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Focusing on South Dakota’s art world
By Pat Boyd, Executive Director, South Dakotans for
the Arts
The northern Black Hills dressed in autumn colors will be the setting
for an exciting opportunity for artists, arts supporters and members of local
arts groups. South Dakotans for the Arts (SoDA) and the South Dakota Arts
Council (SDAC) are sponsoring a statewide arts conference October 1- 3 in
Spearfish. With a theme of “Celebrating Community Connections,” the conference
is open to anyone with an interest in the arts in South Dakota.
The conference has three main purposes. First, by bringing in experts in community arts development and the creation of an environment encouraging to artists and arts groups, we will provide hands-on training for people across the state. The information collected at this conference can be carried back to your community to influence local programs in the arts.
Second, participants will be networking with each other, sharing success stories, helping each other analyze and overcome challenges and discovering other people with similar interests, concerns and ideas. Knowing of the existence of a thriving, active arts community throughout South Dakota helps during those times when an artist—or a local arts booster—feels the need for support.
Third, obtaining feedback from you—individuals producing art and supporting art in every corner of our state—will aid SoDA and SDAC in preparing new arts programs that will genuinely meet the needs of communities throughout South Dakota. By sharing with us your daily challenges, your long-term goals and your own analysis of our strengths and weaknesses, you will be shaping arts policy for years to come.
Workshops have been developed to focus on four vital areas. To enhance the efforts of our working artists, we will study the creative environment. Cultural tourism—a vital part of the state’s 2010 Initiative—will be a major workshop track, as will community development and the arts. Communication workshops have been added at your request. In addition, many of our most talented South Dakota artists will be performing in arts showcases throughout the conference. You can be a part of it!
For more information, or to register for the conference, call the South Dakota Arts Council at 1-800-423-6666 or visit www.sdarts.org, a joint website of South Dakotans for the Arts and the South Dakota Arts Council.