(Editor's note: This is just one part of a series of stories about local candidates in the upcoming June 2 primary, municipal and school board election. Find more coverage here.)

Simplified: Sioux Falls has an increasing public art presence in part thanks to a new full-time arts coordinator. As we see more public art across town, Sioux Falls Simplified asked City Council candidates how they'd approach decisions related to funding these projects.

Here's what we asked:

The city is in the process of developing an arts and culture master plan, and a recent survey showed most residents support city funding for the arts. How would you, personally, approach decisions about funding public art projects?

Here's what candidates had to say (in reverse alphabetical order, because sometimes you've gotta mix it up):

At-Large A

Juliann Perrigo Talkington was unable to meet in-person or respond to questions sent virtually in time for publication. This will be updated if/when those responses are received or a meeting is set.

James Oppenheimer said he's developed more of an appreciation for music after seeing his son get very involved in the Lincoln High School marching band.

"People can unite behind music, and things that bring us together are so important in today's society," Oppenheimer said. "There's so much that divides us ... I think funding for the arts is really important. I appreciate the additional position the city had for an arts (coordinator). The SculptureWalk is a crucial part of Sioux Falls. It's something unique to us. I’m all in favor of that."

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Vince Danh said he's 200% behind funding the arts, and he doesn't want to see the city's in-process arts and culture plan to just sit on a shelf, but rather to "be a living, organic, breathing thing just like the arts are."

"The arts are so vital to the growth of our city, not just for our youth but for everybody," Danh said. "So when we have public officials that are questioning what is the validity of painting a gutter or the validity of putting wrapping on electrical boxes – it's tough. But we have to come to the table and try to explain that, hey, we may not entirely get it ourselves, but there is a benefit that is felt and that you can touch that you can see. The payoff is not right now. The payoff is in the future."

At-Large B

Samantha Scarlata:

"I think the public arts – you walk around downtown, there's certain things that the art sculptures come in from out of state. I think that should be done locally in Sioux Falls or at least in South Dakota to get more people locally exposed."

Rich Merkouris:

"This is an area I've grown in a little bit. There were some changes happening when I first started – I was kinda like, 'oh should we be doing this?' But I think what we did by adding the arts coordinator position, it kind of infused the idea of the arts and culture across all things rather than being a silo onto itself. I think that was a really healthy move."

Merkouris added that the challenge he wrestles with is from where the funding should come – sales tax, entertainment tax, etc.

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