Arts South Dakota

09/07/2026

📊 Data Drop: The Truth About Creative Labor — A Labor Day Reality Check

“Data Drop” is our regular look at the numbers behind the creative economy, and this Labor Day we've got a special edition: our partners at NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a national survey of 1,055 adults and found that 78% regard artists as professional workers. That's very good news.

But scratch the surface, and there’s a perception gap: most people picture artists as independent workers—freelancing, gigging, or working for themselves. Yet NORC’s National Survey of Artists shows that 49% of artists actually work for someone else.

Whether gig workers, independent creatives, or colleagues and teammates inside organizations, one thing is universally true — artistic labor deserves the same workforce policies, benefits conversations, and protections as any other profession.

This Labor Day, let's recognize creative labor as labor.

Visualization by artist Mike Renaud. Reshare from

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we recognize the many talented hands that brought Dignity: Of Earth & Sky to life.

From artist Dale Claude Lamphere and the structural engineers to the fabricators, welders, installers, and countless others behind the scenes, Dignity stands today because of their craftsmanship, dedication, and vision.

Their work created more than a sculpture; it created a lasting symbol that continues to inspire millions of visitors.

Today, we celebrate the people whose hard work leaves a legacy for generations to come.

Happy Labor Day.

09/03/2026

Congratulations Reyna Hernandez and Ray Janis! 🥳

Meet the artists of the 2026-27 Rural Regenerator Fellowship Cohort: Reyna Hernandez, Rubina Martini, Sharon Mansur, Rebeka Ndosi, Jennifer Morales, and Ray Janis!

09/01/2026

🏆 Nominations are open for the 28th biennial South Dakota Governor's Awards in the Arts!

Do you know an artist, educator, supporter, or organization making a real difference for the arts in South Dakota? Now's your chance to recognize them.

Arts South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council are seeking nominations across five categories:

🎨 Distinction in Creative Achievement
📚 Outstanding Service in Arts Education
🤝 Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Individual
🏢 Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Organization or Business
🪶 Outstanding Support of the Arts to Native Nations with Lands in South Dakota

📅 Nominations close November 15, 2026
🎉 Winners will be honored February 17, 2027 at Drifters Bar & Grille in Fort Pierre

Nomination forms and details on how to submit are at:
https://artssouthdakota.org/governors-awards-in-the-arts/

🎨"A Warrior Society" by Roger Broer
2025 Governor’s Award Distinction in Creative Achievement Recipient
South Dakota Art for State Buildings Collection

A Warrior Society by Roger Broer 2025 Governor's Award Distinction in Creative Achievement Recipient South Dakota Art for State Buildings Collection We'll see you in 2027! 28th biennial Governor's Awards in the Arts February 17, 2027 Drifters Bar & Grille, Fort Pierre Join us at the Capitol for Arts...

09/01/2026

Arts South Dakota, a non-partisan and non-profit service organization, advances the arts for South Dakotans and our visitors by connecting, advocating, and educating.

08/31/2026

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝟒𝐀 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐭𝐚

The O4A Fellowship is a 16-week, intensive part-time program that equips one fellow in each of 4A Arts’ partner states to work closely with a State Arts Advocacy Organization (SAAO), such as Arts South Dakota. Fellows build advocacy capacity through digital organizing, SAAO membership engagement, and participating in local arts initiatives. They do consequential work for their state while contributing to a cohort of peers doing the same across the country. For those interested in learning more or applying, please visit the O4A Fellows application.

Link in bio.

08/27/2026

https://www.sdpb.org/show/jazz-nightly

When a woman asked pianist Fats Waller what jazz was, he replied, “Lady, if you got to ask, you ain’t got it.” Writer Whitney Balliett described jazz is the “sound of surprise.” However you care to define jazz, we’ve got it on SDPB Radio. Every weeknight Jazz Nightly brings you a wide va...

08/26/2026

Are you a leader with a track record for making things happen in your community? Then you'll want to know that the 2027 Bush Fellowship info is now available on our website. We encourage window shopping! It's a great way to see if a Bush Fellowship is a fit.

On our website, you can find out if you are eligible, what we're looking for in a Fellow, what it takes to apply, what questions we ask in the application, what ideas make for a strong submission, who the 2026 Fellows are - and so much more!

Get started today: https://bit.ly/3U61JbU

And save the date: 2027 Bush Fellowship applications officially open Sep. 22 and close Oct. 6.

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Thanks Arts Midwest!
“Our new tool helps Midwestern creatives and arts organizations explore grants and research funders, cutting through the noise and the overwhelm.”

Arts Funding Finder, a new tool from Arts Midwest, makes it easier for artists, organizations, and funders to find and share grant opportunities.