FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Dec. 16, 2011
CONTACT:  Rebecca DallaGrana, Assistant Director, SDAC

SDAC grant deadlines approaching

PIERRE - South Dakota artists, arts organizations and other nonprofit groups are invited to seek grant support from the South Dakota Arts Council to assist in funding arts projects throughout the state. Some granting categories have been reorganized and guidelines have been revised, so applicants should take extra time to review the eligibility and requirements before beginning the application process. Applicants have until March 1 to apply for projects and activities that will occur July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013.

South Dakota artists may apply for funding through four grant programs:

•  Artist Fellowships of $5,000 are awarded to South Dakota artists of exceptional talent in any discipline or medium to recognize past artistic achievement and encourage future artistic growth.
•  Artist Project Grants between $1,000 and $2,000 are awarded to talented South Dakota artists in any discipline or medium to fund specific arts-related projects that not only further the artist’s career but also benefit the public in some way.
•  Artist Collaboration Grants encourage South Dakota artists to collaborate among themselves or with an out-of-state artist in the creation of a joint project or activity that will significantly benefit the artists and the state. A maximum of $6,000 may be requested.
•  Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants promote the continuation of folk and traditional arts and culture by providing up to $4,000 in support of a master folk artist to teach qualified apprentices.

South Dakota nonprofit organizations can seek funding support in the following categories this year:

•  Arts Challenge Grants provide general operating support to non-profit arts organizations with annual budgets greater than $20,000. The Arts Challenge Grants program has been divided into two categories for the upcoming fiscal year, replacing the Small Organization Season Support grant.
•  Statewide Services Grants fund statewide cultural service organizations partnering with the South Dakota Arts Council to help meet the goals of the SDAC’s long-range plan. Organizations must be invited to apply.
•  Project Grants assist non-profit organizations in the presentation of a single arts event or a series of similar and related arts activities that benefit the general public.
•  Importation of Musicians Grants enable small South Dakota orchestras that don’t receive funding in another grant category to improve the quality of their performance seasons by importing musicians from outside their local communities to supplement local orchestra personnel.

Complete guidelines and applications for each of these grant opportunities are available on the SDAC Web site: www.artscouncil.sd.gov. With the exception of Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants, all applications must be submitted online through the South Dakota Arts Council's E-grant system on or before March 1 – including, for the first time, the Arts Challenge Grants. Hard-copy applications submitted through the mail will not be accepted. SDAC staff will be available to help assess specific needs and assist in the development of grant proposals for nonprofit organizations and artists. Contact the South Dakota Arts Council by calling 605-773-3301 or by emailing sdac@state.sd.us with any questions.

The mission of the Arts Council, an office of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, is to provide grants and services to artists, arts institutions, schools and other nonprofit organizations throughout the state with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the South Dakota State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.