By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota

With South Dakota’s humanities programming—including proven children’s literacy projects—threatened because of the elimination of the federal appropriation for the National Endowment for the Humanities, it’s time to take steps to ensure that a similar funding cut is not carried out at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Senators Thune and Rounds and Representative Johnson have always been supporters of the cultural programs and arts events that make South Dakota strong and creatively viable. They have been our voices in Washington ensuring that the critical funding for the arts through the NEA—funding that comes straight through the South Dakota Arts Council to communities, schools and Native Nations throughout our state—is preserved and protected. Now is the time to remind them of their past support and enlist their voices in protecting the arts in South Dakota.

Recent budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency have weakened a variety of cultural efforts and initiatives throughout our country, including at libraries, museums and schools. In a rural state like South Dakota, NEA funding is essential to the survival of educational curriculum, arts programming and statewide support for the arts of every kind in communities of all sizes. 

Thankfully, the South Dakota Legislature and state government have also supported and funded the arts in our state. But they cannot keep South Dakota’s cultural environment strong and vibrant without the contribution of NEA and its federal funding. Funding cuts to the NEA would impact children, communities and institutions across South Dakota that depend on the arts to enrich lives and support cultural programming.

South Dakota’s cultural landscape has been vital, colorful and lively, thanks to the South Dakota Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. You can take steps today to help ensure that legacy of creative enterprise exists into the future. Please contact Senators Thune and Rounds and Representative Johnson and tell them how important the arts are to you and your family and urge them to support and strengthen the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Please visit www.ArtsSouthDakota.org for links to our Congressional delegation and to learn more ways to advocate for the arts in South Dakota. Your voice makes a difference for our state! 

How You Can Help:
  1. Call or email your members of Congress.
  2. Tell them why the arts matter. Share how their funding has impacted your community.
  3. Spread the word. Forward to colleagues, friends, and fellow advocates.