By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota South Dakota is a land of diversity, from our sweeping and soaring geography to our regionalized industries to our proud Native and immigrant forbearers. The arts in South Dakota are no less diverse—if anything, the creative vision of our citizens is as distinctive as each of them. [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota The future of South Dakota’s creative environment, cultural education opportunities and professional arts careers is shaped by decisions made in Pierre and Washington, DC. On November 5, your vote for candidates who care about the arts will be one of the most important advocacy steps you [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota South Dakota is fortunate that arts instructors have always joined together to enhance their skills and advocate for increased support for their disciplines. Arts South Dakota has recently collaborated with several of these arts educator associations to establish the South Dakota Arts Education Advocacy Cohort, providing [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota It’s federal funding time again, and Congress is looking to give the arts a raise—with your help! Recently the Senate Appropriations Committee allocated an increase in funding to $209 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the FY’25 Interior Appropriations bill. That’s a [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota The biennial State Arts Conference earlier this month in Sioux Falls brought together champions of the arts from across South Dakota for two days of meaningful workshops, dynamic speakers and the exchange of creative ideas. But the most important aspect of the conference was creating a place [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota One of the main keynote speakers for the biennial State Arts Conference June 7-8 in Sioux Falls is Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research at Americans for the Arts. Randy travels the nation, sharing cultural information and the impact of the arts with groups in every [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota The arts touch the lives of everyone in South Dakota—and the biennial State Arts Conference is a celebration for anyone who enjoys our state’s creative culture. The conference runs June 7-8 in Sioux Falls at the Washington Pavilion. Now is the time to mark your calendar and [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota The 2024 issue of South Dakota Arts Journal just came out this month, mailed to thousands of South Dakotans who are members of Arts South Dakota or subscribers to South Dakota Magazine—and the enthusiasm for this annual arts publication continues to grow. Our first issue sold [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota Each community in South Dakota is home to individuals who are creating art. In many of our cities and towns, a Community Arts Council has been formed to promote and celebrate local art while encouraging and supporting their creative citizens. Home is Where the Art is, [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota One of the questions that arises each year about this time, especially among arts advocates, is the question of government support for cultural activities and programs. I’ve heard from some people who think that private individuals, foundations and companies should provide the funding that keeps the [...]
