South Dakota Arts Council Staff and Board

Established in 1966 and funded by the State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, the South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) is a state agency serving South Dakotans and their communities through the arts. Recognizing the importance of creativity in the lives of all South Dakotans, the Council makes quality arts accessible throughout the state by providing grants, services and information to artists, arts organizations, schools and the public. The Council is the advisory board to the SDAC staff within the Department of Tourism. Council members are appointed by the Governor.

South Dakota Arts Council Board

Board Member

Office

Lee Ann Roripaugh, Vermillion

Chairperson

Joanna Lawler, Rapid City

Vice Chairperson

Dohui Kim, Sioux Falls Treasurer

Nan Venhuizen, Sioux Falls

Secretary

Roger Broer, Hill City

 

Mary Bordeaux, Rapid City

 

John Mogen, Sioux Falls

 

Jane Rasmussen, Sisseton

 

Cristen Roghair, Okaton

 

Josh Spies, Sioux Falls  

James L. Walker, Bath

 

South Dakota Arts Council Staff,
Department of Tourism

Staff Office

Patrick Baker

Director

Rebecca Cruse

Deputy Director

Kate Vandel

Arts Grant Specialist & Accessibility Coordinator

Sarah Carlson

Arts Program Specialist

Anne Hatch

South Dakota Traditional Arts Program Manager

*Karen Hirsch/Hallie Getz

Payments Officer (*Non-SDAC Staff)

Beliefs. We maintain these public values:

  • Greater public awareness of the value of the arts fosters sustained public and private support.
  • Arts Education stimulates creativity, communication, and lifelong learning.
  • Universal access to the arts is intrinsic to the well-being of all South Dakotans.
  • Artists are central to the creative environment of South Dakota.
  • Arts organizations contribute to vibrant, progressive communities.
  • The arts play an essential role in cultural tourism
South Dakota Arts Council Strategic Planning:

Three driving forces guide us through our plan as we Strive for Equity: Learn, Connect, Progress.

  • K-12 Arts Education: Work to improve access to and inclusion of arts education in K-12 schools.
  • Workforce Development: Promote youth participation in the arts to develop skills and careers. Motivate and support artists and arts businesses to flourish in our state. Learn; Goal 3. Professional Development: Provide and support continuing professional development opportunities to artists and arts leaders throughout South Dakota.
  • Resources and Information: Develop regular, ongoing methods for artists, organizations, and communities to access information and resources to support their needs in the arts.
  • Outreach and Technical Assistance: Increase efforts to include the voices of all South Dakotans and access to staff or other professionals to assist in individual and community efforts to advance the arts.
  • Cooperation: Advance shared goals through partnerships with other state agencies, private entities, and the business community.
  • Community Development: Foster strong communities locally and statewide with a sense of place that is creative and beneficial to all.
  • The Essential Arts: Clearly and effectively communicate the importance of the arts in education, community livability, and the economy to policy-makers and stakeholders throughout South Dakota.

Each of these goals has major objectives we will strive to meet throughout the three-year plan. We continue to develop our work plan and a performance measurement tool to track our progress.

The Strategic Plan contains a more detailed description of each individual goal.

Arts Expansion Policy

The Council continues to encourage active cultural participation of ethnic and minority groups, particularly Native Americans, living in the state.

  • The Council promotes the development of artistic work and presentation models suited to the state’s diverse resources and needs of small towns and geographically isolated areas.
  • Educational opportunities at the state’s post-secondary institutions are encouraged and supported for the development of artists to work in South Dakota.
  • The Council strives to encourage private and public sector support of cultural development, planning and funding of the arts in South Dakota.
  • The Council seeks to remove social, economic and physical barriers to cultural activities, to ensure that all citizens have a role in cultural policy and decision making.

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