Sioux Falls Arts Council

The Sioux Falls Arts Council is a 501 c 3 non profit organization dedicated to fostering a stronger, more vibrant art community by providing vital support for the visual, performing and musical arts. Since our inception in 1969 the SFAC focus has shifted and evolved to fit the needs of the arts community and our growing city. We are also addressing artists and arts organizations needs in the wake of COVID-19 with our online resources, artist directory and virtual round-table discussions.  We continue to promote all the arts through our websites event calendar,  fiscally sponsor budding non-profit organizations and special projects, provide scholarship opportunities as well as advocating for the arts to enhance quality of life for all.

Throughout the pandemic we have worked hard to continue to create opportunities that nurture the arts community and grow as an organizations. We are excited to share some updates and projects with you.

Art Box – In 2020 the Sioux Falls Arts Council partnered with the City of Sioux Falls and DTSF for the Downtown Art Box Project. The goal was to transform utility boxes into a unique urban art gallery highlighting our divers community of artists. We worked with organizations such as; Siouxland Libraries, Lutheran Social Services, Bishop Dudley, St Francis House, Union Gospel Missions, Sioux Falls Pride, Equality SD, SD Voices for Peace, the Transformation Project, and CARNES to create an inclusive and equitable process. Overall we received 176 submissions and through a jury narrowed it down to 46 artists. We then collected and documented the artwork that was sent off for printing, helped with placement and organizing of all the artists data. We are proud to say as of September 2021 all 26 boxes are up and ready for viewing along with a self guided tour you can take through the DTSF app.

Artist Micro Grants Pilot - Over the last two years we have engaged with hundreds of local artists and a variety of arts organizations to explore the needs of the arts community and time and time again we hear the same response, “artists need more funding opportunities”.   Working with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation we recently received $60,000 to launch an Artist Micro Grants Pilot Program in over the next three years to help with that need. These Micro Grants between $250 - $500 will be awarded to artists of all disciplines for; materials, studio space, continued education, equipment rentals or just to take some time off to focus on their craft. We believe we can positively impact 50+ artists per year and see those effects ripple through our community. Stay tuned as we launch this program in 2022!

Please consider donating to the Sioux Falls Arts Council and help support our efforts of uplifting all of the arts in Sioux Falls!