Rapid City, SD — The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is thrilled to announce Home in Focus, a community photography show and competition centered around South Dakota as home. Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit for this exhibition that celebrates the beauty, stories, and spirit of this region and their sense of home.

This year’s theme invites you to explore your sense of home, not just as a place or physical location, but as a feeling. We invite you to tell the story of your connection to this land through photographs. What does home look like to you? Maybe it’s the familiar bend in a back road, the changing light on a prairie hill, the people who live here, or the place where generations of your family have gathered. Through imagery, we hope to capture the ways people see, experience, and find meaning in their home spaces.

Photography is a powerful form of storytelling. Each image offers a glimpse into how we belong to this place, how the land shapes us, and how we, in turn, shape our sense of home within it.

We encourage photographers to explore beyond the surface of an image and capture the story behind the image. This is what we are looking for:

  • The story of the landscape – the vast prairies, rugged hills, open skies, and quiet corners that define the region.
  • The people, places and things that make this area feel like home.
  • Intimate details of daily life – small moments that tell a larger story.
  • Generational ties – places that hold family or community history.
  • Everyday beauty – the familiar sights that are often overlooked.

RCAC assembled a panel of esteemed local artists, Allen Morris, Tass Thacker, and Eunice Straight Head, to judge the entries. Photographers are invited to submit their work in three distinct categories: Youth (18 and under), Adult Amateur/Hobbyist (over 18), and Adult Experienced/Professional (over 18).  Prizes for each category are as follows:

  • Youth Category: 1st Place: $75; 2nd Place: $50; 3rd Place: $25
  • Adult Amateur/Hobbyist Category: 1st Place: $75; 2nd Place: $50; 3rd Place: $25
  • Adult Experienced/Professional Category: 1st Place: $100; 2nd Place: $75; 3rd Place: $50

Additional honors include a Best of Show Award with a $125 prize and a People’s Choice Award with a $100 prize.

Submission Information:

  • Deadline for Entries: Friday, February 6, 2026
  • Entry Fees: $10 per photo for adults; FREE for youth
  • How to Enter: Submit entries online at thedahl.org/photoshow

Important Dates:

  • Exhibition Dates: March 13 – May 2, 2026
  • Opening Reception: March 13, 2025 from 5-7pm at the Dahl Arts Center

The reception and awards for the Reflect exhibition will be held on March 13 from 5-7pm. All exhibitions at the Dahl are free and open for the community to attend.

For additional details, please visit thedahl.org/photoshow.