2026 South Dakota Arts Conference & Arts Leadership Institute Pre-Conference
April 24 & 25, 2026
Keynote Speakers, Presenters & Performers
FULL PRE-CONFERENCE & CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The speakers, presenters & performers are subject to change. Content will be added when confirmed.
Christopher Bailey
Co-founding Director, Jameel Arts and Health Lab, Founder of the WHO Arts and Health Program
Geneva, Switzerland
Pre-Conference presenter & Saturday lunch keynote
bio
Saturday, April 25 Lunch Keynote:
Resilience and Recovery Through the Arts
Artists have known since time immemorial of the healing power of the arts. But what does science have to say? Christopher Bailey, Co-Founding Director of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab and the founder of the Arts and Health Program at the World Health Organization, explores the science of the healing power of the arts through real life experiences from around the world. What explains the feeling we get from singing and dancing together, or gazing out at a beautiful sunset? What evolutionary purpose does it serve? Bailey will describe the latest evidence on the arts’ healing ability and why the arts are an essential ‘health behavior’ just like regular exercise and good nutrition. And beyond that, how the arts can contribute to and reinforce community and shared identity, a key contributor to resilience.
Alison Boughn, PhD
Associate Professor, Wayne State College
ACS, ATR-BC, LIMHP (NE), LMHC (IA), LPC-MH (SD), NCC, QMHP, TF-CBT
Arts in Healing SD Intensive
bio
Ariadne (Ari) Albright, MFA
South Dakota Arts Council Creative Aging SD Coordinator
Creative Care, LLC
Jessie Park, LPC-MH, QMHP
Sanford Arts at Sanford USD Medical Center Program Coordinator
Arts in Healing SD Intensive
bio
Ashley Zimmer Larsen LPC-MH, ATR, NCC, TCTSY-F
mental health therapist, art therapist, trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator, and artist
Susan Harder, MS, LPC-MH, ATR, LAC
registered art therapist, licensed professional counselor, and licensed addictions counselor
Courtney Cihak, BS
Art Specialist with the Sanford Arts program
Peter Strong
Racing Magpie
Co-director / Co-founder
Ashley Pourier
Čhatkú Arts Center at Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud
Curator of Exhibits and Collections
Art Outside the Gallery: Community Impact at Oyate Health Center Walking Tour
4:30-6:00PM
bio
MAIN CONFERENCE, SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Presenter session information will be added as received.
Young Ae Kim
Professor Department of Art
University of South Dakota
Amber Zora
curator, interdisciplinary artist, instructor, and military veteran
https://amberzora.com
Curatorial Practices Around Difficult Topics
bio
Heath Johnson
Executive Director
The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center
Building Creativity Into the System: Designing Foundations That Scale
bio
Mary Bordeaux, EdD
(Sicangu Oglala Lakota)
Co-director / Co-founder
Racing Magpie
Lakota Language, Culture & Community as Curatorial Frameworks
bio
Molina Two Bulls
(Oglala Lakota)
Artist
https://www.molinatwobulls.com/
Lakota Language, Culture & Community as Curatorial Frameworks
bio
Dr. Cindy T. Davis
Assistant Professor of Art Education \ Artist
Northern State University
Leading with Care and Empathy: Engaged DT-Based Practices for Collaborative Inquiry and Arts Problem Solving
bio
Rose Haugar
Executive Director
Yankton Area Arts
Art for All: Building Inclusive Creative Communities Through Collaborative Partnerships
bio
Kolby Watson
Direct Support Specialist
Community Day Program at Ability Building Services
Art for All: Building Inclusive Creative Communities Through Collaborative Partnerships
bio
Featured performers:
Performers will be added as confirmed.
Bodhi Linde Blues Trio
Blues Jazz Western Guitar
Friday night opening reception performer
The Dahl Arts Center
6:30-8:30 PM
bio
Starr Chief Eagle
Lakota Artist & Hoop Dancer Extraordinaire
Saturday morning opening performer with dancers and a drum group
Yesterday Ballroom
bio
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.
John S. Nelson
Retired professor of English
Saturday lunch performer
South Dakota State Poetry Society
Yesterday Ballroom
bio
