Creative Achievement; Paul Schiller, Sioux Falls, for Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Individual; Mary Wipf, Deadwood, for Outstanding Service in Arts Education; Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, for Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Organization or Business, and Dream Catchers Artists Guild, for Outstanding Support of the Arts to Native Nations with Lands in South Dakota.

This year’s presentation of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts is the 27^th showcase of those who have shown outstanding support for our state’s creative environment. The South Dakota Arts Council, who along with Arts South Dakota sponsors the awards, made honoring arts community leaders one of its first tasks shortly after its creation nearly 60 years ago. The biennial award presentations have given our governors the opportunity to acknowledge the value and vitality of the arts in South Dakota.

Most importantly, the Governor’s Awards in the Arts shine an inspirational spotlight on the actions of our fellow South Dakotans. From honoring individual artists to arts organizations, the vital efforts that build, enhance and share our state’s vibrant arts community are recognized. The people and organizations chosen for these honors are our neighbors, friends, teachers and fellow artists. The recipients show us what we can achieve through our own contributions to the arts in South Dakota.

Please visit www.ArtsSouthDakota.org to read the stories of this year’s Governor’s Awards in the Arts recipients—and congratulate them if you have the opportunity. Each of them has truly made a difference for our state.