By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota
This year’s election is vitally important to the arts in South Dakota. The pandemic response has dramatically illustrated the significance of self-expression, creative endeavors and the role of artists in our daily lives. At the same time, artists and performers are limited in their ability to earn, and arts education can easily get lost in the adaptations to pandemic educational schedules. This year on November 3, it’s more important than ever to Vote smART! and help shape the future of the creative community in our state and our nation.
Each of us has the power to express our feelings about the arts in South Dakota—just by voting. Our cultural heritage makes us who we are as a people. We encourage everyone who cares about creativity and the arts to be active citizens. The best way to advocate for a strong and supportive arts policy in South Dakota is to vote November 3.
In September, Arts South Dakota sent a survey to all candidates for state and national races in an effort to understand their positions on arts related issues. Our goal is to share that information with you through www.artssouthdakota.org. Just go to that site and click on the Vote smART! button to read the responses of South Dakota candidates. We hope you will find this information useful as one factor in casting your vote next month.
A healthy arts ecosystem must have the support of its political leaders. By asking the position of each candidate on arts related issues, we’re making it clear that one way a candidate can earn your vote is to support the arts in South Dakota.
YOUR vote is an essential element in building a stronger creative community in your hometown and all across South Dakota. By casting your vote along with your neighbors and arts advocates all across our state, you make a bold statement to candidates and elected officials about the importance of our creative community. To learn more about candidate views and arts advocacy, visit us at the Arts South Dakota website, www.artssouthdakota.org and click on the Vote smART! button.
