Advancing the arts By South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem

There’s no place quite like South Dakota. With the rich traditions and the creative talents of our people, South Dakota’s cultural heritage and artistic vision are incredibly valuable resources. This year, we have the opportunity to celebrate our arts community with the Governor’s Awards in the Arts. I’m thrilled to congratulate this year’s recipients and thank them for their work to preserve and enhance the culture of art in South Dakota.

This wouldn’t be possible without the vision of the South Dakota Arts Council and Arts South Dakota to advance arts across our state. Building on a strong foundation, these two organizations have developed programs to bolster South Dakota’s artists and creative organizations. Furthermore, these groups have worked to educate schools and communities about the value of art while allowing them to experience and appreciate it for themselves.

We have a lot to be proud of in South Dakota when it comes to our arts programs. The quality of South Dakota’s arts community has put our state in the public eye, both nationally and internationally. We have worked to make the arts a creative expression, initiating and growing the Art for State Buildings Collection and continuing the touring Governor’s Biennial Art Exhibition, which highlights South Dakota artists and their work.

As we look to make South Dakota a stronger place for the next generation, we must continually encourage young people to try new things and develop new passions—especially when it comes to the arts.

The art and cultural offerings of South Dakota are also essential to our state’s tourism industry—and a major draw for vacationers and business travelers. From the world-famous sculpture on Mount Rushmore to a kaleidoscope of galleries and museums to the vibrant sounds of our many musicians, South Dakota is a state filled with artistic expression.

There’s something for everyone in South Dakota—that’s part of the reason I love our state so much. And as we look to make South Dakota a stronger place for the next generation, we must continually encourage young people to try new things and develop new passions—especially when it comes to the arts.

I’m thankful for the last century of South Dakota’s art culture, and I look forward to the innovation that the next generation will bring to the table. Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Your creativity is an inspiration to all.