Simplified: The city's 10-year arts and culture plan is nearing completion, and in the meantime, there are a number of opportunities coming up for both artists and the broader community to participate in events, calls for art submissions or to simply enjoy the art that's already out there.
Why it matters
- Public art has taken more prominence in the city in recent years with the addition of a full-time arts coordinator position. Maren Engel, the current arts coordinator, has been bringing more intentionality to public art as well as leading an effort to create a long-term arts and culture strategic plan.
- As the weather warms up and more folks are out and about, Engel this week shared an update on how that plan is coming along as well as a number of opportunities to engage with public art this spring and summer.
- Those opportunities include a few calls for art – including for submissions for the annual storm drain inlet project, to be featured on city buses and a new opportunity to showcase local art in the Carver Gallery in City Hall.
"Overall, this is a very exciting time for arts and culture in Sioux Falls," Engel said. "We're seeing strong community interest, new oportuniteis for artists and continued investment in making art more visible and accessible throughout the city. Together these efforts are helping us shape a vibrant, creative city that welcomes everyone to experience, participate and be inspired by the arts."
Tell me more
Another aspect of the new Carver Gallery local artist exhibition is a new, annual people's choice award. The winner will get a six-month solo exhibition in the gallery.
- It's also a new way for the city to grow it's public art collection by purchasing a piece of art from a participating local artist each year.
"This is a new program specifically designed to highlight individual artists from the Sioux Falls area and create more opportunities for local talent to be seen in a highly visible public space," Engel said.
What other events are happening soon?
The ArtAbility exhibit and artist reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. April 17 at the Underground by Rehfeld's. This exhibit features artists with disabilities and is sponsored by the city’s Disability Awareness and Accessibility Review Board. More details here.
Another ongoing local art exhibition is the Sioux Falls Art Educators Exhibition on display at the Washington Pavilion. This features art from K-12 educators in the Sioux Falls School District. Learn more here.
It's not an event, per se, but the city also shared an update on the Orpheum Theater mural planned for the north exterior wall of the historic downtown theater. The artwork is by South Dakota-born artist Jenae Porter, who's in the final stages of creating a design that celebrates the intersection of visual and performing arts. That mural is expected to be installed this fall.
What's next with the arts and culture plan?
The plan is also in its final stages and expected to be presented to the City Council in May.
