By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota We hear a lot about the importance of lifetime learning—growing our brainpower and appreciation of the world around us by adding knowledge and new skills as we age. Artists are doing that constantly, providing inspiration and a good example for all of us. As a performing musician, [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota Everyone is busy these days—and with more travel and family events, the calendar fills up fast. The biennial State Arts Conference is May 19-21 in Rapid City—and there are excellent reasons why that should be on your calendar, too! The conference will allow you to make new [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota The South Dakota creative talent pool is deep and wide—and every artist in our state deserves recognition for the work each does in expanding the cultural boundaries of South Dakota. Occasionally an opportunity arises to shine a spotlight on a few representative artists, illustrating the quality of [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota A visual art exhibition on display now in the State Capitol in Pierre might be one of the most important art shows you can see this year—and is a powerful statement about the future of the arts in South Dakota. It’s the latest Governor’s Student Art Competition [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota Last year at this time, most of us were grappling with a holiday season spent in varying degrees of isolation, making connections that mostly involved zoom sessions, virtual concerts and family gatherings around multiple computer screens. We made the best of things, looking forward to a time [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota As the holiday shopping season approaches with the speed of a runaway train, we are being warned about this year’s unusual supply chain woes, as stores struggle to stock shelves. Every industry from auto production to dog grooming is prone to supply chain slowdowns, shortages and unavailabilities. [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives calls for comprehensive legislation to increase access to arts education. The Arts Education for All Act will support and encourage arts education and programming for children, K-12 students, and youth and adults involved in the justice system. [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota Students are back in school, with art projects, band rehearsals and class plays stimulating young minds in classrooms throughout South Dakota. These educational experiences in the arts expand students’ horizons, develop critical thinking capabilities and spark creative joy. And for many, art classes, performances and creative endeavors [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota Throughout the state, artists, neighbors and visitors are finding a connection through the power of the arts—and gathering to embrace arts opportunities in South Dakota communities. The resiliency of our cultural community during the pandemic is inspiring. Artists, youth and community leaders have worked together to keep [...]
By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota After a year of Zooming I was finally able to get out without my computer and marvel at the amazing state of create we live in. We've all been ready to get back to making and experiencing art—and it seems as if everything is happening at once. One [...]
