FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Shari Kosel, Program & Communications Director
shari@artssouthdakota.org
605-252-5979 ext. 1
April 10, 2026
Rapid City to Host 2026 State Arts Conference
Rapid City, S.D. — Artists, arts advocates, organizational leaders, and community members from across the state will gather in downtown Rapid City for the 2026 South Dakota Arts Conference, taking place April 24–25.
Sponsored by the South Dakota Arts Council and Arts South Dakota, the conference will feature a keynote presentation “Resilience and Recovery Through the Arts” from Christopher Bailey, Co-Founding Director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and Founder of the World Health Organization’s Arts and Health Program in Geneva, Switzerland.
The 2026 State Arts Conference offers opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate with others engaged in South Dakota’s vibrant cultural community. Attendees can participate in a variety of practical sessions designed to build skills and strengthen the impact of the arts in communities statewide.
Sessions will explore topics including curatorial practices, accessibility and inclusivity, artist business development, arts in healing, and creativity in the age of AI. In addition to workshops, the conference will include networking events, social gatherings, and creative excursions throughout downtown Rapid City.
Full conference details, including workshop presenters and schedules, are available at www.ArtsSouthDakota.org.
“The sessions were selected to inspire artists, arts advocates, community volunteers, and arts organizations across the state,” said conference coordinator Shari Kosel. “There is truly something for everyone—experiences that will help our statewide arts community grow and thrive.”
Registration is open through April 17. For registration, costs, and a full schedule, visit www.ArtsSouthDakota.org.
Arts South Dakota, funded entirely by donor contributions and grants, is a a non-partisan and non-profit service organization, advancing the arts for South Dakotans and our visitors by connecting, advocating, and educating.
South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
