By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota
December marks the season of giving. As we consider those to whom we wish to be generous, we need to remember our nonprofit arts community—this year more than any other in recent memory. To retain programs that spark our children’s creativity, to maintain the performance art opportunities that help our communities thrive and to build creative possibility for all South Dakotans, now is the time to give.
Here in South Dakota, we have a vibrant cultural environment. Community arts councils, local schools and special events all help to bring a holiday focus to performances, exhibitions and seasonal shows—and South Dakotans turn out to fill auditoriums across the state. As important as those ticket sales are to the strength of our creative organizations, charitable end-of-year giving to arts nonprofits is equally vital to maintaining our state’s arts opportunities.
We have a unique nonprofit ecosystem in our country that depends on generous donations and active volunteers, especially this year. The arts community is fortunate in the continued support of advocates of all ages, not just in the larger cities, but in communities of every size.
One easy way to support the arts is to give the gift of South Dakota creativity. Choose a book by one of our state’s authors or photographers, jewelry created by a local artisan, a print or painting by a South Dakota artist or tickets to a special performance, perhaps a musical event planned for the coming year.
This is the time of year for all of us to remember that the arts community does not thrive without individual support. Your favorite arts nonprofit organization probably has an online system for you to support its efforts financially—as does Arts South Dakota.
For more information about keeping arts nonprofits and community arts councils strong in the coming year and a calendar of upcoming arts events to help celebrate the season, check out our website at www.ArtsSouthDakota.org.
