Art for State Buildings
2025 Artwork Open Call
The South Dakota Arts Council announces the 2025 open call for the Art For State Buildings Program. Artwork selected will be purchased for display in publicly accessible areas in state government buildings in and near the State Capitol Building in Pierre, SD. Purchase proposals are accepted on an annual basis. The South Dakota Arts Council manages the collection and the program.
The deadline to submit proposals is March 23, 2025. Submit online [linked here]
Contact program coordinators Sarah Carlson (sarah.carlson@state.sd.us, 605.773.3102) or
Patrick Baker (patrick.baker@state.sd.us, 605.773.5507) if you have questions.
Program Summary [PDF linked here]
Program Press Release [linked here]
The Art For State Buildings program collection currently features 125 original artworks. The collection is available to view online [linked here]
State Statute 1-22-10
The Art for State Buildings program is a result of State statute 1-22-10 [linked here], which stipulates that state buildings should include works of art for public display. The statute was funded by the State Legislature in 2007 when Governor Michael Rounds recommended an annual $20,000 budget to purchase art, creating a State Art Collection.
In order to receive this appropriation, five prominent South Dakota artists donated works of art to the State valued at over $20,000. Sculptor Dale C. Lamphere, who at that time was President of South Dakotans for the Arts, launched the idea and found generous artists to donate. The challenge put forth by Dale and four other artists to the Governor and Legislature was that the work would only be given to the State if the Legislature appropriated an equal amount on an on-going basis for the Art for State Buildings Program.
The challenge worked and the appropriation became a reality. In January, 2008, at a Pierre Cultural Heritage Center reception, the works were accepted on behalf of the State of South Dakota.
Selection
Proposals are reviewed by a five-member advisory committee to the SD Arts Council, the agency charged with managing the program. As set up in statute, the selection committee is made up of a building representative; a community member with visual arts expertise appointed by the mayor of Pierre; a representative of the agency; a visual arts professional appointed by the Arts Council; and an Arts Council member with expertise in visual arts.
Selection of artwork is based on quality of the work; the artwork’s relevance to South Dakota environment, history, heritage or culture; professional experience of the arts; permanence and safety, as required for public artworks.